GDT: Jan 27 - Canucks @ Sharks 5:00PM PST SNET-P

[Meds]

First real test of the year for both of these teams.

San Jose has had their way with Calgary, Edmonton, Phoenix, and now Colorado, so far this young season. All three of those teams are expected to be hunting for the bottom 5 spots in the conference with Columbus. Two of those teams gave the Canucks some difficulty, but Vancouver's last game in Anaheim seems to indicate that the Canucks are starting to come together as a team and shake off the rust.

San Jose has (in recent years) been a team that comes out of the gate fairly well, showed some up and down, but found their stride and finished the first month strongly, this year they are starting very well and look to be the team to beat in the Western Conference as we hit the 1 week mark. But, as stated, they haven't faced a team that is really even expected to challenge for a playoff spot. Their games have shown them to come flying off the line at puck drop and attack with speed and strength for the better part of 40 minutes, and then cool down in the dying minutes of the 2nd period and coast through the final frame.

Vancouver has barely been a .500 team to start the season going back to 2010. This year is par for the course so far. They have 5 of 8 possible points to date and have generally been a team that has come out a bit slow, picked it up, and then finished at an average level. Friday's game in Anaheim showed a slow starting team that rallied early after being besieged and then went strong to the finish line. But Vancouver hasn't really been tested either. The only real challenge has been the Ducks, and they are probably looking at a 7-10 place finish in the West. If not for a breakdown in net by Schneider the first game would probably have been up for grabs or a deuce in Vancouver's pocket.

So this one is a good measuring stick for both teams. I'm hoping that the Canucks used Friday as a rallying point and preparation for two big games in sunny Cali against San Jose and LA.

Go Canucks.

[SKYO]

Let's end Marleau's scoring streak, with Thornton racking up mad assists, plus their 4 game winning streak.

Canucks - Slaying teams that are on a roll since 2006.

[rats19]

I don't care who or how many.....as long as we have 1 more....

[rats19]

HF boards..sharks GDT, should beat theses diving fingerbiting sisters team...fuckers from one of the dirtiest teams...

[Cookie La Rue]

Just hoping that Gomez will not score...

Go Canucks Goooooooo Zad Kassian

[sagebrush]

The song remains the same (as before the Anaheime game).

Execute team discipline & defence. Then when jumbo Joe & company get frustrated - bury them.
A tough test, but possible.

Meanwhile - the Kassian & Schroeder watch continues.

[Strangelove]

Dancing days are here again if we win this one.

A tough test indeed.

The Sharks will test our team toughness and team defense.

I'm expecting plenty of huge hits and a big fight (Kassian coming to the defense of a teammate??).

Anyway, hosting a big party, must run, go Nuckies go....

[Meds]

Dancing days are here again if we win this one.

A tough test indeed.

The Sharks will test our team toughness and team defense.

I'm expecting plenty of huge hits and a big fight (Kassian coming to the defense of a teammate??).

Anyway, hosting a big party, must run, go Nuckies go....

Jumbo Jack-off Joe usually dirties one of the Twins.....hopefully Kassian feeds him his lunch.

[sagebrush]

If the opportunity arises, send a message - give no quarter.

[dhabums]

Let's end Marleau's scoring streak...

[Island Nucklehead]

Great start. Edler and Garrison are downright awful. They should be wearing dark jerseys.

[Meds]

Terrible start.

Bad choice by Vigneault to have the Sedins out for a defensive zone faceoff when McLellan can match with Thronton and Marleau.

Brutal play by Garrison.

How does Hansen hit the post with Niemi down and half the net to shoot at? Could have stemmed the early San Jose tide. Fucking tool.

Glad we gave Edler $5M.

[wafflecombine]

Yeah... Special Ed moment thanks to Edler. Wow, shades of Jovo.

Schneider looks shakey too.

[Reefer2]

I don't blame Schneider, if you have a stupid D man giving the puck away like Edler did not many goalies can stop it. What is up with Edler, why does his brain seem a few seconds late in making good decisions?

[Meds]

Yeah... Special Ed moment thanks to Edler. Wow, shades of Jovo.

Schneider looks shakey too.

No, Schneider looks poised. Most goalies wouldn't even have gotten a piece of Pavelski's goal. What goaltender expects his "best" defenseman to put the puck right up the middle with a forechecker there in the slot?

Could easily be 4-0 if not for Schneider.

Should be 1-1 but Hansen has no hands.