Vancouver Canucks Defeat NY Islanders: 5 Thoughts

2. The Sedins get no respect

Well, in case you were living under a rock and didn’t catch the hit on Captain Sedin, here it is. Number 84 for the Islanders was given a major penalty and a game misconduct. Again, after what transpired between the Panthers and the Sedins last week, this is just another example of how the Sedins are mistreated by the teams of the NHL.

Put Jaromir Jagr there, put Pavel Datsyuk there, put Shane Doan there, and you have a different play altogether.

At least the refs called the penalty. We should thank the NHL for that, right? Right?

Related: Canucklehead Lament: The NHL should Thank the Vancouver Canucks

The league needs to make sure that the stars of the game are protected. I am not calling for a big suspension or a fine on this play, perhaps a one-game suspension. But the reality is that the Sedins are being neglected by the league because there are always guys who seem to be covering for them on the toughness department.

But all things aside, Henrik is expected to miss at least a few games with what seems to be a shoulder injury. This brings us back into the discussion, who should play centre for Daniel and Jannik Hansen? McCann looked solid and had good chemistry with Dank, finishing the game tied for the team lead in shots with four (tied with Daniel). Unless Brandon Sutter draws in, expect McCann at 1C, Bo Horvat at 2C, Linden Vey at 3C, and Adam Cracknell at 4C.

Funny how the old Alain Vigneault idiom — to keep as many centres as you can on your roster — is serving the Canucks well. Of course, coach AV is next up on the Canucks’ agenda.

Next: Ryan Miller not going quietly