GDT: Canucks v. Wild

[Robert]

Pierce is locked up yes.

[Daniel Wilson]

This would have been a great game to forfeit after the second period if that was at all possible. This thrid period has been useless as both teams are just running out the clock and risk losing a player to injury.

[randymeeks]

Geez, I can see Boogaard trying to take someone's head off if he gets another shift in this game.

[Daniel Wilson]

The Buzz: The Canucks’ slide continues with no end in sight. In fact, they looked worse tonight than in previous losses versus Colorado and Calgary and showed no signs of being able to swing this thing around. Their destiny is in their own hands and they’re dropping the ball right now.

Turning Point: Maybe the puck drop. The Canucks weren’t near ready for this one.

Donnybrook: A line brawl in the third period after Alex Burrows crosschecked Pierre-Marc Bouchard in the head came at a point when the game didn’t matter whatsoever. Burrows was given a match penalty and risks a possible suspension.

Class act: New daddy Roberto Luongo goes from bedside to rinkside and makes it into the line-up just one day after his wife gives birth to a baby girl, Gabriella. Unfortunately the rest of his team lets him down in one of the most important games of the year. He should have stayed in Florida, enjoying his daughter’s birth.

X-file: With the win, Minnesota clinches a playoff berth and move three points up on Calgary for the Northwest title.

Lamplighter: Bouchard opened the scoring with a blast past Luongo, snapping his own 18-game scoring drought.

Combo B: The Sedins find themselves paired up again with Taylor Pyatt joining them.

[Robert]

Well that's that.

I think I'll go shag my 'ole ladie.

[Larry Goodenough]

I know it's taboo to question Luongo and he did just have a very hectic last few days.

But the Luongo from last year would have had the first two goals tonight - if he does, it might have been a different game.

As the saying goes, your best players have to be your best players.

Well, when was the last time Luongo was out best player? I'm thinking way back to a game in Nashville about a month ago.

[mr perfect]

Larry, the Canucks as a team and especially the defence are giving up the middle of the ice or the slot to the other teams and allowing them time to pick the high corners on Luongo. These are NHL shooters when given time and space will bury 3 out every 10 shots. They have been backing in and giving up their own zone to the other teams, they also have been slow to clear any rebounds, won't knock the forwards down when there are scrambles around the net and haven't broken up the pass in front on 2 on 1s. In other words, the defensive zone coverage has broken down and none of the basic defensive fundamentals are being followed. The only way Luongo could have performed better would be to change his dimensions to 4' by 6'.

[Robert]

The only way Luongo could have performed better would be to change his dimensions to 4' by 6'.

I think you should watch the goals again. The second, he was on his knees and both hands were on the ice as if looking for contacts. It was said he was reaching for the puck??; well it was on the guys stick. Bad play.

However I'm not one of those that calls every clear shot that goes in undeflected a bad goal. A good shot to the top corners or why are just gonna go in.. you can't stop rockets.

He just has not been at his talent level, but then besides Burrows who has?

[randymeeks]

He just has not been at his talent level, but then besides Burrows who has?

To be fair, we have to look at the brutal schedule this team has been through. This has got to be one of the worst schedules the Canucks have ever had while I've been alive and I am 30 years old. I haven't been around for every season but enough to understand just how brutal this season has been travel wise for the Canucks.