Canucks defenseman Sami Salo is the last player to leave the ice at first intermission after blocking a powerplay blast (all photos courtesy of Yardbarker)

Much like the Detroit Red Wings’ 7-1, Game 4 victory over the San Jose Sharks in front of Joe Louis Arena faithfuls, the Canucks have earned some redemption.  Though the Red Wings lost a close one the following game in San Jose, it was nonetheless a classy display put on by Niklas Lidstrom and company.  There is far too much pride and respect within the Wings’ organization to allow a team to sweep them out of the playoffs.  Now, I’m not comparing the Wings and Canucks’ history or achievements; obviously closer to apples and oranges they couldn’t be.  But the Canucks reached down and mustered a statement, as beat up as they were coming into the game, and that show of heart is not lost on Canuck followers.

No more evident was this mentality and committment than Sami Salo at the end of the first period, with the Blackhawks on the power play.  With literally just over a second remaining, Salo did what many Canucks did in Game 5: Put his body on the line.   Perhaps one of the most notable things the Canucks had yet to match the Blackhawks in during this series to this point was sacrificing the body.  Though Salo was jostling with a Hawk forward and the puck was slightly redirected, he was still fighting to get into the lane when it happened.  It cost him a lot of pain, and a trip to Northwestern hospital (injury is still undisclosed, but it is believed he may have suffered a ruptured testicle).  Alex Burrows also was willing to sacrifice his body, which probably saved a goal against, as he sprawled, throwing his left hand up to deflect a power play chance about 18-20 feet in front of Luongo.  The puck went harmlessly up over the glass to stop play, and helped Vancouver maintain it’s 3-1 lead at that point.

Roberto Luongo had a strong game, making one of his 29 stops with his trapper

Crease-crasher Dustin Byfuglien turned out to be a non-factor in the game, but mostly because the Canucks did a much better job in the defensive zone.  Particularly different was their approach and foresight when handling the forecheckers along the half-wall.  Quite often, the defense would support each other, having one defender ready to force the play to reverse up the other wall.  If one was checking the player along the half-wall, the other was ready to take the Blackhawk behind the net, but also ready to kick off to one side of the net to counter a wrap around attempt or pass into the slot.  Not just particularly because of scoring a couple of timely goals, but if Kevin Bieksa has had a better game in his career, I’m not aware of it.  I feel he was the most cerebral player on the ice in Game 5, and showed a lot of vision and patience in his 27 minutes of work.  On one Chicago power play, he battled with one of two forwards behind Luongo’s net, and gained control of the puck.  But as he was skating the puck out the left side, felt the winger collapsing along the boards- his exit.  So he quickly stopped, reversed (rather dangerously) on his backhand, and while spinning blasted the puck straight down the ice.

Kevin Bieksa delivered a virtuoso performance with the Canucks beleaguered defense

Roberto Luongo certainly lived up to his vow to play better in Game 5.  Right from the outset, it was apparent that he was determined to have better control of any rebounds lying around the crease area.  He calmly swiped a sitting rebound that was 4 feet in front of the blue paint with the bottom side of his stick blade to the corner out of harms way.

With Salo lost to injury after the 1st period, it appeared the Canucks were going down to 4 defenders after Dustin Byfuglien sliced Shane O’Brien’s forehead open on a shot follow-through.  “I was all over Burnie (trainer Mike Burnstein),” said O’Brien, who didn’t miss a shift, though bleeding profusely.  “I was telling him to do it as quickly as he possibly could, and he was telling me to calm down.  He put glue on it to stop the bleeding and I went back out there.  That’s playoff hockey.”

Shane O'Brien played through pain and kept his cool, even with Ben Eager, um, eager to do battle

Christian Ehrhoff also had his best game of the series, helping build a nice perimeter around Luongo’s crease.  He forced Andrew Ladd and Jonathan Toews out of the box area, and was quick to sweep any lingering pucks to the corners and up off the glass.  His goal 59 seconds into the contest was pivotal because it gave the Canucks a seldom seen lead.  With Bieksa’s first of the night tacked onto that, they were able to set the tone for the rest of the game.  “The five of us (defensemen) juggled it pretty well and I don’t think we got into too much trouble with long shifts,” said Bieksa.  “We adjusted.”

Alex Burrows nose for the net formulated results; he was in this position during two goals for

Ryan Kesler received the memo also about screening, with good results (all photos courtesy of Yardbarker)

Though the Canucks delivered on many fronts in Game 5, Shane O’Brien spoke to the teams outlook heading back to Vancouver.  “We were more calm and limited their time and space,” said the feisty Irishman.  “It was a good game for us, but we didn’t accomplish anything.  We’re just excited to still be playing hockey, and hopefully we can force a Game 7.”   If the Canucks play Game 6 with the same intensity and discipline, they just might very well find themselves back in Chicago for a Game 7.

Andrew Alberts works on Dustin Byfuglien of the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 at the United Center

After a commanding 5-1 win over the Blackhawks in front of a stunned sell-out crowd at the United Center in Chicago, the Canucks truly seem focused on the task at hand.  During the interview with Kevin Bieksa, Rick Ball asked Bieksa if he even knew what day of the week it is.  ”Actually, I don’t really.  I know it’s a weekday, but with the schedule that we’ve had, all we are focused on is the next game.  What happened last game happened, we just know we’re ready to work hard.”

In the same segment, shortly after the interview, Team 1040 also featured a short taped interview with Patrick Sharp.  The 6′1 Winnipeg center/winger who had 25 goals and 41 assists during the season said the Hawks will be better in Game 2:  ”We know we’re not in the best situation, but we were also down 1-0 last year, and came back to win the series.  We know what we have to do tonight.”

Patrick Sharp says the 'Hawks "know what they need to do tonight" (Photo courtesy of TSN)

Although the series is still in the infantile stages, I can’t help but sense a different energy surrounding the Canucks.  The coaching staff, particularly Alain Vigneault, have been preaching “Poise” to the club.  One can’t help but sense an air of maturity surrounding the team, the kind of maturity that comes with lessons learned in previous playoff experiences.  The job that Assistant Coach Rick Bowness has done with his somewhat depleted defensive core illustrates that.  After an abysmal start to the Los Angeles series, Andrew Alberts has received the message concerning poise.  It would have been easy for Bowness just to preclude that Alberts wasn’t going to be a proper fit based on Games 1 and 2 of that series.  One game into this series with the Blackhawks, it appears coaching and patience is being rewarded, as Alberts IS fitting into the scheme of things.

Shane O'Brien, Rick Rypien and Christian Ehrhoff help Michael Grabner celebrate his 2nd period goal in Game 2 (Photos courtesy of Yardbarker)

Tom Larscheid was also interviewed on the Team 1040, and he stressed the importance of Game 2 at length.  He said that both he and analyst John Shorthouse are really looking forward to tonights match-up, with what should be a very motivated and energetic Hawks team.  ”Patrick Kane in particular tonight will be looking to play a more pivotal role.  The Canucks coaching staff credited him with 14 scoring chances in Game One.  The Hawks outshot the Canucks, they outhit the Canucks, and were better in the faceoff circle at 55 per cent.  If anyone is going to help the Blackhawks have success in Game Two, it’s Patrick Kane.  He’s a real beauty.”

Color Commentator Tom Larscheid says Chicago's success depends largely upon Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews

Though it was ultimately their team game that produced their loss in 6 games last year, hockey pundits still shifted a fair amount of blame on Roberto Luongo.  As I have mentioned before, Luongo was able to move on from that tear-inducing experience, though perhaps not everyone has.   But what we saw in Game One was a goaltender that has confidence, one that is mentally prepared for this series, if not for a long playoff experience.

Brian Bickell does his best to distract Roberto Luongo in Game 1, but like other Hawks, was unsuccessful

Particularly in the first period was Luongo able to set the tone for how the rest of the game would play out.  With the United Center crowd still in a tizzy after the lead-up and anticipation of this fantastic series, Luongo kept very composed.  He would make several great stops in the first period, not allowing the Hawks to gain that all-important momentum at home.  He gave the Canucks the opportunity they needed to gain offensive chances, which they have been very adept at capitalizing upon in each playoff game thus far.  Once they got fired up early in the 2nd period, it seemed that with sheer will alone they could find ways to score, and they did.   While tonight could prove different, I am quite sold on Luongo’s ability to quell any notion that he can’t produce in the playoffs.  He can, and quite simply has been one of the best (goaltenders) so far in these 2010 playoffs.

Joel Quenneville instructs players during a break in the action during Game One in Chicago

Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville has decided to make some lineup changes headed into Game Two.  It appears Brian Bickell will be moved down to the third line, while BC product Troy Brouwer will join Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane on the first line.  Jordan Henry gets the bump off the main roster in favor of adding some toughness in Ben Eager, who will get 4th line time.  It also appears Dustin Byfuglien will move to the 2nd line with Patrick Sharp, although he might also draw back onto defense, which Quenneville said will be a game-time decision.

Daniel Sedin looks to make a pass against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game One of the Western Conference Semi-finals

On so many levels, Game Two will be significant for posturing in the the series for both teams.  While the Blackhawks have had some adversity thus far, most agree that the difference between the Nashville Predators and the Vancouver Canucks is a large one.  Tom Larscheid pointed to speed as a key factor, especially in comparison to the Hawks opening series and the one they find themselves in now.  Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond and Alex Burrows were a large part of that equation in Game One.  It remains to be seen if the Blackhawks can counter that speed, or negate some of it with a more physical presence, as it appears will be the focus tonight.   Stay tuned, this exciting series has a lot more hockey to be played.

Because I was unable to further preview Round 2, I am calling the Canucks to take this series in 6 games.   Look for a preview for Game three right here on the Canuck Way.

Will Anttii Niemi start Game Two, or will they start the more veteran Cristobal Huet?

Brent Seabrook levels Daniel Sedin May 11, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. in Game 6

The Chicago Blackhawks held on Monday night for a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators, setting up a Canucks – Blackhawks meeting for a second consecutive year.  The Blackhawks, having earned the 2nd seed in the Western conference, will take their turn at home ice advantage in this series.  While the official schedule has not been released yet, Alain Vigneault and the Canucks were informed that their 2nd round series would commence Friday, April 30th, regardless of their opponent.

Adam Burrish checks Ossi Vaananen into the boards during Game 4 at the United Center, May 7, 2009

Initially, when considering the prospect of playing the Blackhawks in a rematch in Round 2, I admit I felt some trepidation.  Though it transpired a year previous, some of the memories quickly came back, reminding me of the sting inflicted by the upstart Blackhawks.  After opening with a sweep of the St. Louis Blues, the Canucks appeared full of promise, rife for a successful playoff run.  Combine that with the distasteful events of their Game 6 exit, and even the most optimistic Canucks fan would need to concede that the glass appears half empty.

Pavol Demitra shoots the puck up and over Nikolai Khabibulin in Game 1 at GM Place April 30, 2009

But as depicted, things can change in the course of a year.  This will NOT be a cookie-cutter series, in the same mold as last year.  There are  a number of different faces for both clubs.  Even some of the familiar faces have evolved and transfigured in that space of time.  For example, rookie goaltender Antti Niemi will occupy the spot that Nikolai Khabibulin held a year ago.  Ossi Vaananen no longer plays for the Canucks, and Willie Mitchell will not patrol the blueline because of injury.  Mikael Samuelsson will most likely play a starring role on the Canucks’ first line, when last year he was busy helping the Red Wings get to the Cup finals.  All this, and young players such as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Alexander Edler, Mason Raymond and others have another year of seasoning behind them.  I’m not saying it won’t have a similar flavor, but this series’ differences will be quite curious ones.

Dustin Byfuglien watches the puck go to the corner after Roberto Luongo makes a save in Game 1

Last year, especially following the Round 2 victory for the Blackhawks, many marveled at Chicago’s high octane offence.  While it will be a factor again in this series, there is a chance it will be overshadowed by Vancouver’s newfound attack.  The Canucks startled the league by accumulating the second highest goal totals in the regular season, outranked only by the Washington Capitals.  Hockey pundits might point to the fact that some of that was at the expense of their penalty kill and goals against average.  While those totals were down from 2009, they were certainly not as noticeable as the increase in goalscoring.   I’m willing to wager that any of the 30 NHL head coaches would make the trade-off in those areas for that kind of ‘net’ gain.

Cam Barker and Nikolai Khabibulin react after Sami Salo scores what turns out to be the game-winning goal in Game 1

All things considered, motivation will factor highly into this upcoming series.  When interviewed by Scott “Crypt Keeper” Oakes from CBC after wrapping up the Kings’ series, Roberto Luongo spoke to the chance for redemption against Chicago.  There is no doubt in my mind that he spoke the truth when he said the Canucks have been looking forward to this opportunity.  In all frankness, it gave me a slight chill when he added:  ”We feel this is our time”.   Hockey experts are already billing Luongo’s save against Ryan Smyth of the Kings as the ’save of the playoffs’, and he appears, as he related to the team as a whole, “On a mission”.   With a motivated Luongo, this series should prove to be a barn-burner.  Add to that fact that the Sedin twins are coming off their best post-season series performance, I feel trepidation being replaced by a sense of nervous excitement.

Defenseman Brent Seabrook trips Alex Burrows during Game 3 at the United Center

The 2010 playoffs have featured some incredible storylines thus far, as well as some excellent match-ups.  It’s true that the playoffs are where rivalries are created, and there will be a lot of attention focused on this newly formed one.  Because of the numerous subplots and dimensions this series will take on, I will take a look at the season series between the two clubs, as well as forecast my prediction in an upcoming blog.  Will I accurately predict this series outcome, or was my prediction for the L.A. series a fluke?  Stay tuned, what I will say right now is we’re in for one hell of a ride.

Ryan Johnson helps Darcy Hordichuk celebrate a second period goal in Game 4 at the United Center (Photos courtesy of Yardbarker)