"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.

Of course, contained in the media ‘fishbowl’ of Vancouver, the players are very well aware that their production must improve.  They’ve left virtually zero margin for error, having won their last six games by a single goal.  Winger David Booth, who got the better of Avalanche Mark Olver in a first period fight, mirrored Schneider’s sentiments.  ”Yeah, we do need to get more scoring opportunities and more goals.  But our mentality in the locker-room has been 1-0, 2-1 games. That’s the mentality and we know what we’ve got to do.”

Chris Higgins, finally free of staph infections, has the hot hand for the Canucks right now (photo courtesy of the Associated Press)

So while many choose to focus on their lack of offensive production, there are those who recognize the defensive improvements this team has made.  I think back to the “Westcoast Express” era (during their prime, 2005 – 2008), and how offensive minded they were.   On any given night, the top trio (Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi, Brendan Morrison) could explode for 3 or more goals, not to mention the Canucks’ second line with the Sedins and Anson Carter.  But, the teams Achilles heel was the defense, anchored by Dan Cloutier.  In stark contrast, the Canucks have never had the luxury they enjoy today.  Not only do they have one of the most potent offenses in the league, but they’ve never had 2 goal-tenders of this caliber.  Only Kirk McLean, and possibly Richard Brodeur hold a candle to either Luongo or Schneider.  Can you remember either of their backups?  I believe one was Kay Whitmore, and maybe Mike Fountain.

If the Canucks are to go far in the upcoming playoffs, I feel they are preparing for it in the proper manner.  With the tight races for the final playoff berths, especially in the Western conference, most teams are basically playing playoff style hockey now.  Winger Chris Higgins supported Schneider’s observations.

Obviously, we’d like to be scoring more goals than we are, but our goalies are playing phenomenal, both of them, and it’s just good practice. You can’t simulate this in practice, the intensity, the crowd, and we’re lucky to have some of these games down the stretch to get us comfortable in these situations.

The Canucks’ win over the Avalanche completed a six-game season series sweep.  It also marked the 400th straight sell-out for the Canucks, and it’s the third longest streak in major North American major-league sports.  Only the Boston Red Sox and the Dallas Mavericks have longer (sell-out) streaks.

Next up:  First the Dallas Stars on Friday, followed by the embattled Calgary Flames on Saturday, both at Rogers Arena.

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

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.

Duncan Keith’s actions were in stark contrast with a statement he made post-game, which left many fans angered.  ”I’m not trying to hurt anybody.  I hope he’s OK.  He’s one of their best players.  He needs to be on the ice.”  Thursday, Henrik Sedin gave the media an update on Daniel’s status.  ”He has symptoms, a little bit of a headache, which comes with a hit like that,” Henrik divulged.

Cory Schneider, named the games' 1st star, makes a save here on Alex Goligoski (photo thanks to Mike Stone, REUTERS)

So while the Blackhawks try to knock out Vancouver Canucks’ stars, the Canucks themselves managed to knock off the Dallas Stars Thursday with a 2-1 victory.  Cory Schneider was the story of the game, though he probably added a little bit of drama to the affair himself.  With the Canucks leading 2-0 in the third period, he went behind the net to play the puck, and attempted to make a pass.  He fanned on it, and Vernon Fiddler took the gift and scored, making it a one-goal game.  Schneider talked about that, as well as the second period penalty shot from Mike Ribeiro.

I felt pretty good playing the puck until that last one.  It was tough to put my team in that position but we didn’t crack…  I wasn’t real sure what (Ribeiro) was going to do with it, but he got it pretty tight. I don’t know if he was trying to go past my blocker or through my arm, but I was able to stay with it and make the save.

The Canucks will wrap up their current 4-game road trip in Colorado on Saturday when they visit the Avalanche.  Colorado currently sit in 9th place in the Western conference, tied with the Stars in points (85), but have played two more games.  The Avalanche allowed the Phoenix Coyotes to take over seventh spot following their 3-2 defeat Thursday in Arizona.

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

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.

The Canucks powerplay was also sporting a new look, which paid some dividends.  The powerplay had been ailing, with one goal in their last 24 attempts.  Ryan Kesler was manning the point, and was given the opportunity to unleash a couple of hard shots.  His rocket from the faceoff circle beat Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith over the glove.  David Booth also scored with the man advantage, converting a Chris Higgins behind-the-net feed.  Smith, who’s name has been added to the Vezina trophy discussion, was quite busy, facing 43 shots.

Ryan Kesler and the Canucks tried to stay on top of Antoine Vermette, but he still managed a goal and two assists (photo thanks to The Associated Press)

Roberto Luongo, who has two wins in his last eight starts, felt the team got away from doing some of the things that have made them successful throughout the season.  For the first time this season he allowed three or more goals in four straight starts.

I thought we generated a lot of offence, which is good (but) we have to play a patient game.  That’s the way we’re going to win.   Sometimes you’ve got to sacrifice some offense.  I can’t control the creation of odd-man rushes in front of me.  But I can control how I played them.  I would have liked to have made more saves.

The Canucks conclude their current 7 game homestand Saturday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Seven of Vancouver’s final twelve games will be at Roger’s arena.

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