vs Stars GDT

[KB in Kelowna]

Well, it is an early game on HNIC for some of us. Do they bump the recent slump or does the misery and dysfunction continue?
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=Preview&gameNumber=1083&season=20072008&gameType=2

[rustybadcock]

Yeah, by chance I checked to see what the early game was...:eek: and to my surprise.

The boys will have a test big time tonight. Lets see what they bring....:coffee:

RB

[AtLossForWords]

I don't know about this one. They might really step up their game against a good team after two humiliating losses, but there's no reason to think they won't lose these last two Pacific Division matchups, and really place hope in the stretch run against divisional foes.

[gordphish]

Two teams in a funk. Stars take an ugly snoozer, 2-1.

[KB in Kelowna]

Some times you just get lucky. If Turco starts, the Canucks don't go up 3-0. However a win is a win and timely, they keep pace in the playoff hunt.:thumb:

[AtLossForWords]

The second period is really a period that you just have to survive against Dallas. Turco won't let your team make the long change, and that allows Dallas to really put the pressure on.

That's the one thing we are never going to see with Luongo in net, he can't play the puck and take away the dump and chase to relieve the pressure. Belfour and Brodeur are excellent puck players and a lot of success in their career is because they are so wise with the puck they can take the pressure of their teams' all by themselves.

Turco played a great game when he came in for Dallas from his work in his crease and out.

This team played a very good third period, and that may just show why Dallas is so successful in the second, because Turco really helped put the pressure on our team.

[rustybadcock]

Nice effort. Sure, the 3 zip lead evaporated but hey, the Stars are an excellent team and teams like that can manage being down so early.

I liked seeing Pettinger with Naslund and Mo. This is potentially a very good line, something I suggested when Petty arrived I believe....;) :laughing: I sure like his energy and his hands arn't so bad either. There was a play behind the Dallas net last night where he pulled a guys jock off and fed the puck to Naslund. I also really like seeing a healthy Brendan Morrison out there. So nice to see him flying. Looks really intense too, he's leadership has been missed.

I thought Cowan Linden and Rypien played well too when they did play. I also liked (especially liked) that the Twins were split up! We looked more balanced last night, something I haven't seen in some time now.

I must say however, Luongo wasn't too sharp out there for a few goals, later in the game he really turned it on but earlier on....:slant:

Mitchell = awesome! His commitment to this team winning is apparent at all times. Taking a mouth full of puck and staying in the game to log over 30 mins....there were two plays that really stand out for me. The one great stick check on Richards early in the game and then I believe Hagman was in the slot and Willie just nailed him off the puck and to the ice. Perfect positioning, the guys a walking text book on how the position should be played.

the officiating is getting worse and worse. Last night was down right embarrassing at times. Terrible. The Salo high stick....:no: :eyebug: :burning: Yeah right....this is never ending it seems and when Bieksa slammed the box door to get 2 more tacked onto his BS call I nearly puked. What a terrible thing they've done to our great game.

Hopefully these types of lines will remain. I don't think the Coyotes will be able to defend against the balanced attack of last night. We need to make them skate out of position more, with this line up we can accomplish this task.

RB

[gordphish]

Nice effort. Sure, the 3 zip lead evaporated but hey, the Stars are an excellent team and teams like that can manage being down so early.

I liked seeing Pettinger with Naslund and Mo. This is potentially a very good line, something I suggested when Petty arrived I believe....;) :laughing: I sure like his energy and his hands arn't so bad either. There was a play behind the Dallas net last night where he pulled a guys jock off and fed the puck to Naslund. I also really like seeing a healthy Brendan Morrison out there. So nice to see him flying. Looks really intense too, he's leadership has been missed.

I thought Cowan Linden and Rypien played well too when they did play. I also liked (especially liked) that the Twins were split up! We looked more balanced last night, something I haven't seen in some time now.

I must say however, Luongo wasn't too sharp out there for a few goals, later in the game he really turned it on but earlier on....:slant:

Mitchell = awesome! His commitment to this team winning is apparent at all times. Taking a mouth full of puck and staying in the game to log over 30 mins....there were two plays that really stand out for me. The one great stick check on Richards early in the game and then I believe Hagman was in the slot and Willie just nailed him off the puck and to the ice. Perfect positioning, the guys a walking text book on how the position should be played.

the officiating is getting worse and worse. Last night was down right embarrassing at times. Terrible. The Salo high stick....:no: :eyebug: :burning: Yeah right....this is never ending it seems and when Bieksa slammed the box door to get 2 more tacked onto his BS call I nearly puked. What a terrible thing they've done to our great game.

Hopefully these types of lines will remain. I don't think the Coyotes will be able to defend against the balanced attack of last night. We need to make them skate out of position more, with this line up we can accomplish this task.

RB

Just to play devil's advocate here, I wonder how much Tippett's decision to give Holmqvist his first start combined with the fact that the Stars had three rookie defensemen in the lineup contributed to the Canucks getting that 3-0 lead. With Turco back in, the Stars beat them 3-1.

Certainly I think splitting the twins up was a factor...the oppostion never sees this, so likely doesn't have anything worked out to defend against it. But then again, it wasn't the Sedins doing the scoring.

Agreed about the Pettinger, Naslund, Morrison line...for now.

All in all, it leaves me with a very familiar feeling of frustration, one that leads me to ask..."WHERE THE HELL WAS THAT EFFORT IN ANAHEIM AND PHOENIX?"

[AtLossForWords]

I think splitting up the Sedins was next to useless, and that was because they still haven't contributed for this team for like a month now. Sure you had to break them up, but that's because you can't keep trying the same thing with no success.

I hope the Naslund, Pettinger, and Morrison line continues to shine. Those three guys looked great whenever they had the puck last night. If Morrison is really healthy, and he continues to skate hard they will make a good line for us. The Sedins are what I'm worried about. Over the last week they look like they may never score a goal ever again.

[gordphish]

Well, tonight's game is huge. Win, and they gain on either Colorado or Minnesota for sure because those two play each other tonight.

So who do you cheer for in that one? If the Wild can win in regulation and the Canucks can get two vs the Coyotes, that leaves the Canucks even with the Avs with a game in hand and two head-to-head games remaining.

However, if the Canucks have any hope of somehow winning the division, they have to be pulling for Colorado because the Wild have two more wins than Vancouver...tying them in points won't cut it.

Either way, the Canucks can't look past this one and hope to start making their push in their final 9 against the Northwest. They HAVE to have these two points tonight because one of either the Wild or the Avs are guaranteed two tonight.

BTW, Happy St. Patty's Day everyone!

[Nelson19777]

What's up? No time to start the GDT, Gord?;) I just made one.

I think you actually just cheer for a regulation win. I don't wanna see any extra points in that one. We still have two games vs both, so it's up to us to get the wins in those games to secure the better record.

[gordphish]

What's up? No time to start the GDT, Gord?;) I just made one.

I think you actually just cheer for a regulation win. I don't wanna see any extra points in that one. We still have two games vs both, so it's up to us to get the wins in those games to secure the better record.

The problem is Nelson that if the Wild win and the Canucks lose in regulation, the Wild will have a four point lead with three more wins and an equal number of games left. That means they can drop both games to the Canucks in regulation and still finish ahead of them.

If the Avs win and the Canucks lose in regulation, it does pretty much seal the tie breaker for them, with a four point AND a four win advantage. But the Canucks have a game in hand on the Avs to go with the two head to head games.

Unfortunately, the Canucks do not control their own fate. The Wild, Avs and Flames all have more wins than they do on top of being ahead of them in the standings. For the Canucks to win the division, they need help and lots of it, starting tonight.