Pre-Game Talk: GAME #40 - Canucks @ Flames

[opendoor]

Hopefully the Canucks can build up more of a cushion on the division because I suspect they'll need it. They're coming to the end of a ridiculously soft stretch of teams while Minnesota is about to start one in a couple of games. Here are the remaining schedules:

VAN:

@ CGY
@ COL
@ NSH
@ STL
@ DAL
vs. DET
vs. CHI
vs. ANA
@ EDM



MIN:

vs. CHI
vs. STL
vs. CBJ
@ CGY
@ EDM
@ SJS
vs. CGY
vs. LAK
vs. EDM
@ COL


I could see Minnesota easily getting 14-15 points out of that stretch which means the Canucks would need 11-12 points from their final 9. Getting 4 against CGY and COL to start the trip would put them in a pretty good spot.

 

[LiveeviL]

No one is sitting out for resting now, it is all about gearing up. I had the hope last season that the team saved itself but it was simple no higher gear. I have hope that the scenario is not the same this year, taken the centre situation recently and now.

 

[Zombotron]

No one is sitting out for resting now, it is all about gearing up. I had the hope last season that the team saved itself but it was simple no higher gear. I have hope that the scenario is not the same this year, taken the centre situation recently and now.

We were fed false hope last year because Kesler was nursing/hiding a bum shoulder. Looking back at game footage you could see it in the way he raised his arms during goal celebrations. He's the engine that makes the team go, and if he's hobbled by injury, the team goes nowhere. I believe we won't see a repeat of last year, and I say that with confidence.

It's a blessing in disguise that he's been out for so long because the Canucks have flown under the radar this year. No one has them penciled as Cup contenders, often using last year as precedent, when all along they've been missing the big picture - the team goes nowhere without a healthy Kesler, and he hasn't been healthy since the Sharks series. Where do the Blackhawks go without a healthy Toews? How far does Boston go if Bergeron ends up wrecking his shoulder?

The Canucks, while not the strongest Western Conference team at wing - perhaps even far from it - now have a 1-2-3 centre punch that can only be matched by Los Angeles (a unique case in their own right, but also an analysis for another time) and San Jose.

There's a big trickle-down effect. Knock out Daniel Sedin and the team doesn't feel the same effect because the Sedins operate in a separate system. I feel very confident in that assessment, though I can't quantify the real effects of this scenario because it has yet to happen - remember that when Daniel was injured, Kesler was too.

I think I'd illustrate it like this:

EDIT: Now that I think about it, the Chicago example doesn't work because Toews is part of Chicago's primary offensive unit. The Boston example does work, however, as Krejci is Boston's top centre, with Bergeron stationed behind him.

 

[Virtanen2Horvat]

So this looks like the lineup for the next game.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Raymond-Kesler-Kassian
Weise-Roy-Hansen
Sestito-Lapierre-Pinnizzotto

 

[mrmyheadhurts]

I would go:

Sedin-Sedin-Kassian
Burrows-Kesler-Hansen
Raymond-Roy-Weise
Sestito-Lapierre-Pinnizzotto

Just for kicks and to see how Raymond and Roy do together. It would be nice to know what options we have come playoff time. Probably don't want to split up that top line right now though.

 

[HalfPastDan]

Watching the Canada v USA women's game.

American women's PP AND the Canadian women's PK both look more dynamic than ours

Keeping their feet moving, challenging and pressuring players with speed, quick passing, hitting, shooting.

Why can't we do that?

 

[Wheatley]

Watching the Canada v USA women's game.

American women's PP AND the Canadian women's PK both look more dynamic than ours

Keeping their feet moving, challenging and pressuring players with speed, hitting, shooting.

Why can't we do that?

You're watching women's hockey?

 

[Seatoo]

So this looks like the lineup for the next game.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Raymond-Kesler-Kassian
Weise-Roy-Hansen
Sestito-Lapierre-Pinnizzotto

Swap Hansen and Weise, I believe Hansen has played LW before when he was first on the team. Weise is not a 3rd liner and IMO he seems overwhelmed when he is given extra responsibility.

 

[HalfPastDan]

You're watching women's hockey?

...

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

At this point we are likely better off loading up the offense on two lines and using the third as a temporary grinder. It couldn't hurt to see if Roy and Kesler have chemistry together. It will not happen but I would love:

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian
Burrows - Roy - Kesler
Raymond - Schroeder - Hansen

Obviously, not the aforementioned grinder line, but it would allow us to not spread our offense too thin and use.

 

[deadinthewater]

At this point we are likely better off loading up the offense on two lines and using the third as a temporary grinder. It couldn't hurt to see if Roy and Kesler have chemistry together. It will not happen but I would love:

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian
Burrows - Roy - Kesler
Raymond - Schroeder - Hansen

Obviously, not the aforementioned grinder line, but it would allow us to not spread our offense too thin and use.

I'd love that.

 

[pahlsson]

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian
Burrows - Roy - Kesler
Raymond - Schroeder - Hansen

Obviously, not the aforementioned grinder line, but it would allow us to not spread our offense too thin and use.

was just gonna suggest this lineup, imo now would be a good time to screw around with the lines to see what could potentially work and what doesn't

 

[Tanevian*]

You're watching women's hockey?

With these new xray glasses, it's actually pretty good.

Oullette has a better shot that either Sedin.

 

[Hodgy]

...

Archer would never watch womens hockey.

 

[Seatoo]

was just gonna suggest this lineup, imo now would be a good time to screw around with the lines to see what could potentially work and what doesn't

Only problem is we don't really have a shutdown line...

 

[Pip]

Only problem is we don't really have a shutdown line...

At this point we are likely better off loading up the offense on two lines and using the third as a temporary grinder. It couldn't hurt to see if Roy and Kesler have chemistry together. It will not happen but I would love:

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian
Burrows - Roy - Kesler
Raymond - Schroeder - Hansen

Obviously, not the aforementioned grinder line, but it would allow us to not spread our offense too thin and use.

wouldnt that be our shutdown line?

 

[luongo321]

wouldnt that be our shutdown line?

If by shutdown you mean stop the other team from scoring because no one can take the puck off of Roysy's stick, then yes. I think Roy and Kesler would kill it. Roy can reminds me a bit of Patrick Kane and Kes played with pat kane in the 2010 olympics. I just have a damn good feeling that those 2 would tear it up together.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

You're watching women's hockey?

Yes, and it's actually pretty entertaining...

 

[thepuckmonster]

Yes, and it's actually pretty entertaining...

What do you mean us women folk can actually participate in a high level athletic competition? I thought we were all meant to stay in the kitchen.

Canada's Womens hockey team is stacked with high end talent, their goalie is seriously awesome.

 

[LolClarkson*]

Higgins is out ?

 

[pahlsson]

 

[Virtanen2Horvat]

Higgins is out ?

Lower body injury could be back before the playoffs. I hope its about 2-4 weeks to recover.

EDIT: Knee sprain it also really depends on the person. It could possibly be 4-6 I hope not.

 

[Orca Smash]

Lower body injury could be back before the playoffs. I hope its about 2-4 weeks to recover.

EDIT: Knee sprain it also really depends on the person. It could possibly be 4-6 I hope not.

I read according to minor research I did it depends on what grade it is, ranging from a week to several weeks.

The fact that he played the game and looked good, and looked fine post game hopefully means its not to bad.

 

[Virtanen2Horvat]

I read according to minor research I did it depends on what grade it is, ranging from a week to several weeks.

The fact that he played the game and looked good, and looked fine post game hopefully means its not to bad.

Yeah I agree with you he did look pretty good last night on the ice he was everywhere. I hope it's not long according to your research.

 

[Addison Rae]

You're watching women's hockey?

It was a sick game.