Dec 1: Canucks at Oilers

[Iced Tea]

Canucks-Oilers Preview

GAME: Vancouver Canucks (16-8-2) at Edmonton Oilers (14-11-1).

TIME: Thursday, 9 p.m. EST.

Rookie goaltender Michael Morrison looks to bounce back from his first career loss when the Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks.

Morrison has made four straight starts for the Oilers, and had a 4-0 career mark in six NHL appearances before Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The 26-year-old netminder still boasts some impressive numbers, including a 1.76 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.

"They wanted to get me back for what we did to them in Colorado," said Morrison, who made 31 saves in Edmonton's 5-2 win at Denver in his NHL debut on Nov. 14.

Tuesday's loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Oilers, who have won five of their last seven with Morrison's help.

Despite their recent surge, the Oilers have managed just two goals in three of their last four games. One reason for Edmonton's decline in scoring is a power-play unit that has converted only one of its last 18 chances.

Marc-Andre Bergeron delivered that goal during the second period against Colorado. Defenseman Chris Pronger assisted on Bergeron's goal in his return to action after missing two games with a knee bruise. He has four assists in his last five games.

Vancouver's Brendan Morrison scored the go-ahead goal on a late breakaway in the second period Wednesday as the Northwest Division-leading Canucks beat Colorado 5-2. It was his second goal in as many games after going 12 straight without one.

The victory came after the team held a players-only meeting Tuesday following consecutive road losses at Phoenix and Colorado.

Alexander Auld, who made 30 saves Wednesday, is likely to remain in net as Dan Cloutier continues to work his way back from a knee sprain that has kept him out the last five games.

STANDINGS (through Nov. 30): Canucks - 34 points, 1st place, Northwest Division. Oilers - 29 points, 4th place, 5 PB, Northwest Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Canucks - Markus Naslund, 14 goals, 16 assists and 30 points; Wade Brookbank, 56 PIM. Oilers - Ryan Smyth and Raffi Torres, 11 goals; Shawn Horcoff, 20 assists and 24 points; Ethan Moreau, 47 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS (through Nov. 30): Canucks - Power play: 16.5 percent (29 for 175), 20th in NHL. Penalty killing: 82.3 percent (131 for 159), 15th. Oilers - Power play: 16.9 percent (27 for 159), 17th (tied). Penalty killing: 82.2 percent (130 for 158 ), 16th (tied).

GOALTENDERS: Canucks - Cloutier (8-3-1, 0 SO, 3.17 GAA); Auld (7-5-1, 0, 2.57). Oilers - Michael Morrison (4-1-0, 0, 1.75); Jussi Markkanen (9-9-1, 0, 3.00).

SEASON SERIES: Oilers, 1-0.

LAST MEETING: Oct. 8; Oilers, 4-3. At Edmonton, the Oilers forced overtime on a goal from Torres with 23 seconds remaining in regulation. They recorded the first shootout win in team history when Torres and Ales Hamsky scored on Cloutier.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Canucks - 5-7-2 on the road; Oilers - 5-4-1 at home.NHL.com (http://www.nhl.com/scores/previews/385_2_preview.html)

I expect a really good game with the Canucks winning 5 - 3 and PDO complaining about the reffing. :D

The Canucks will avenge their first loss of the season and their only loss by the stinkin shootout.

[KB in Kelowna]

If the Canucks play like the last 55 minutes of the Av's game last night they should be good for the win. The Oil will want to take this one to stay in contention in the division and will not be a push over. All depends on which Vancouver team shows up.

[Iced Tea]

Another road loss, what is with being on the road that makes the Canucks suck? I won't make excuses about this being the second game in two nights because NHL players are professional athletes who know they need to play back to back games sometimes. The Avs played in Edmonton the night before they played Vancouver but the Avs had a good effort against the Canucks. The Canucks are half hearted on the road and it's killing their overall record and a stellar home record. Something needs to change because the Canucks aren't going to make the playoffs and go deep if they can only win at home.

Good points:
1. The A S S line got 2 PP goals and worked hard in the offensive end. It was obvious that Anson hates his visor. Sedins combined for another of their pass in the air/deflections.
2. The players on the 3rd and 4th line worked hard no matter the configurations.
3. Josh Green got another goal. Best call up for the Canucks this season.
4. McVicar looked good.
5. After the Sunday game against the Bruins, the Canucks are off for three days and play the Sens next Friday. Time to practice all the weak points. I remember a few years ago when the Canucks were in Ottawa in January or Febuary I believe and Crawford took the team to an outdoor rink for some shinny/team bonding. The Canucks then went on a tear and made it deep into the playoffs. The Canucks should stay in Edmonton and find an outdoor rink.
6. For once, the Canucks had good results on the PP, going 2 for 4.

Bad points:
1. Defensive zone coverage and work ethic is going downhill. No line was good in their own end, although I think Naslund's effort on the backcheck is improving but that could be because Morrison's effort is bad.
2. The top line's offensive effort was bad. It shouldn't matter if the other team puts a checking line out against them because every team does the same thing. Bertuzzi played with the intensity of a 60 year beer league player. Comparing his play to the energy the 3rd and 4th line had, would be a joke. When Bertuzzi sucks, Naslund and Morrison play bad too.
3. Auld was hung out to dry on some of the goals and blew the other ones. He needs to be better if he ever wants to be a number one goalie.
4. The defense wasn't very good.
5. Why was Brookbank on defense? I understand him playing wing but why defense when the Canucks had 6 other defenseman playing. Brookbank's rookie type mistake blew the Canucks' chances.
6. Faceoffs; obviously the Canucks aren't paying attention to my suggestion of a faceoff consultant because the Canucks reek in the faceoff circle.

Other points:
1. 5 penalties in the game must be a record for the new NHL. The game was well played and I'm glad the referees let the teams decide the outcome.
2. Still don't understand why Brookbank was on defense.
3. John Garrett has nice hair.

Finally, even the announcers and suits on Sportsnet have started talking about the Canucks need for an impact trade to shake the team up and get them to focus again.

[TimmyTabasco]

Another loss :no:

The Canucks NEED a faceoff man very badly. Hank can't do it all.

Auld was subpar. Don't get me wrong, he is good, but good as a backup. I dont think he has what it takes to be a No.1..to consistently start games

Carter continues to play well, as do the twins. Another solid effort from Green, why can't the rest of the team play like him?

This team still needs a lot of work

[Yoata]

Auld was terrible tonight, but I'd be curious to know just what it is you're basing his supposed "lack of what it takes" on?

Does Clutzier have what it takes? If so, what's the difference between them, besides the fact that Auld is outplaying him this season?

[TimmyTabasco]

Auld was terrible tonight, but I'd be curious to know just what it is you're basing his supposed "lack of what it takes" on?

Does Clutzier have what it takes? If so, what's the difference between them, besides the fact that Auld is outplaying him this season?

I'm not in the mood for your games

And I'm not going to debate with you, as its a pointless game

Enjoy your milk and cookies :thumb:

[Yoata]

I'm not in the mood for your games

And I'm not going to debate with you, as its a pointless game

Enjoy your milk and cookies :thumb:

I don't appreciate your comments.

It's not a game, it's a legitimate question about your constant negative comments about Auld that just don't jive with the seemingly endless tolerance for Clutzier.

What is that last comment supposed to mean if you don't mind?

[slapshot™]

Not trolling here, 'nuck fans - but you guys really need to shore up your netminding situation. Not to delve too deep into comparisions between Edmonton and Vancouver but I would take Jussi/M&M over Auld/Cloutier without hesitation.

I still stick to my earlier comments (from years past) that Cloutier isn't any better than Tommy Salo and Auld is nothing more than a backup.

[Iced Tea]

Not trolling here, 'nuck fans - but you guys really need to shore up your netminding situation. Not to delve too deep into comparisions between Edmonton and Vancouver but I would take Jussi/M&M over Auld/Cloutier without hesitation.

I still stick to my earlier comments (from years past) that Cloutier isn't any better than Tommy Salo and Auld is nothing more than a backup.You're preaching to the choir here.

Any Canucks fan with half a brain knows that Cloutier is not the answer and we were surprised when the Canucks give him a two year deal. As for Auld, this is his first full time backup year so expectations aren't high.

As for Juicy and M&M, not sure that the Oilers are much better off than the Canucks although I will say that M&M looks very good so far.

[KB in Kelowna]

For whatever reason Nonis and Crow are sold on Cloutier, I used to think it was Burke being stubborn, but now I think Dan has polariods of somebody high up at Orca Bay. I am not one who thinks Auld is the answer. He has been ok in some games but has not stolen any games for the Canucks since he has been in. Last year in Manitoba he was outplayed by career back up and AHLer Wade Flaherty, who was the Moose starter for much of the season and playoffs if I recall correctly. Now unless my facts are wrong or Auld had some injury I can understand why some Nux fans are not sold on him, and why sice managament can't or won't move off the idea that Dan Cloutier is a top tier goal tender who can carry a team deep in the playoffs, that Coultier is the man in Van City.

[TimmyTabasco]

For whatever reason Nonis and Crow are sold on Cloutier, I used to think it was Burke being stubborn, but now I think Dan has polariods of somebody high up at Orca Bay. I am not one who thinks Auld is the answer. He has been ok in some games but has not stolen any games for the Canucks since he has been in. Last year in Manitoba he was outplayed by career back up and AHLer Wade Flaherty, who was the Moose starter for much of the season and playoffs if I recall correctly. Now unless my facts are wrong or Auld had some injury I can understand why some Nux fans are not sold on him, and why sice managament can't or won't move off the idea that Dan Cloutier is a top tier goal tender who can carry a team deep in the playoffs, that Coultier is the man in Van City.

KB Knows :nod:

[TimmyTabasco]

Not trolling here, 'nuck fans - but you guys really need to shore up your netminding situation. Not to delve too deep into comparisions between Edmonton and Vancouver but I would take Jussi/M&M over Auld/Cloutier without hesitation.

I still stick to my earlier comments (from years past) that Cloutier isn't any better than Tommy Salo and Auld is nothing more than a backup.

You make several good points

The dirty old tea bag answered most of them to a key

The thing is..who else do you think the Canucks could acquire? Nonis seems to be gunshy

Kolzig would be very good. However, that would have to be a trade deadline acquisition.

[Yoata]

Biggest meaningful difference between Clutzier and Auld is that one is proven to be brutal in the playoffs, the other, pretty much unproven.

I don't know about you but I know which one I prefer.

[charlio lemieux]

A Buffalo goalie should be coming up for grabs when Miller returns. I doubt if Biron is the answer, but he is an option.
Boucher is another goalie, who may want to move for more playing time. Again another streaky goalie who can be a wall or swiss cheese.

[slapshot™]

Biggest meaningful difference between the Liberals and the Conservatives is that one is proven to be brutal in the playoffs, the other, pretty much unproven.

I don't know about you but I know which one I prefer.

Fixed.

[Yoata]

Originally Posted by Yoata:
Biggest meaningful difference between the Liberals and the Conservatives is that one is proven to be brutal in office, the other, pretty much unproven.

I don't know about you but I know which one I prefer.

Fixed more gooder. ;)

[TimmyTabasco]

A Buffalo goalie should be coming up for grabs when Miller returns. I doubt if Biron is the answer, but he is an option.
Boucher is another goalie, who may want to move for more playing time. Again another streaky goalie who can be a wall or swiss cheese.

I prefer Noronen over Biron

He is usually alright, and has potential to a very solid netminder

[TimmyTabasco]

Biggest meaningful difference between Clutzier and Auld is that one is proven to be brutal in the playoffs, the other, pretty much unproven.

I don't know about you but I know which one I prefer.

Yes, Cloutier has been brutal in the playoffs. Everyone knows it.

BUT, can Auld be a No.1? So far he has shown that he is a very good backup, and a below average starter

I'd rather the Canucks acquire someone more proven for the playoffs.

Will it happen? It all depends on Nonis and the size of his balls

[Yoata]

Yes, Cloutier has been brutal in the playoffs. Everyone knows it.

BUT, can Auld be a No.1? So far he has shown that he is a very good backup, and a below average starter

I'd rather the Canucks acquire someone more proven for the playoffs.

Will it happen? It all depends on Nonis and the size of his balls

So... if Auld is a "below average starter", considering their stats this season, what does that make Clutzier?

Also, what makes him a "very good backup"? :conspire:

[TimmyTabasco]

So... if Auld is a "below average starter", considering their stats this season, what does that make Clutzier?

Also, what makes him a "very good backup"? :conspire:

If you have spent anytime around this place, or HF..you would know that I am not a huge fan of Cloutier. Many Canuck fans have accepted the fact that management is going with him. There isn't much more we can do about it.

Auld has played very well as a backup. You know..the odd game now and then. Thats what a backup does. However, he has only played as a fulltime backup..this season. So, the jury is still out on Mr. Clean

[Yoata]

If you have spent anytime around this place, or HF..you would know that I am not a huge fan of Cloutier. Many Canuck fans have accepted the fact that management is going with him. There isn't much more we can do about it.

Auld has played very well as a backup. You know..the odd game now and then. Thats what a backup does. However, he has only played as a fulltime backup..this season. So, the jury is still out on Mr. Clean

You didn't answer either of my questions, but thanks anyway.

[TimmyTabasco]

You didn't answer either of my questions, but thanks anyway.

Well, alright. Your welcome :D