The Canuck Way

“It’s Just the Way We’re Playing Right Now”

Larenzo — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:27:31 +0000

There’s a pattern creeping into the Vancouver Canucks’ game right now, but it’s up to you to decide if it’s a favorable one or not.

"I don't care what the fans want, I want some solid defense out there" (photo thanks to the Associated Press)

There’s an old sports adage “Defense wins championships”, and it would appear that the current Canuck cast has given that mantra some credence. The team has only scored eight goals in their last six games, but have won four straight, the last two being 1-0 shutout wins. With the teams’ offensive nature suddenly stifled, they’ve had to find other ways to win. Their power play is a real head-scratcher, scoring only once in their last 20 attempts. Since the All-Star break, only 4 teams have scored fewer goals, which has pundits wondering how they’re still in the race to finish first in the Western conference, as well as first overall.

During Wednesday’s game against a desperate Colorado Avalanche team, Cory Schneider stopped all 43 shots he faced, earning his 3rd shutout of the season.

It’s just the way we are playing right now. We are trying to play a smart game, trying to play good defence. If we win these games 5-4 and in shootouts and give up a lot of odd-man rushes, we’d be getting criticized for that. Obviously, the guys in the offensive end want to score, but at the same time we have done a good job of protecting leads and hanging on. … [visit site to read more]

“It’s Just the Way We’re Playing Right Now” - The Canuck Way - The Canuck Way - A Vancouver Canucks blog

Knocking Out Stars

Larenzo — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:16:36 +0000

As Vancouver Canucks fans nervously await a diagnosis on Daniel Sedin, post-Duncan Keith elbow, they got a small measure of good news Thursday night.

Mason Raymond had a strong game for the Canucks, scoring and adding an assist (photo thanks to Mike Stone, REUTERS)

All the talk in Vancouver over the past 48 hours has been reaction to Chicago Blackhawks’ Duncan Keith, and his calculated, head-targeting blind side elbow to Daniel Sedin. TSN’s Bob McKenzie has followed the situation closely, and his tweets initially indicated that Keith would have a phone-in hearing, which would indicated Keith would receive 5 games or less as a punishment. But subsequent tweets say that the league now wants to have an in-person hearing, meaning the suspension could be 6 games or more. At this stage, it is unknown if Keith will waive his right to an in-person hearing, but the league’s intentions should be known later this morning.

Meanwhile, reaction to the incident from head coach Alain Vigneault highlighted the teams’ frustration with the illegal hit.

I expected a major, and I got a minor, so we’ll let the league deal with it. You saw the hit, you didn’t see a puck near the hit, you guys make the judgement call on that and the league will do what they have to do. Everybody saw the headshot there, so (Sedin will be) re-evaluated tomorrow and I’ll know more from there. [It was] deliberate, principal point of contact, everything you’re trying to take out of the game. … [visit site to read more]

Knocking Out Stars - The Canuck Way - The Canuck Way - A Vancouver Canucks blog

New Lines, Mixed Results

Larenzo — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:07:42 +0000

With a dozen games left in the Vancouver Canucks’ regular season schedule, it’s more about rediscovering past form than ‘fine tuning’ for the playoffs.

During the time of year where most coaches are making smaller, more subtle changes to their structure, head coach Alain Vigneault appears to be trying anything and everything to curtail the teams’ current losing woes. The Canucks entered Wednesday’s game with the Phoenix Coyotes having lost 3 of their last 4, all on home ice. He once again put players in the ‘blender’, hoping to shake up his lines and combinations, but with mixed results.

Mason Raymond skated with the Sedins during even-strength play Wednesday (photo courtesy of The Associated Press)

Winger Mason Raymond, having offensive challenges of his own, was moved to the top line with the Sedins, while Alex Burrows was shifted to the third line with Samuel Pahlsson and Jannik Hansen. Vigneault hoped that Raymond’s speed could help spark the Sedins, who were trying to avoid career worst 8 and 9 game pointless streaks. While Henrik managed two assists, and Daniel registered one, both were a minus -1 on the night. Kevin Bieksa was on the ice for all 3 Coyotes even strength goals. He was asked post-game if he felt the (line) changes helped.

We scored four goals, let in five, you tell me. It doesn’t matter what the lines are. We had the same personnel basically in the lineup so we still had to go out and perform. No matter who you’re playing with. … [visit site to read more]

New Lines, Mixed Results - The Canuck Way - The Canuck Way - A Vancouver Canucks blog