Some belated thoughts on the game...
Don't see much cause for handwringing in this one. The Canucks were - for at least 85% of the game - the far superior team. Outskated, out hustled, out hit and outchanced the Sharks. Niemi, for as much as I rag on him, had a very strong game between the pipes for San Jose.
Similarly, Schneider was great for Vancouver, the second goal excluding. I don't care which goalie that is, that was a weak goal - looked to me like Schneider misread the height of the puck, knicked his glove and went in. Not all that dissimilar from Cammaleri's goal in Calgary, from my perspective.
But other than that one play, Schneider was outstanding.
The Twins...where to begin? Their efforts in the LA and SJ games over the last few days have been astounding. Giving opposing defenders fits down low and just generating chance after chance.
The PP really came on as the game went on. So many chances on that PP in overtime, but again, Niemi stood tall. At the end of the day, we'll lament the fact that our PP couldn't bury it, but there was some very promising progress in that regard on this night.
Tanev is looking so smooth - not out of place at all in the top four. His hockey IQ is superb as he always seems able to slow the play down and move the puck out of danger.
Funny moment of the night - when the Sharks had the open net and hit Barker, I was on the phone with my Dad. I sent him into fits with my call of the play.
"Holy - thank God Barker blocked that. Wait - Barker?! What the #%#% is he doing on the PK with two minutes to go?!"
I know the Canucks like their depth on D, but neither Alberts nor Barker have looked good at all in their limited action. One hopes that as they settle in they'll become more reliable depth defenders, but it's sure not looking that way at this point.
The only line up front that I had issues with was the fourth line, in particular, Sestito - he had a pretty dreadful game after two solid outtings. Schroeder needs to be bumped to the third, and Lapierre needs to play with Sestito and Weise.
All in all though, this is a game we were unlucky not to win. Hope we can get back in the right column tomorrow.