Monday, April 30, 2007
Ducks 3 Canucks 2
If only the Canucks had some power in their powerplay, they could be up 2-1 in their series against the Ducks instead of the other way around. Here are the powerplay stats that you're going to hear a lot today: the Canucks were 1-for-8 on the powerplay, including two lengthy 5-on-3's, and the Ducks were 2-for-4; in the postseason, the Canucks are 4-for-58 (6.9%) with the man-advantage.
Their lack of efficiency with the man-advantage isn't exactly a surprise. Their 17.2% success rate in the regular season was in the bottom-third of the league, and going into last night's game, they had only scored on three of their 50 powerplay opportunities in the postseason. They did score on one last night, but it's the seven they didn't that was the difference in the game.
Other than that, there are still some positive things to take from the game. For consecutive games now, I don't think that the Canucks were outplayed, and in fact, were better on even-strength and carried the play for much of the first period. Heck, they were able to draw eight penalties, right? Sure the Ducks came on stronger once they got some powerplay time, but until Corey Perry's game-winner, it was really anyone's game. If the Canucks were only able to connect on their own powerplay chance (or two or three), the game could have had a happier ending.
And that's probably what's most disappointing about the game. The Canucks had a glorious chance to give the Ducks their first series deficit in these playoffs. Instead, they face a must-win game on Tuesday. I know all these games are must-win games, but Tuesday's is more so for the simple reason that the Canucks wouldn't want to travel to Anaheim down three games to one.
More from the Mainstream
About the game around the blogosphere
My 3 Stars of the Game
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 4 on Tuesday night at 7:30 PM.
______________
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, Anaheim+Ducks
Their lack of efficiency with the man-advantage isn't exactly a surprise. Their 17.2% success rate in the regular season was in the bottom-third of the league, and going into last night's game, they had only scored on three of their 50 powerplay opportunities in the postseason. They did score on one last night, but it's the seven they didn't that was the difference in the game.
Other than that, there are still some positive things to take from the game. For consecutive games now, I don't think that the Canucks were outplayed, and in fact, were better on even-strength and carried the play for much of the first period. Heck, they were able to draw eight penalties, right? Sure the Ducks came on stronger once they got some powerplay time, but until Corey Perry's game-winner, it was really anyone's game. If the Canucks were only able to connect on their own powerplay chance (or two or three), the game could have had a happier ending.
And that's probably what's most disappointing about the game. The Canucks had a glorious chance to give the Ducks their first series deficit in these playoffs. Instead, they face a must-win game on Tuesday. I know all these games are must-win games, but Tuesday's is more so for the simple reason that the Canucks wouldn't want to travel to Anaheim down three games to one.
More from the Mainstream
- Paying a price for power outage. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- They're storming out of the gate. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Canucks d-men did their job. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Tough night for Luongo. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- One fact in the fog is pretty clear. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Trying to fly with three lines. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Pretty good is not good enough. (Cam Cole, Vancouver Sun)
- Extra man no advantage for Canucks. (Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun)
- Opportunities wasted. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Jiggy jams door close on Canucks. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Ducks know when to turn on power. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Perry comes on strong when it counts. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
- Corey Perry scores the winner. (Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun)
- Ducks victory a grind-out affair. (Dan Wood, OC Register)
- Ducks take advantage of disadvantage. (Dan Wood, OC Register)
- A day in the mines. (Mark Whicker, OC Register)
- Ducks show killer instinct in 3-2 win. (Eric Stephens, LA Times)
- Ducks' Perry provides the smart moves. (Helene Elliott, LA Times)
- Alexander Edler's goal was to make farm team. (Jim Morris, Canadian Press via NHL.com)
About the game around the blogosphere
- Alanah's come down with the flu (real flu or what the Canucks call a flu?) but shares her postgame thoughts anyway.
- Mike had the liveblog going again.
- More from zanstorm and Hanna.
My 3 Stars of the Game
- Jean-Sebastien Giguere (ANA): Withstood the early Canucks barrage.
- Corey Perry (ANA): A goal and an assist.
- Markus Naslund (VAN): Second goal in as many games. Lots of other chances.
Official Statistics
Next Game
Game 4 on Tuesday night at 7:30 PM.
______________
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, Anaheim+Ducks
Labels: Believe In Blue, game recap
4 Comments:
Please, do a pre-game blog next game! No gameday blog, no win!!!
The powerplay was the biggest reason for the loss, yeah. I guess with our consistent shady PP, that's where Luongo comes in and is the big difference-maker. Last night, Louie was not good enough. We are going to have to beat the Ducks 2-1 almost every time it seems. If our PP was decent, we could score more than 3 goals per game. But I don't see that happening.
Vigneault mentioned a personnel change on the PP lines for next game. I would suggest giving Bulis and Hansen a go for once.
Johan - I always plan on it. Unfortunately, we stayed at my mom-in-law's this Saturday and she doesn't have Internet access. There'll be one tomorrow for sure!
zanstorm - I agree. I'm all for giving some of the other guys some PP time. Bulis and Hansen certainly deserve, at the very least, a look and see if they can some speed and urgency to it. It can't really much worse, eh?
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