Dec 21: Canucks vs Oilers again

[Iced Tea]

Oilers-Canucks Preview

GAME: Edmonton Oilers (19-11-4) at Vancouver Canucks (20-9-4).

TIME: Wednesday, 10 p.m. EST.

Now is not the best time for the Vancouver Canucks to start losing games at home.

Vancouver begins a stretch of three straight contests against Northwest Division opponents when it continues its season-high six-game homestand with a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.

After winning 13 of their first 14 at home, the Canucks have lost two straight at GM Place. In both games, Vancouver blew a two-goal lead and gave up a short-handed goal to tie the contest.

"We need to be held more accountable," forward Todd Bertuzzi said. "They were two for-sure wins and it's frustrating."

The division-leading Canucks face Edmonton Wednesday before back-to-back games with Calgary on Friday and Monday. The Oilers and Flames are both two points behind Vancouver in the Northwest, and are a combined 5-0 against the Canucks this season.

Vancouver led Edmonton 4-2 in the third period on Saturday before the Oilers rallied for a 5-4 victory in overtime. On Monday, the Canucks wasted a 2-0 first-period lead in a 4-3 shootout loss to Los Angeles.

The Oilers have overcome two-goal deficits in winning each of their last three games.

Shawn Horcoff had his first two-goal game since opening night and Fernando Pisani's goal with 45 seconds left in the third period gave Edmonton a 5-4 win over the Flames on Monday.

"We never give up," Horcoff said. "We wear a lot of teams down."

Igor Ulanov had the first two-goal game of his career and Ethan Moreau had two assists to extend his point streak to a career-high seven games.

"Goals are such great confident builders for players," Oilers coach Craig MacTavish said. "(Horcoff) was making a play every time he touched the puck."

Ales Hemsky has five assists in his last three games overall, and has three goals and five assists in his last five contests against Vancouver.

STANDINGS: Oilers - 42 points, 2nd place (tied), 2 PB, Northwest Division. Canucks - 44 points, 1st place, Northwest Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Oilers - Ryan Smyth, 14 goals; Horcoff and Hemsky, 24 assists and 31 points; Moreau, 51 PIM. Canucks - Markus Naslund, 18 goals and 37 points; Henrik Sedin, 22 assists; Wade Brookbank, 63 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Oilers - Power play: 17.8 percent (37 for 207), 14th in NHL. Penalty killing: 82.9 percent (170 for 205), 14th. Canucks - Power play: 16.5 percent (37 for 223), 16th (tied). Penalty killing: 82.5 percent (166 for 201), 17th (tied).

GOALTENDERS: Oilers - Jussi Markkanen (12-9-3, 2.96 GAA); Mike Morrison (5-1-0, 2.35). Canucks - Alex Auld (12-6-2, 2.66); Maxime Ouellet (0-0-1, 4.69).

SEASON SERIES: Oilers, 3-0.

LAST MEETING: Saturday; Oilers, 5-4 (OT). At Vancouver, British Columbia, Mike Peca netted the winning goal 4:08 into overtime as Edmonton snapped the Canucks' six-game home winning streak.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Oilers - 11-7-2 on the road; Canucks - 13-1-2 at home.Link (http://www.nhl.com/scores/previews/501_2_preview.html)

Here we go again. I hope this result is better than the last 3 games versus the Oilers.

[KB in Kelowna]

Play for 60 minutes, that is all I ask. If they do that they should win. No giving up 2 goal leads. Or KB and Iced Tea road trip down to Vancouver and pick up Tabasco and Burns and rampage at GM Place!:laughing:

[Iced Tea]

Play for 60 minutes, that is all I ask. If they do that they should win. No giving up 2 goal leads. Or KB and Iced Tea road trip down to Vancouver and pick up Tabasco and Burns and rampage at GM Place!:laughing:Just let me know if I pick you up at your office or house. :laughing:

[TimmyTabasco]

Well..what can one say?

It was an entertaining game, but both teams played poor defense.

The goaltending on both sides was horrible. However, Auld was the better..and did make some nice saves. It appeared Crawford has no confidence in the Omlette.

Oh well, what can you do? Move onto the next

[slapshot™]

Oh well, what can you do? Move onto the next

Damn...against the Flames. Given the choice that someone has to win...go 'nucks!

[charlio lemieux]

Did anybody see a goaltender last night? :D
I was looking for the first two periods but then I gave up. :D

Biron would have won that game.:wicked: Would have been a freakin' shutout!:laughing: :laughing: Infact he would have scored a goal himself!:rollover2

You want Eddie? He comes with a lifetime supply of Geritol. :D

He he he he

Crow should just make Jovo a forward.

Is Morrison really that bad that Bertuzzi has to take faceoffs for him?

Naslund must be hurt, (I heard a sore groin) because is has been no where as dangerous as he can be. Only one assist out of all that scoring. :confused:
Is it just me or do the Sedins look bigger this year?

[Iced Tea]

Did anybody see a goaltender last night? :D
I was looking for the first two periods but then I gave up. :D

Biron would have won that game.:wicked: Would have been a freakin' shutout!:laughing: :laughing: Infact he would have scored a goal himself!:rollover2

You want Eddie? He comes with a lifetime supply of Geritol. :D

He he he he

Crow should just make Jovo a forward.

Is Morrison really that bad that Bertuzzi has to take faceoffs for him?

Naslund must be hurt, (I heard a sore groin) because is has been no where as dangerous as he can be. Only one assist out of all that scoring. :confused:
Is it just me or do the Sedins look bigger this year?While I believe you are trying to be funny, you bring up some valid points.

Jovo does tend to forget he's a defenseman too much and may as well be up front.

Morrison does blow at faceoffs this season and isn't playing any where near the top of his game this season.

Rumours are that Naslund has a groin problem and should be sitting out a few games.

Sedins have been hitting the gym and might be on the Bertuzzi gym schedule.

As for the game, it wasn't a goaltenders' duel that's for sure.

Good things:
1. Lots of scoring and 6 different Canucks got goals.
2. Powerplay was 5 for 9.
3. Bertuzzi, Ruutu, Morrison, Daniel Sedin and Jovanovski had multiple points.
4. Rick Rypien, who I've never heard of, got a goal.

Bad things:
1. Defensive play started the Christmas break a few days early.
2. Jovo forgot he is a defenseman
3. Canucks D Nolan Baumgartner left two minutes into the game after the tip of the ring finger on his left hand was severed blocking a shot. The tip was reattached and Baumgartner said he expects to be out as long as two weeks.Link (http://www.nhl.com/scores/recaps/501_2_recap.html)

First, Owwwwwwwww. Second, Baumer is playing well and will certainly be missed during his recovery period.

Better to forget this game and hope the Canucks smarten up before the next game.