Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Wild 4 Canucks 2
If you don't mind, I want to focus first on the positives of last night's 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. For example, the Canucks outshot the Wild 40-26, the second straight game they've put up 40 shots on goal. Much like in the Kings game, they also held the territorial advantage and generated more than a few scoring opportunities. If anything, the Canucks simply suffered from not having any puck luck and a blown call that led to Minnesota's go-ahead goal. If the Canucks keep generating scoring chances like that, I imagine they'll eventually put the puck into the net more often.
Or is it that simple?
There's no doubt that most Canucks fans will be calling for changes after a fourth consecutive loss (and sixth in seven games). I can hear the Mats Sundin and Peter Forsberg rumors gaining steam. I can hear Krajicek to Pittsburgh for Erik Christensen. In other words, I can hear the sky falling in Canucksland.
For the most part, I'm willing to ride out this slide. Every team goes through this and especially a team as decimated as the Canucks. Last night, they played again without Willie Mitchell, and as a result, had problems containing the Wild in front of the net. A perfect example was the Brian Rolston goal when Mike Weaver lost a battle in front of Roberto Luongo. Weaver only logged 8 minutes of ice-time, meaning Aaron Miller (19:08) and Lukas Krajicek (20:26 and he was in the penalty box for six minutes) had to play more. In an ideal world, Miller and Krajicek should log about 15-16 minutes.
One other I did notice is that, except for the Kesler, Cooke and Burrows line, the Canucks didn't get players in front of the net. The Burrows goal was a result of Kesler crashing the net. Ditto Pyatt's. The Canucks took a lot of shots from the outside and Backstrom gave up a lot of rebounds, but unfortunately, there was usually no one there to tap them in. Against the Kings, they didn't any traffic in front of Labarbera and he saw every single one of the Canucks' 46 shots.
More from the MSM:
Wednesday night versus the Blues.
______________
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, Minnesota+Wild
Or is it that simple?
There's no doubt that most Canucks fans will be calling for changes after a fourth consecutive loss (and sixth in seven games). I can hear the Mats Sundin and Peter Forsberg rumors gaining steam. I can hear Krajicek to Pittsburgh for Erik Christensen. In other words, I can hear the sky falling in Canucksland.
For the most part, I'm willing to ride out this slide. Every team goes through this and especially a team as decimated as the Canucks. Last night, they played again without Willie Mitchell, and as a result, had problems containing the Wild in front of the net. A perfect example was the Brian Rolston goal when Mike Weaver lost a battle in front of Roberto Luongo. Weaver only logged 8 minutes of ice-time, meaning Aaron Miller (19:08) and Lukas Krajicek (20:26 and he was in the penalty box for six minutes) had to play more. In an ideal world, Miller and Krajicek should log about 15-16 minutes.
One other I did notice is that, except for the Kesler, Cooke and Burrows line, the Canucks didn't get players in front of the net. The Burrows goal was a result of Kesler crashing the net. Ditto Pyatt's. The Canucks took a lot of shots from the outside and Backstrom gave up a lot of rebounds, but unfortunately, there was usually no one there to tap them in. Against the Kings, they didn't any traffic in front of Labarbera and he saw every single one of the Canucks' 46 shots.
More from the MSM:
- 0-17-1 and counting. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Line matching to Lemaire's advantage. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Louie outplayed again. (Gordon McIntyre, Vancouver Province)
- I'm sorry. I'd much rather make the playoffs sooner than later. (Cam Cole, Vancouver Sun)
- Good non-call my ass. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- You know, they're only two points back of first place... (Matthew Sekeres, Globe and Mail)
- Freakin' Bouchard. (John Shipley, Pioneer Press; Michael Russo, Star Tribune)
- Freakin' Bouchard. (Wild Puck Banter)
- Gotta stay positive. (Waiting for Stanley)
Wednesday night versus the Blues.
______________
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, Minnesota+Wild
Labels: game recap, Wild
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