GDT: Predators @ Canucks, 7PM PST, SPNET-P

[stevethiessen]

Stupid Sportsnet... you all get Canucks games, and I get World Pool Championships. Yay!

HaUGE game tonight, although we could have said that about the last one too.

From Canucks.com: "A regulation loss in this game, coupled with an Avalanche win over Anaheim on Thursday, would push Vancouver four points out of the playoff picture with 15 games remaining."

While we have a game in hand on both COL and NSH, it might not mean much. If we finished the season tied point-wise, at this stage COL beats us on the first tie breaker (head to head), and both teams beat us on the second tie-breaker (wins). We have to leap-frog those two to really be in control of our own destiny, and with the last 9 games of the season being against teams in our own division, this is really our last swing at controlling our destiny with the teams like CHI (oops), CBJ (oops), PHX, STL, and NAS (gulp).

But I want to remain positive, so we'lll go with this: Ohlund appears to be injured (knee?) so Bourdon has been recalled, which means we're back to the MASH Unit defense, which has so outplayed our "original 6" it's disgusting. C'mon Luc! Another bomb from the point would make for a good day.

SLUMP WATCH:
Pyatt - 13 game without a goal
Daniel - 6 games no goal, 4 games pointless
Markus - 6 games pointless
Henrik - 2 pts in las 6 games
Miller (yes Aaron) - 1 assist last 6 six games (tied with Daniel, and 1 up on Markus, nipping at Hank! He's a machine!)
Weaver - 66 game pointless streak. (granted, he's only played in 43... but still.)

It's easy to conclude then that I blame this mess on Weaver. Sigh...

April is still gonna be to gross to be golfing here in Saskabush, so I really don't want to be finished the season quite yet...

Here's hoping for a Canucks win that looks unreal, and makes us all (sortof) forget the last few games, and be talking about how this team is built to go three rounds deep!

4-1 Vancouver!

[mattola]

lol great post

GO CANUCKS GO!

[nuckknowitall1944]

I'm going to this game tonight 15 rows up just right of center ice!!!
Hopefully i witness the turnaround game for the canucks, lets get a big "W" tonight boys!!!

[mr perfect]

If they lose this one I don't see how they can make the playoffs. Games in hand are only good if you win them and the Canucks are winless in 4. If Nashville and Colorado both win tonight, the Canucks could be 5 points out of a playoff spot with only 15 games left. Remember as it currently stands, Vancouver loses on the tie-breaker to the Predators and Avalanche because of fewer wins. Do or Die time.

[Brian CC]

They'll win cause I'll be there....(Thanks Mattola!)

[mattola]

They'll win cause I'll be there....(Thanks Mattola!)

we are also meeting Cookie for a pint before the game.

[Cornuck]

2-1 Canucks win tonight. The losing has to end tonight.

(and it will be in regulation, too)

[Cornuck]

Ok - nobody thought it would be 3-2 this early....

[tey]

ya, Defense/Goaltending is optional

[B. Mackin]

When was the last time goalies at either end gave-up the first shots they faced in an NHL game?

That's what happened tonight for both Dan Ellis of the Predators and Canuck Roberto Luongo. Ellis lasted 6:09 and miffed three of 11 shots he faced.

Luongo remains a candidate for an early pull. He has given up two goals on four shots.
If you remember Nov. 1, he gave up the first shot of the game to David Legwand at 6:16 of the first period on a power play, en route to a 3-0 loss.

BTW, if anyone knows when the last time this happened, please post it.

[levelheaded]

Um... It is 2008 right? Because I'd SWEAR I just watched a period of hockey from 5 years ago.

4 goals on 24 shots, THREE two goal leads.

This is beyond insane.

[B. Mackin]

Five years ago? I'm having an 80s flashback.

[mattola]

Brian, cookie and I all think naslund sucks that period and it should be 4-0

[Linden Is God]

Well I guess I should have bet on the over tonight.

Just by looking at the stats, looks like the Canucks are flying. Let's hope they keep it up.

[UpYerKilt]

24-9 first period shots on goalt tells me everyone is on the same page...it also tells me that the Avs Flames Wild are in and the Preds and Canucks will be battling along with the Hawks for 8th and the right to play a vulnerable Wings squad round 1.

This is no time to regress Luongo...If you're not the first star in 9 of the next 15 games we're out.

Guts

nice to see #3 get one.