TheTruthHurts Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 All it comes down to in the end is that you have a goalie that plays like a beast in the playoffs. I hope we have that in Schneider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownUndaCanuck Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 In comparison with the other contenders (Pittsburgh, Montreal, Boston, Chicago, Anaheim, LA) we only have a few things that stand out for us: 1) Best 3rd line in the NHL 2) Best goalie depth in the NHL 3) Possibly the fastest forwards in the NHL 4) Deepest (not best) defence in the NHL - considering we have 9 NHL-proven defencemen Things other teams have over us: 1) Far better special teams 2) Star defencemen 3) Top-10 scorers Basically what we lack in star power this season, we make up in depth. Hopefully depth wins a Cup this season, as it has the last 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dasein Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Serious contender? No team in the league is a serious Cup contender this year becusae the cup belongs to either the Pens or the Burins this season FOR SURE. Seriously, anyone here actually think any team in the league can beat the Pens or the Bruins in a 7 games series? NOT A CHANCE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wai_lai416 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Nope just like years past we wont score goals in the playoff.. we are already struggling in the regular season scoring goals. Playoff is even harder to score.. the moment we run into a team with a norris caliber defenseman sedins will prolly be shutdown completely like years past and we have to rely on secondary scoring which was non existent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks_Hockey_101 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I didn't realize it myself earlier on but I think this team may be better down the middle than ever. Now it's a bold statement, but it's one that can be made when you have someone who's not only been a #1 center and 80-point scorer on another team, who plays well defensively, and have put him on your 3rd line. By comparison, Cody can score but he's not ready for the tough assignment; Manny was able to handle tough checks but he topped out at around 30 points per season (still respectable but not elite offensive numbers like what Derek provides). Derek does both of those well, and his play-making ability gives the team more creativity up front, esp. from players not named Sedin. Kes also provides much needed scoring, size, defensive ability and depth up the middle and now the team can legitimately roll 3 lines. At that to Hard Hat Hank and the grit he's been showing up front and there are 3 gritty centers who can anchor lines and play solid two-way hockey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks_Hockey_101 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Nope just like years past we wont score goals in the playoff.. we are already struggling in the regular season scoring goals. Playoff is even harder to score.. the moment we run into a team with a norris caliber defenseman sedins will prolly be shutdown completely like years past and we have to rely on secondary scoring which was non existent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bijannucksfan Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I hate to say this, but most of our core guys will probably get injured in the playoffs, just like how they do EVERY year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertorama Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 How can you not be excited about where this team is at right now. Starting to peak at the right moment. This could be history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milk Hot Dog Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Yes. We'll ride Schneids to cup glory. Gillis will then do the right thing and sign Roy Baby's birth certificate to make everything official. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belsy91 Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I think so but our main goal is to stay healthy, haven't been able to this far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 If we see the 2011 Kesler, then yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancaster Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I will say the 4th line is key. You might say the Canucks ran out of steam during the 2011 run because they constantly relied on 3 lines. Back in 2011, the Canucks had Oreskovich-Bolduc-Glass as the 4th line. While Glass played relatively decent for his role, the other 2 were complete plugs (still believed they should have put Hodgson in instead). This time around, it's Weise-Lapierre-(rotating forward). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllEyezOnMe Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Imagine all 3 lines pitching in offensively every other game like for example Sedins combine for 3 points win over .... And then when the sort of are on a slump roy baby's line picks it up and wins us a game. The luxury of having 3 lines that you can count on to put the puck in the net is amazing to know mainly when you've always depended on the Sedins to do all the work. And while all this is happening we have a young goalie who is able to singlehandedly steal games for us or at least keep the game real close. Hopefully the defense meltdowns we've seen in the past and injuries sort themselves out then this team will be a force to be reckoned with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllEyezOnMe Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 And if those 3 lines producing offence on a daily basis is not enough we got that big shot by garrison and edler to look to every now and then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qanux Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 My NHL13 simulation says....Conference Finals. Seriously though, there are so many uncertainties in the playoffs. Judging from the past several years, endurance and durability will be the most decisive factors. It will require a team effort, and superior defense to get to the SCF. I like the fact that we weren't able to rely on our PP to win us points this year, so hopefully, instead of trying to draw penalties, the team will be used to winning games the hard way, which is to play a full 60-mins. I hope Kassian and Sestito can really bring the toughness when the situation calls. AV needs to find a way to inject a more physical element into the Canucks arsenal especially for the playoffs. We need to make the opposition to fear playing us; something that can match the Byfugliens, Charas and Browns of the opposition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehamburglar Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Yes. Roy's better than Lappierre, and even if he isn't at playoff time, he makes that fourth line pretty dang good. Schnieder and Luongo, same tandem for playoffs and D's roughly similar, slightly worse IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbar and in Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 I think if the fourth line can crash and bang without taking penalties, then they can be momentum changers. We have a fast skating fourth line that can get in on the forecheck and punish the other teams defence. Fear and intimidation will always create space and turnovers. Our defence cannot keep getting hammered every time they touch the puck. This is where our fourth line can step up and answer the bell. A physical presence can change a game plan. If our fourth line can cause disruption and be a concern for the opposition, this will give our offensive talent room to be effective. As they say, speed kills and we have that in out fourth line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Goaltending: AAA class Offence: Kesler gives you a higher FO % which this team needs desperately with a puck possession game. The 2nd & 3rd line have to show more scoring consistency to take pressure off the Twins & Burrows. One has to hope that in 9 games that can happen. Kassian has to be effective. Defense: The biggest issue for the Canucks going into playoffs. Their coverage in their d-zone has been spotty all season. A higher FO % has to help puck movement out of the d-zone. Physically the Van d-men have been outmuscled on a regular basis. A physical two man forecheck against Van gets results and the video shows that. The Book on Van: The Hawks, Bruins and Kings have all shown that tough physical play is the best way to beat Van. That will be the approach teams will take again this year. Van has got a little tougher but their offence has not produced to the level that they can steamroll opposing teams. Opposition: Chicago & Anaheim in the West, I don't care about the East other than with Crosby out the Pens aren't as dominant. IMO it is critical that Van gets on a roll going into playoffs as they are potentially a classic example of a team that could build towards a CUP. Conclusion: If Van can get by the 2nd round then anything can happen. The odds are against them to go all the way but then the odds are against everyone else as well. Any team is one injury away from a hugh dislocation in their lineup. ie Crosby and Heater or Hossa with another noggin crack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John.Tallhouse Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 This WHOLE TEAM makes us a contender! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 Only if special teams are improved and the twins can pick up their game again. Those are the biggest factors deciding whether we are contenders or pretenders. Roy and Kesler will help but it won't be enough unless... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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