Vancouver Canucks

[ridinryan44]

AV has stated that manny Malhotra has been fully cleared to play. It official baby. Does he play in game 1? I say so. Fourth line minutes in place of Hodgson.

[ridinryan44]

It sounds as though Manny Malhotra may not play in game one after all. Lineups in practice (though not set in stone for gametime) saw Bolduc centering Tambellini and Bolduc.

This isn't a guarantee that he won't play, but it's definitely an eye-opener.

[ross10019]

It sounds as though Manny Malhotra may not play in game one after all. Lineups in practice (though not set in stone for gametime) saw Bolduc centering Tambellini and Bolduc.

This isn't a guarantee that he won't play, but it's definitely an eye-opener.

Ryan, was listening to Team990 Montreal and someone seemed to mentioned that there is still an issue with his peripheral vision, something like that - but I think he's still pretty darn close, and it's an absolutely amazing recovery when you consider the severity of that injury, what a warrior.

[ridinryan44]

Ryan, was listening to Team990 Montreal and someone seemed to mentioned that there is still an issue with his peripheral vision, something like that - but I think he's still pretty darn close, and it's an absolutely amazing recovery when you consider the severity of that injury, what a warrior.

Absolutely. While he is cleared to play, I think both he and the team want to make sure that he is going to be better than the other options. If he isn't going to be able to see and thus play as well as he likes than they will stick with who is healthy and has been playing. I'd love to see him back, but only if he's healthy.

[ridinryan44]

Fourth line will be:

Tambellini-Bolduc-Oreskovich


Erhoff and Rome both draw back into the lineup, Ballard and Tanev are out.

[dyzfunctioned]

Poor Ballard. I've actually thought Tanev has played well too.

[bondon]

Poor Ballard. I've actually thought Tanev has played well too.

They both played really well in Game 5 IMO...obviously other than Ballard trying to catch a slapshot with his glove lol.

[ridinryan44]

Poor Ballard. I've actually thought Tanev has played well too.

Yea, Ballard has had it tough, but he's prone to at least one glaring mistake each game. Tanev has been great, and should turn out to be one hell of a FA signing. Ballard could potentially be playing if they needed his wheels and puck-moving skills (can't ever have enough) but other than Edler, no one on the blue line can step up physically like Rome can.

[ridinryan44]

For a game that ended 1-0 on a goal scored with only nine seconds left in the game, it was one hell of a start to what is going to be a tight series. I can't disagree more with Don Cherry when he said it was a terrible game; the action was back and forth, the energy was high, there were a ton of shots on goal and the goalie duel came as advertised.

-It is an absolute treat to watch Tim Thomas play in net. Carey Price is my favorite goalie to watch as he slows everything down, never expends to much energy and makes it look simple. Tim Thomas is my second favorite goalie to watch, but I'd almost have to say it's a tie as the two styles couldn't be more different. Thomas plays so far out of his net, making it virtually impossible for a long, unobstructed puck to make it through. His save on Janik Hansen on the breakaway in the third was disgusting, throwing his right leg down, behind and around him to block the five-hole that Hansen was so obviously shooting at. What a stud and a treat for us fans to watch.

-Burrows was an idiot last night. His first penalty was so unnecessary, his second was straight out dirty, and his third was just something you don't risk in a big game. Whether or not Thomas was way out of his crease, sold the trip or whatever he did, get your leg out of the way. Goaltender interference is going to be called, don't take the risk, especially after two bad penalties. The bite absolutely disgusted me. Sure, one can argue that Bergeron's mitts were near his mouth but Burrows damn well chased that glove with his mouth like a fat dude on a treadmill reaching for his hoagie "carrot". It's not like he just bit down and stopped, he biiiiiiiittttttt down for a good six seconds, and then tried to sell it to Bergeron as necessary. I love Burrows, but there is no place in the game for that shit.

-Other than that, Burrows played a great game.

-Does he get suspended?? I doubt it. Do I think he should? Yea. I don't think that kind of action has any place in our game and if it were regular season I think he would. While it's ridiculous, I don't think it's worse than some other offenses that have taken place which haven't resulted in suspensions, so basing my decision on consistency, I say they let it fly with a fine. Burrows is really gonna miss that $2500.

-Edler was fantastic. NO mistakes that I could see, stepping up with hits and wringing a shot off the crossbar. He was everywhere and was the Canucks best dman.

-Big loss if Hamhuis is out. It's one thing to lose any starter, but Hamhuis is the most consistent shutdown dman we have. He will be sorely missed on the PK and playing against the top line if he's out. Thank god for depth, Gillis' attempt to fix our ridiculous dman injury history could be put to the test.

-Kesler looked just fine, in case anyone missed the game. No signs of a groin injury, or whatever it may have been. He was one of the best forwards, as usual, and was instrumental in the play that caused the turnover (Boychuk stepping up for the hit) and threw a perfect cross-ice pass over to Hansen who put it right on Torres' stick.

-Hansen was fantastic tonight and his pass to Torres was perfect. The only way we're going to beat Thomas is by getting him moving laterally. Good on Hansen to make the quick pass, and good on Torres for having the insight to only put one touch on the puck. Had he held on, Thomas may have gotten over in time.

-Chara was good, but not dominant. Boston is going to need him to step up and lead the charge. He seemed to have more energy than in the last series but Vancouver was able to beat him to pucks and force turnovers on more than one occasion.

-Luongo was solid and confident all night. His rebound control was good and he was playing with poise that has only been here and there in the past. The confidence of both goalies was evident and it felt as though neither was going to ever get scored on. It's been a long time since I've felt that way about Luongo, and it felt real good like.

-Both top lines were good, but not great. They should show up more as both teams tire over time. Krejci was Boston's best player out there, IMO.

-Denis Seidenberg could be one of the most underrated players in the NHL. This guy is damn good. How come nobody knows it?

-Recchi had an open net that would have put the B's up 1-0. He put it off the outside of the post on the PP. Big miss for the Recchin' ball. I can't remember where I read that the B's need to switch his 15 minutes of icetime with Seguin's 6...what do you think? Youth over veteran leadership and knowledge?


Next game is on Saturday and I expect much of the same. Both teams are well rested, Vancouver a little bit more so. Look for both goalies to standout once again, and I expect a one or two goal game. As they tire, I expect to see the goal totals go up.

Here's to a fantastic SCF, looking forward to discussing it with all you mofo's!

[4T2]

I have to give Kesler some credit here. He was amazing last night. Almost always in a dangerous position on the ice. Having the sense to drag his toe on the line last night was unbelievable. Big game player who came up huge for the Canucks in Game 1. He should be the hero for everyone, not Torres. If the Canucks do manage to take the Cup home (which won't happen), he deserves the Conn Smythe hands down.

[ridinryan44]

I have to give Kesler some credit here. He was amazing last night. Almost always in a dangerous position on the ice. Having the sense to drag his toe on the line last night was unbelievable. Big game player who came up huge for the Canucks in Game 1. He should be the hero for everyone, not Torres. If the Canucks do manage to take the Cup home (which won't happen), he deserves the Conn Smythe hands down.

Agreed. Kesler has been the catalyst all playoffs.

[ridinryan44]

Sorry for the lack of updates, it's been a couple of crazy weeks. Camping, work etc.
I'm going to try and avoid talking too much about the finals as there is so much emotion involved. I'll wait 'til it's over.

Some food for thought:

How about a Cory Schneider deal with Phoenix now that Bryzgalov is out of the way. Someone like a Max Goncharov, Brendan Gormley, Mikkel Boedker or Brett MacLean could be interesting. Also, in an article posted in the Phoenix section talked about them looking to move up or down in the draft. A jump up to the 20 position could be good for Vancouver, depending on who's available at that time.

With Bryzgalov out of the picture now and Labarbera a good backup but not a starter, Cory Schneder makes some sense for PHO and they have a few pieces Van could be interested in. I don't see an older veteran goalie pining to sign in PHO, though it could happen. I think PHO will be more interested in finding that long term guy...

[4T2]

A female Canucks fan apparently got by security in body paint made to look like a t-shirt. Even with that logo, I'd still have to hit that, hot as ****!

Here's a link, but probably NSFW

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3v4F5uL61...Bwallpaper.jpg

[4T2]

A female Canucks fan apparently got by security in body paint made to look like a t-shirt. Even with that logo, I'd still have to hit that, hot as ****!

Here's a link, but probably NSFW

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3v4F5uL61...Bwallpaper.jpg

[austeane]

Niiiiiceee haha... That is awesome! Lol I like being a Nucks fan even more now! I really like her.. logo (s)...