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CANUCKS HOCKEY BLOG

Monday, November 19, 2007

Flames 1 Canucks 4

If you look at their statistics over the past six games, you'd never have guessed that the Canucks were missing two or three of their top-four defensemen.

  • 5-0-1 record in six games
  • 11 points out of a possible 12
  • 9 goals allowed in six games
  • +7 in even-strength goals
  • Louie's 1.47 GAA and .946 save percentage
What makes this run more remarkable is the fact that the Canucks have done it against divisional opponents and they've done it with a patched-up defense.

They're the only team in the league that hasn't lost in regulation time against a divisional opponent. Once 10 points back of the first-place Minnesota Wild, they're only three points back now. They play the Oilers and the Wild on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and if they somehow extend their win streak a couple more games, they could actually pass Minnesota. Now that's wild.

We've been saying this for a couple of weeks now, but the defense has stepped it up a notch. That they're doing it with Ohlund, Salo, Bieksa and Krajicek all missing games is impressive. That they're doing it with a couple of rookies and a waiver wire pick-up filling in is an eye-opener.

I can't say enough about Alex Edler's and Luc Bourdon's play.

In the last six games, Edler has played a lot - he's averaged more than 20 minutes of ice-time - and played well. He's moved up to the shutdown pairing with Willie Mitchell and he's chipped in with a couple of assists and a plus-two rating.

Luc has steadily gotten better and more comfortable during his six-game stint. Last night, he logged 17:48 minutes of ice-time and looked as steady as he's ever looked in a Canucks uniform. (It's helped, of course, that he's partnered up with veteran Aaron Miller and that Miller himself has played better.) Luc was a plus-one last night and is a combined plus-four since his call-up.

About the game around the blogosphere:

More from the mainstream:

Next game:

Tuesday night vs. the Edmonton Oilers

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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

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posted by J.J. Guerrero, 6:23 AM

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