GDT Luongo vs Brodeur 7 PM TV: SN, Radio: Team 1040

[mattola]

and of course the rest of the teams will be there as well. This is an extra special game for me. its 2 of the best in the world going face to face.

I have my Bobby Lou jersey shined up and ready to go.

I hope its a 0-0 shootout canucks Win with tons of gorgeous saves.

[Mikodat]

a 1 - 0 OT win... Kessler bouncing one in off Brodeurs butt * sorry Matt.. no faith in Canucks shootouts

[mattola]

a 1 - 0 OT win... Kessler bouncing one in off Brodeurs butt * sorry Matt.. no faith in Canucks shootouts

fair enough

[whistler]

...and an inset picture-in-picture display showing Betman pulling his (remaining) hair out.

[Jyrki21]

(18-12-3)

@


(17-12-4)

Tuesday, December 18, 2007
7:00 PM PST, 10:00 EST

TV: Sportsnet Pacific

For the first time since Roberto Luongo joined the Vancouver Canucks, he will face the NHL's incumbent Vézina Trophy winner in Martin Brodeur

Storylines:

- As mentioned, Martin Brodeur faces Roberto Luongo for the first time since the Canucks acquired the latter. Luongo hasn't played Since Dec. 8, but declared himself ready for tonight's game. It remains to be seen how he handles the off-time.

- Brodeur, for his part, is on a tear, going 11-1-1 (1.68 GAA, 2 SO) in his last 13 starts. His totals are more modest all-time against the Canucks, though, at 6-8-0 (2.59 GAA, .891 SV%). Luongo's career as an Islander/Panther against the Devils is a rougher 4-13-0 (3.24 GAA, .907 SV%)

- the Devils haven't visited Vancouver since the waning days of 2001. Los Diablos actually haven't won a game in Vancouver since the Garth Snow days, in March 1999!

- Zach Parise is the Devils' leading scorer at 15-20-35. His multiples-of-5 scoring are countered with Henrik Sedin's multiples-of-6 scoring at 6-24-30.

- despite Luongo's return, the Canucks are, of course, without Brendan Morrison and Kevin Bieksa indefinitely, as well as Jeff Cowan (and I assume still Brad Isbister?). For New Jersey, I believe Cam Janssen is the only unhealthy scratch.

- interesting factoid: in his career, Markus Näslund has never scored a goal against the Devils. Though a number of the games would have come from his Pittsburgh days, in 17 games he has a paltry 0-5-5. To put things in perspective, Brad Isbister has 4-6-10 in 21 games. Or, for yet more perspective, Brian Gionta has 3 goals in 4 games against the Canucks, Patrik Elias 7 goals in 10 games.

[Lancer]

I say 2-0 Canuckleheads with Salo getting a PP goal and Cookie getting an EN goal. I see Luongo coming out on top of this goalie duel.

[Linden Is God]

Aaron Miller?? WTF?? I'll take it!

[B. Mackin]

Mark "Half O Canada" Donnelly and daughter Colleen warbled the anthem quite wonderfully until Donnelly took his trademark Tim Horton's break in the middle. A shame for duet fans everywhere.

Luongo ruined Travis Zajac's attempt for the Devils, then Aaron Miller ruined Martin Brodeur's shutout attempt. No step towards Sawchuck tonight, Marty.

Fans returned to GM Place to find a lot more green, blue and white (more evidence of VANOC's $18.6 million cheque to the Aquilinis). Sportsnet's end zone murals of Roberto Luongo and Markus Naslund have been replaced by Willie Mitchell and Kevin Bieksa on the north end and Henrik and Daniel Sedin on the south.

[B. Mackin]

Is Kevin Weekes going to finally fulfill his destiny as the "goalie of the future?"
As in the goalie of the immediate future, to replace starter Martin Brodeur before the end of the second period?
Brodeur has surrendered three goals on the first 11 shots faced. A 4-0 Canucks' lead could mean au revoir Monsieur Brodeur.

[B. Mackin]

Brendan Morrison's 542 games of service, which included eight with the New Jersey Devils, was recognized on the Daktronics screen during a TV time out with 8:05 left in the second period. Morrison, sitting in the press box, was humbled by the extended cheer. But only a few fans got off their butts and gave him a standing ovation. What a shame. Go home you losers! You don't deserve the tickets your boss bought for you! If you are a boss, then here's hoping your workers drink all the booze and you get none at your Christmas party!

[whistler]

Give Linden a more offensive role....even if you have to wait and feed him the puck.

As he threatens to regain the all-time point lead it sparks Naslund to keep some breathing room.

[dangler]

Heres a big shout-out to B-Mo
Way't'go B-Mo ,hope to see you in the play-offs

[Mikodat]

Hmmm expected a great goaltenders battle... but only Luongo showed up.. sorry Matt.. My prediction is way off.. it was the second goal that Kesler put one in off Brodeurs butt

[DonCherry4PM]

Wow, what is with the scoring tonight? Nicely well-rounded too. Linden sure seems to have found his offensive touch lately. Hope he keeps it up. Kesler continues to impress.

Anybody watching the game? - I don't get it over here - just listening to the radio - was wondering if the Canucks are playing that well or the Devils that poorly.

[B. Mackin]

Canucks 5 Devils 0
Bob Mackin
bob.mackin@24hrs.ca

The Buzz:
The Vancouver Canucks made Martin Brodeur look like the “goalie of the past" Tuesday when they beat the visiting New Jersey Devils 5-0. Roberto Luongo returned from bruised ribs to register his fifth shutout of the season and 10th as a Canuck.

Miller Time:
Canucks’ defenseman Aaron Miller made sure Brodeur remained nine shy of Terry “103 Shutoutsâ€￾ Sawchuk’s all-time record when he scored on the first Canucks’ shot.

Lamplighter:
Captain Markus Naslund solved his nine-game scoring slump on a tic-tac-toe play with fellow O-Liners Daniel and Henrik Sedin to give the Canucks a 4-0 lead on only their 12th shot. They struck again in the third period – exactly six shots later. Ex-Canucks’ backup Kevin “Goalie of the Futureâ€￾ Weekes languished on the Devils’ bench.

New Jersey Who?
It was the Devils’ first Vancouver visit since their 4-2 loss on Dec. 29, 2001.

Did You Know?
Brodeur was drafted 20th overall in the NHL's 1990 Entry Draft across the street at B.C. Place Stadium. Does Brodeur have Olympic dreams to cap his career by winning gold at GM Place and strolling across to the Dome for the closing ceremony on Feb. 28, 2010?

Class Act:
The Canucks recognized Brendan Morrison's 542 consecutive games of service during a stoppage in play. Wrist surgery may keep “B-Moâ€￾ out of action until the playoffs. Sadly, few fans got off their butts to offer Vancouver’s ironman a standing ovation.

Urban Sombrero:
What’s a hockey game without a mariachi band? Mariachi del Sol played twice as part of a Mexico tourism promotion. A fan won a trip to Mexico for correctly guessing a jar contained 47 jalapenos. Ole!

Next Up:
The Dallas Stars visit Thursday in a rematch of April’s opening round playoff series. (7 p.m. Team 1040/pay-per-view).