Canadian Division (Canada Cup) Part IX

[Sidney the Kidney]

As much of a cool story as Vancouver making the playoffs would be, I just think it's too much of an uphill battle for them to do it. 8 point gap with this little left in the season is significant.

 

[canuckking1]

Canucks have really owned Marner and Matthews in these last 4 wins against the leafs. Not only have they held the duo to zero even-strength points they're also a combined -13 over those 4 games.

 

[AvroArrow]

As much of a cool story as Vancouver making the playoffs would be, I just think it's too much of an uphill battle for them to do it. 8 point gap with this little left in the season is significant.

4 games in hand and 4 games vs Ott. Uphill battle for sure but the schedule is favorable. A few games vs Calgary who's looked pretty bad as well. Not probable but if they make it I wont be surprised.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

4 games in hand and 4 games vs Ott. Uphill battle for sure but the schedule is favorable. A few games vs Calgary who's looked pretty bad as well. Not probable but if they make it I wont be surprised.

They need to win all 4 games in hand just to draw even. And even then Montreal would own the tiebreaker (regulation wins).

Also, I think fatigue eventually takes over. The number of games the Canucks play within a short time period is ridiculous.

Not impossible, just not very likely. Montreal would have to go something like 3-10 to end the year for Vancouver to have a good chance. If Montreal's anywhere even close to .500 to end the year (6-6-1, 5-5-3, etc.) and it's almost impossible.

 

[AvroArrow]

Canucks have really owned Marner and Matthews in these last 4 wins against the leafs. Not only have they held the duo to zero even-strength points they're also a combined -13 over those 4 games.

Holtby 37 saves, .925svp - Rittich 21 saves .821svp
Holtby 37 saves, .949svp - Campbell 21 saves .825svp
Demko 31 saves .969svp - Hutchinson 25 saves .893svp
Demko 36 saves .949 - Andersen 27 saves .871svp

The Canucks had godly goaltending, but i'm pretty sure you knew that. 5 on 5 play wasn't even remotely close, canucks had no business being in any of those games they were completely outclassed everywhere except goaltending, as a leafs fan i'm truly jealous of the goaltending the canucks were able to get. Vezina level goaltending for one team during those 4 games, dog shit goaltending for Toronto during those games.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

They need to win all 4 games in hand just to draw even. And even then Montreal would own the tiebreaker (regulation wins).

Also, I think fatigue eventually takes over. The number of games the Canucks play within a short time period is ridiculous.

Not impossible, just not very likely. Montreal would have to go something like 3-10 to end the year for Vancouver to have a good chance. If Montreal's anywhere even close to .500 to end the year (6-6-1, 5-5-3, etc.) and it's almost impossible.

Also going to be really hard without Pettersson.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Also going to be really hard without Pettersson.

We're really missing him, but Miller and Horvat seem to be able to hold their own.

 

[snowkiddin]

Holtby 37 saves, .925svp - Rittich 21 saves .821svp
Holtby 37 saves, .949svp - Campbell 21 saves .825svp
Demko 31 saves .969svp - Hutchinson 25 saves .893svp
Demko 36 saves .949 - Andersen 27 saves .871svp

The Canucks had godly goaltending, but i'm pretty sure you knew that. 5 on 5 play wasn't even remotely close, canucks had no business being in any of those games they were completely outclassed everywhere except goaltending, as a leafs fan i'm truly jealous of the goaltending the canucks were able to get. Vezina level goaltending for one team during those 4 games, dog shit goaltending for Toronto during those games.

Why didn’t Dubas address goaltending at the deadline? It’s a curious move to spend their 1st on a guy like Foligno — maybe no decent goalies were available? Goaltending looks like it’s gonna be Toronto’s undoing

 

[snowkiddin]

We're really missing him, but Miller and Horvat seem to be able to hold their own.

I don’t watch Vancouver much but caught the game last night and was surprised at just how good Horvat is. Super super solid player

 

[Three On Zero]

I don’t watch Vancouver much but caught the game last night and was surprised at just how good Horvat is. Super super solid player

Horvat is extremely underrated outside of Vancouver. Strong, good speed, excellent in the dot. He's a Bergeron lite

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

We're really missing him, but Miller and Horvat seem to be able to hold their own.

The Pearson/Horvat/Hoglander line has really grabbed the ball in Pettersson's absence.

 

[AvroArrow]

Why didn’t Dubas address goaltending at the deadline? It’s a curious move to spend their 1st on a guy like Foligno — maybe no decent goalies were available? Goaltending looks like it’s gonna be Toronto’s undoing

Yup, i'm not too optimistic going into the playoffs with our goalies. Dubas is the ultimate Freddy fanboy/apologist. I hope he's right about him but I highly doubt it. I'm hoping Campbell can go back to being at least average and we'll have a shot, but if our goaltending stays as is ? We might drop to 3rd by the time the playoffs start. Doing almost everything right 5 on 5 but goaltending is just horrendous. The PP is still garbage too.

 

[BCNate]

They need to win all 4 games in hand just to draw even. And even then Montreal would own the tiebreaker (regulation wins).

Also, I think fatigue eventually takes over. The number of games the Canucks play within a short time period is ridiculous.

Not impossible, just not very likely. Montreal would have to go something like 3-10 to end the year for Vancouver to have a good chance. If Montreal's anywhere even close to .500 to end the year (6-6-1, 5-5-3, etc.) and it's almost impossible.

No, If the Canucks were to draw even on points, they would own the 1st and 2nd tiebreakers.

Playoff odds are at about 20% right now, which seems about fair.

If MTL gets 13 points and ends at 60 (which I think is high given their schedule and recent results/injuries), the Canucks need to go 11-6. Certainly not easy, but not impossible either.

This week will provide a lot of clarity for sure.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Part of me suspects Toronto is just coasting it like how Vancouver was doing it towards 2011. They need to sit out Thornton and Simmonds when Nash and Foglino is able to come in. Goaltending is a tricky beast. Campbell has shown he can be a very decent goaltender and Anderson can still bounce back.

Very reminiscent of 2011 Vancouver in some regards. A team that just wants to make the playoffs, coasting it down the stretch and losing 2 straight against the bottom feeder Oilers (obiously Vancouver was more dominent but still). Can Nash and Foglino replicate the impact Lapierre and Higgins had in the bottom 6? We shall see.

 

[jackjohnson]

As much of a cool story as Vancouver making the playoffs would be, I just think it's too much of an uphill battle for them to do it. 8 point gap with this little left in the season is significant.

Look at the games on hand they have on Montreal and look at the opponents...4x Sens and look at the history, won 5 in a row against sens. Also look at the Canucks goalie, Demko plus Holtby. Probably the best goalie duo in the North. Also people forget Canucks had a month of layoff that helps to rest physically and rest any injuries. They look to be a much rested team compared to any team in the NHL right now.

 

[nturn06]

As much of a cool story as Vancouver making the playoffs would be, I just think it's too much of an uphill battle for them to do it. 8 point gap with this little left in the season is significant.

They have 4 straight games coming against Senators, and 4 games in hand over Montreal. If they manage to win lets say 3 out of 4 against Sens, they are basically 2 points back of Montreal. Of course, if the Sens win that series, they are likely done.

 

[jackjohnson]

No, If the Canucks were to draw even on points, they would own the 1st and 2nd tiebreakers.

Playoff odds are at about 20% right now, which seems about fair.

If MTL gets 13 points and ends at 60 (which I think is high given their schedule and recent results/injuries), the Canucks need to go 11-6. Certainly not easy, but not impossible either.

This week will provide a lot of clarity for sure.

People will say the condensed schedule will break them but a month layoff and a condensed schedule that is 17 games long is not going to break the canucks. Plus motte, pettersson, Demko and beagle still have yet to play with possibilities of Lind and Rathbone coming in. They can easily use the taxi squad as a reserve to rotate players in and out. 17 games is not a huge task and they could easily go 11-6 especially when they have 4 against sens and 5 against flames who might be out of playoffs at the end. Thats 9 gimmie games, and then 2 against leafs with their sieve goalies. Its not like Canucks are facing Colorado, so they can win lots of games when Demko and Holtby play great.

 

[jackjohnson]

The Pearson/Horvat/Hoglander line has really grabbed the ball in Pettersson's absence.

when will Pettersson be back?? Hopefully it is soon since we will need him down the stretch. Hope they check out Kole Lind and Rathbone in the mean time.

 

[jackjohnson]

Yup, i'm not too optimistic going into the playoffs with our goalies. Dubas is the ultimate Freddy fanboy/apologist. I hope he's right about him but I highly doubt it. I'm hoping Campbell can go back to being at least average and we'll have a shot, but if our goaltending stays as is ? We might drop to 3rd by the time the playoffs start. Doing almost everything right 5 on 5 but goaltending is just horrendous. The PP is still garbage too.

There is no way Leafs go far in playoffs with a crappy goaltending. They should have traded Anderson in off season and signed Markstrom

 

[vanarchy]

Holtby 37 saves, .925svp - Rittich 21 saves .821svp
Holtby 37 saves, .949svp - Campbell 21 saves .825svp
Demko 31 saves .969svp - Hutchinson 25 saves .893svp
Demko 36 saves .949 - Andersen 27 saves .871svp

The Canucks had godly goaltending, but i'm pretty sure you knew that. 5 on 5 play wasn't even remotely close, canucks had no business being in any of those games they were completely outclassed everywhere except goaltending, as a leafs fan i'm truly jealous of the goaltending the canucks were able to get. Vezina level goaltending for one team during those 4 games, dog shit goaltending for Toronto during those games.

We’ve been hearing this goaltending excuse from you guys for easily over 10 years.

If we had no business winning the games we won then you should fix it already.

 

[BCNate]

when will Pettersson be back?? Hopefully it is soon since we will need him down the stretch. Hope they check out Kole Lind and Rathbone in the mean time.

My guess is EP is done for the season. He is skating, but had has a wrist injury that isn't healing as quickly as hoped. I may be wrong, but I think best case is he is ready to go opening day. Just my 2 cents though, not based on any confirmed reports, just speculation.

 

[jackjohnson]

Holtby 37 saves, .925svp - Rittich 21 saves .821svp
Holtby 37 saves, .949svp - Campbell 21 saves .825svp
Demko 31 saves .969svp - Hutchinson 25 saves .893svp
Demko 36 saves .949 - Andersen 27 saves .871svp

The Canucks had godly goaltending, but i'm pretty sure you knew that. 5 on 5 play wasn't even remotely close, canucks had no business being in any of those games they were completely outclassed everywhere except goaltending, as a leafs fan i'm truly jealous of the goaltending the canucks were able to get. Vezina level goaltending for one team during those 4 games, dog shit goaltending for Toronto during those games.

Whats remarkable is that Canucks beat leafs who used 4 different goalies. So the leafs cant make an excuse regarding a certain goalie being bad against the Canucks as they beat Andersson, Hutchinson, Campbell and Rittich. Leafs would have been better served getting Holtby or Marky, proven goalies with pedigree and some playoff success. Even Marky has more playoff success than all of Torontos goalies combined.

 

[BCNate]

People will say the condensed schedule will break them but a month layoff and a condensed schedule that is 17 games long is not going to break the canucks. Plus motte, pettersson, Demko and beagle still have yet to play with possibilities of Lind and Rathbone coming in. They can easily use the taxi squad as a reserve to rotate players in and out. 17 games is not a huge task and they could easily go 11-6 especially when they have 4 against sens and 5 against flames who might be out of playoffs at the end. Thats 9 gimmie games, and then 2 against leafs with their sieve goalies. Its not like Canucks are facing Colorado, so they can win lots of games when Demko and Holtby play great.

We end with 4 of 5 against the Flames. Hopefully it comes down to those games. They will have been eliminated for a few games and hopefully just mail them in.

 

[AvroArrow]

We’ve been hearing this goaltending excuse from you guys for easily over 10 years.

If we had no business winning the games we won then you should fix it already.

lol, you telling me you watched that game last night and thought Rittich was good ? Or even average ?

10 years..exaggeration much ? 10 years ago canucks fans were rioting, we weren't complaining about having sub .900 save percentage from all 4 goalies back then.

 

[jackjohnson]

My guess is EP is done for the season. He is skating, but had has a wrist injury that isn't healing as quickly as hoped. I may be wrong, but I think best case is he is ready to go opening day. Just my 2 cents though, not based on any confirmed reports, just speculation.

Wow that would suck. I wonder if Kole lind can be inserted to play in the top 6. Too bad Podkolzin will not be available to Canucks.