Oct 18th: 'Nucks vs. Hawks

[Oz44]

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I don't think I heard but how did the Canucks setup their lineups against the Stars? Was the WCE back together or did we return to our 3 lines of offense with Bertuzzi on the third? And does anyone know if we'll have that lineup for the Blackhawks game?

Hawks have struggled but in past we all know Canucks have dipped to teams lower talents and played their style and many times have come out on the short end of the stick. Canucks need a strong effort, Chicago is a relatively younger team and I think the Canucks need a game where they just absolutely hand it to the other team. The Stars controlled most of the 2nd period against us last game, but we did fair well otherwise.

Prediciton:

4-2 Canucks.

[TimmyTabasco]

5-3 Canucks

The Hawks are having trouble with chemistry, and the Bulin wall is not himself

Tonight I'll be watching this at the pub. Should be interesting

[Iced Tea]

I don't think I heard but how did the Canucks setup their lineups against the Stars? Was the WCE back together or did we return to our 3 lines of offense with Bertuzzi on the third? And does anyone know if we'll have that lineup for the Blackhawks game?The lines started out the regular way but the Stars got so many penalties that the top 2 and a half lines played the first half of the first period.

After that, Crawford mixed up several lines with Bertuzzi out with Kesler and Cooke, Park out with Naslund and Morrison. The A S S line and Linden's line stayed the same. Then Crawford mixed players up some more and I got more confused than usual and needed a chart to keep track of who was out with whom.

In the third period, Crawford put the top line back together for some shifts although he did give Goren some powerplay time with Bertuzzi and Naslund.

All in all, except for the A S S line, everyone is playing with everyone else.

I hope for a big win tonight. The top line should finally have a breakout night and Park, Carter and Goren will get points as well. Cloutier will blow in net and make the game close but the Canucks should win in regulation.

Canucks 6 - 4 over the Blackhawks with the 6th goal being an empty netter to put the game away.

[Iced Tea]

Woooooooo, Canucks win again.:D

Good points:
1. The goals:
a. Daniel Sedin - beauty of a goal, between the legs of Henrik and the Chicago defender and under the arm of Khabibulin. Sweet.
b. Mattius Ohlund - two goals, both lasers to the top right corner of Khabibulin.
c. Sami Salo - another booming shot from the point.
d. Morrison - glad to see him finally get one. Nice play by Jovo with the fake shot/hard pass.
e. Naslund - another for the captain, glad to see the top line clicking again with Bertuzzi getting the assist.

2. The powerplay performed tonight, going 3 for 10 and finally a goal on a 5 on 3 after failing in several previous games to score on a 5 on 3.
3. Ohlund was a force tonight with 2 goals, a number of massive hits and as always great on the PK and PP.
4. Salo was great as well with that blast from the point going in. If Salo and Ohlund stay healthy and keep it up, I can only imagine what kind of numbers the top 2 Canucks defense can put up.
5. Cloutier had a good game. Neither goal was his fault alone, the defense broke down on both.
6. Bertuzzi continues to improve. Less floating, more physical driving to the net and better puck handling.
7. The A S S line continues to play well.
8. Baumgartner and McCarthy didn't make any serious mistakes and each got a point. Frankly Jovanovski was the least effective defenseman in the Canucks end.

Bad points:
1. Jovanovski - he's starting to put up points but he continues to make stupid mistakes. Him and Allen failed to pick up Lapointe on Chicago's second goal. I know it was a penaltykill but neither defender was anywhere near Lapointe.
2. Penaltykill could have been better.

In the middle:
1. Lee Goren - needs to keep his stick on the ice when in front of the net. As Larscheid said, maybe Goren isn't used to getting sweet pass in front of the net in the NHL yet.
2. The botton two lines played hard but didn't get any points. Good penaltykillers though.

The PPV:
1. Dan Murphy looks like he's wearing Bertuzzi's suit; there's so much room, Murph could smuggle a tuba under the jacket.
2. Walters looks drunk or hopped up on painkillers; Craig MacEwan seems to be holding him up right now during their post game analysis.
3. Gary Valk likes the camera so much that no matter what Dan Murphy and Kirk MacLean are talking about, Valk is smiling at the camera.
4. The PPVs features analysis from former Canucks Maclean, Walters and now Valk. Seems like a way to keep former Canucks employed. I'm waiting for Richard Brodeur and Harold Snepts to join the broadcast team. :D

[Yoata]

IT, didn't see the highlights, did Bertuzzi actually do anything on those 1st two (2nd) assists or is he still picking up points despite contributing nothing?

Also, you paid $12+ to watch this game on tv?

I don't think I could justify that much for a televised hockey game unless maybe it was the Wings vs the Nucks for the final playoff spot (unlikely), and even then I doubt I'd pay it. I don't like to encourage gouging. I mean what's the least you could pay to see the game live? $25-30?

I think they'd get twice as much revenue or more if they lowered the price to $4-5.

[TimmyTabasco]

I caught this game at the local pub. The place was packed. Pleasant surprise to get the feed from Chicago, on ComCast. PPV Canucks can get annoying :D

Good, solid offensive game by the Canucks. Agree with most of what the dirty old tea bag said.

Some points

-Ohlund. He was a rock out there. Several good hits, and two nice goals. What a force

-Finnish MacInnis. This guy still is putting up the points, and has a great shot. Shows a good effort every game

-Bertuzzi and Morrison. Both had strong games with 3 points each. The thing is..both can play better :nod:

-Naslund. As usual, chipping in, and showing up. He will have a very good year.

-Cloutier. He was solid when he needed to be. Plus, he made an amazing save in the 3rd. Surprised it didn't go in.

-Sedin line. They have good chemistry, and look to be a dangerous line. Carter was robbed by the Bulin wall. This line will have a very good year.

I can't say much bad about this game. They played hard, and kept on bringing it on all game.

Good game, and onto the next