Sunday, October 08, 2006
So Far So Good
Funny what two consecutive road wins to start the season does to a team's - and a fan's - confidence. So far, we've watched the Canucks beat the Red Wings in Detroit then pull out a third period comeback in Columbus. Now going into tonight's game against the Colorado Avalanche, they need to build on the many positives from those games.
While the offense scored only six goals, the Canucks also spent long portions of both games controlling the play. They forced a lot of turnovers in the neutral zone and turned them into scoring opportunities. For two games at least, Alain Vigneault has been able to squeeze some extra something out of his entire roster (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
For the Avs, Jerseys and Hockey Love (JAHL) sees tonight as a must-win game:
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Colorado+Avalanche
While the offense scored only six goals, the Canucks also spent long portions of both games controlling the play. They forced a lot of turnovers in the neutral zone and turned them into scoring opportunities. For two games at least, Alain Vigneault has been able to squeeze some extra something out of his entire roster (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
Alexandre Burrows has seen this movie before and gives it two thumbs up. So don't be surprised to see another replay here tonight.And as long as the "O-Line" continues to do their part, the team seemingly has enough offense to complement their commitment to defense. So far so good.
When Alain Vigneault juggled lines Friday in Columbus with the Canucks trailing 2-0 in the third period-- it helped spark a 3-2 overtime victory -- it reminded Burrows of what often transpired in Manitoba last season.
"If things didn't work he wasn't afraid to change things up -- even on the power play," Burrows recalled of Vigneault's Moose mentoring. "It's good. It keeps guys accountable and the bottom line is he wants to win every game."
(snip)
Matt Cooke had five shots Friday, Kesler had three as did fourth-liner Josh Green. That's why the Canucks are quietly confident and aren't buying the hype that they're a one-line team.
"That's totally wrong," said Daniel. "The first period [Friday], our fourth line was our best line."
Vigneault's challenge again tonight is to get equal effort from every line.
For the Avs, Jerseys and Hockey Love (JAHL) sees tonight as a must-win game:
The Avs need a win now in a bad way. Even though they have gotten a point out of each of the first two games this season, they now have something to prove, that the talent that has left hasn't hurt the team as bad off as it may appear. They have to prove that they are still contenders, even though the conventional wisdom is they are too devastated by change. And as they head into almost an entire week off, two points tonight (without giving any to the Canucks) could help keep them up with the league. Getting two points in two games may not be bad, it's the four points they gave up that do the damage, and ask the questions of this team.Puck drop tonight is at 5:00 PM. TV broadcast is on Sportsnet Pacific; radio play-by-play on Team 1040.
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Colorado+Avalanche
1 Comments:
1) As we've mentioned on this excellent site before, we expect the 'Nucks to be competitive in almost all their games
2) With Luongo and a better defensive scheme (Shhhh-trap) they will win their share of close games, but like last night will also lose a few as well.
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