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Once again, for all you stats junkies, here's the Playoff Stats pack updated after the second round series against the Predators. For the stats pack after the end of Round One versus Chicago, click here. Don't forget to read my Tale of the Tape Game Notes on the front page of Canucks.com on every game day and watch out for my Tale of the Tape series preview against either the Sharks or Red Wings which will be up shortly. You can also find me on Twitter @daniel_fung or drop me a line at dfung_sports@hotmail.com. Canucks record when... Any defencemen scores: 3-2 Without Mikael Samuelsson in lineup: 2-0 Without Sami Salo in lineup: 3-1 Without Cody Hodgson in lineup: 3-2 Without Raffi Torres in lineup: 2-0 Without Andrew Alberts in lineup: 6-4 Without Keith Ballard in lineup: 3-3 Without Aaron Rome in lineup: 3-2 Without Tanner Glass in lineup: 0-1 Without Victor Oreskovich in lineup: 3-2 When Chris Higgins scores: 3-0 When Jannik Hansen scores: 2-0 When Daniel Sedin scores: 3-2 When Alex Edler scores: 2-0 When Christian Ehrhoff scores: 2-0 When Mikael Samuelsson scores: 1-0 When Sami Salo scores: 0-1 When Alex Burrows scores: 1-2 When Kevin Bieksa scores: 0-1 When Ryan Kesler scores: 2-1 When Henrik Sedin scores: 1-0 When Raffi Torres scores: 0-1 When Mason Raymond scores: 1-0 Score two-or-more power play goals: 1-1 Surrender two-or-more power play goals: 1-2 Don't allow a 1st period goal: 5-1 (only loss in Game 2 vs NSH) Don't allow a 2nd period goal: 5-1 (only loss in Game 2 vs NSH) Don't allow a 3rd period goal: 4-1 (only loss in Game 5 vs CHI) Have a 2-goal lead at any point in game: 4-0 Score a goal in all three regulation periods: 2-0 Allow a goal in all three regulation periods: 0-3 Hold a third period lead: 8-2 (only losses in Game 6 CHI & Game 2 NSH) Surrender a shorthanded goal: 2-1 Don't allow a power play goal: 6-3 When getting more power play chances than opponent: 1-1 When getting fewer power play chances than opponent: 3-4 When getting equal power play chances as opponent: 4-0 Canucks list of third period goal scorers... Daniel Sedin & Ryan Kesler: 2 each Mikael Samuelsson, Kevin Bieksa, Chris Higgins & Henrik Sedin: 1 each Canucks overall average... Shots on goal per game: 31.5 Opponent shots on goal per game: 29.2 Shot attempts blocked per game: 17.2 Opponent shot attempts blocked per game: 12.6 Missed shots per game: 12 Opponent missed shots per game: 9.8 Hits per game: 33.5 Opponent hits per game: 28.8 Giveaways per game: 6.8 Opponent giveaways per game: 7.9 Takeaways per game: 9.5 Opponent takeaways per game: 8.7 Blocked shots per game: 12.6 Opponent blocked shots per game: 17.2 Canucks average at home... Shots on goal per game: 33 Opponent shots on goal per game: 29.3 Shot attempts blocked per game: 19.1 Opponent shot attempts blocked per game: 13.4 Missed shots per game: 12.7 Opponent missed shots per game: 10 Hits per game: 37.3 Opponent hits per game: 25.4 Giveaways per game: 8.6 Opponent giveaways per game: 5.1 Takeaways per game: 12.6 Opponent takeaways per game: 7.1 Blocked shots per game: 13.4 Opponent blocked shots per game: 19.1 Canucks average on road... Shots on goal per game: 29.7 Opponent shots on goal per game: 29.2 Shot attempts blocked per game: 14.8 Opponent shot attempts blocked per game: 11.7 Missed shots per game: 11.2 Opponent missed shots per game: 9.5 Hits per game: 29.2 Opponent hits per game: 32.7 Giveaways per game: 4.7 Opponent giveaways per game: 11.2 Takeaways per game: 5.8 Opponent takeaways per game: 10.5 Blocked shots per game: 11.7 Opponent blocked shots per game: 14.8 HIGHS AND LOWS Canucks Most - One Period Goals: 2 - seven times Goals Allowed: 4 - Game 4 CHI (2nd) Shots: 16 - twice Shots Allowed: 16 - Game 3 CHI (1st) Canucks Fewest - One Period Shots: 2 - Game 6 NSH (2nd) Shots Allowed: 3 - Game 6 CHI (3rd) Canucks Most - One Game Goals: 4 - twice Goals Allowed: 7 - Game 4 CHI Shots: 47 - Game 3 NSH Shots Allowed: 46 - Game 2 NSH Penalty Mins.: 61 - Game 4 CHI Penalty Mins, Opp.: 37 - Game 4 CHI Canucks Fewest - One Game Goals: 0 - Game 5 CHI Goals Allowed: 0 - twice Shots: 19 - Game 6 NSH Shots Allowed: 20 - Game 1 NSH Penalty Mins.: 4 (twice) - Game 2 CHI & Game 7 CHI Penalty Mins, Opp.: 4 (three times) - Game 2 Chi, Game 3 CHI, Game 7 CHI Canucks Largest - One Game Margin of victory: 2 - twice Margin of defeat: 5 (twice) - Game 4 CHI & Game 5 CHI Individual Most - One Game Goals: 2 (four times) - Daniel Sedin (Game 2 CHI), Alex Burrows (Game 7 CHI), Ryan Kesler (Game 3 NSH), Ryan Kesler (Game 5 NSH) Goals Allowed: 2 (six times) - Ben Smith (Game 2 CHI), Patrick Sharp (Game 4 CHI), Duncan Keith (Game 5 CHI), & Marian Hossa (Game 5 CHI), David Legwand (Game 5 NSH), Joel Ward (Game 5 NSH) Assists: 2 (five times) - Henrik Sedin (Game 2 CHI), Christian Ehrhoff (Game 3 NSH), Christian Ehrhoff (Game 4 NSH), Ryan Kesler (Game 4 NSH), Henrik Sedin (Game 4 NSH) Assists Allowed: 3 - Dave Bolland (Game 4 CHI) Points: 3 (six times) - Daniel Sedin (Game 2 CHI), Alex Burrows (Game 6 CHI), Ryan Kesler (Game 3 NSH), Christian Ehrhoff (Game 4 NSH), Ryan Kesler (Game 4 NSH), Henrik Sedin (Game 4 NSH) Points Allowed: 4 (twice) - Dave Bolland (Game 4 CHI), Duncan Keith (Game 5 CHI) Saves: 44 - Roberto Luongo (Game 2 NSH) Saves, Opponent: 44 - Pekka Rinne (Game 3 NSH)

After infamously being dubbed "the best player to not yet score in the NHL playoffs", Ryan Kesler scores twice in the Canucks 3-2 overtime win in Nashville. Kesler is surrounded by teammates after tipping home the overtime winner (photos courtesy of AP Photo) One year ago, during their playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, Roberto Luongo was asked about the play of Ryan Kesler. "He's a warrior. That's all you can call him, a warrior." Canucks fans hearts sagged after a disappointing loss in Vancouver in double overtime. Much attention has been focused on the lack of offensive contributions from key Canuck sources, including (but not limited to) Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and Ryan Kesler. In Kesler's defence, though, many point to his shutdown performance on Jonathan Toews. Just prior to the playoffs, The Canuck Way examined Ryan's importance to the team, in several aspects of the game. Though he's had some very exciting performances throughout the regular season, lending over to the playoffs, Game 3 in Nashville might have been his most important in a Canucks sweater. He paid the price all night, scoring an important first powerplay goal, and set up Chris Higgins for another. With the Canucks on the power play for a hooking call that he drew against Shea Weber, he deftly tipped a Mikael Samuelsson point wrister for the win. "It feels good to get this one and good to go up 2-1 in this series," Kesler told reporters post-game. Former Canuck Shane O'Brien watches helplessly after he failed to block a Mikael Samuelsson wrist shot that Kesler deflects 5-hole on Pekka Rinne Fan reaction in Nashville closely emulated (Predator winger) Jerred Smithson's, who smashed his stick over the crossbar after Kesler's goal. Following suit, a fan threw their beverage onto the ice in the Nashville zone, while others rained their orange towels onto the playing surface as the Canucks celebrated. Predators coach Barry Trotz took a dim view of the penalty call that led to the overtime opportunity. "He chicken-winged the stick and kept moving, and really if you look at it, Webs is trying to pull his stick out of there. I've seen it before. One of the earlier games, he drew a couple of penalties by chicken-winging the stick and just holding it there, and keep moving and see if he can sell it." Predator center David Legwand, who opened the scoring shorthanded, echoed his coach's thoughts. "It's a horrible call. Obviously they're going to think it's a good call, but Kesler's obviously holding his stick. I don't know if (referee) Timmy Peel had a date or something, but he wanted to get out of here pretty quick, it looked like. It's a tough way to lose a game." In typical fashion, Kesler was unapologetic. "He was hooking me. I thought it was a good call. We were the harder working team tonight, and we deserved that one." Leading 2-1, the Canucks now have a chance to take a strangle-hold on the series. Game Four resumes at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville at 5:30 PST. With The Canuck Way playoff action, I'm Larenzo Jensen

I got some pretty decent feedback when I posted my Stats Package at the end of the regular season so I thought I'd do it for the playoffs as well. Here's Vancouver's updated playoff statistics through the opening round. Don't forget to read my Tale of the Tape Game Notes on the front page of Canucks.com on every game day and also my Tale of the Tape Series Preview for the Canucks vs Predators. You can also find me on Twitter @daniel_fung or drop me a line at dfung_sports@hotmail.com. Canucks record when... Any defencemen scores: 2-2 Without Mikael Samuelsson in lineup: 1-0 Without Sami Salo in lineup: 1-0 Without Cody Hodgson in lineup: 2-1 Without Raffi Torres in lineup: 2-0 Without Andrew Alberts in lineup: 3-2 Without Keith Ballard in lineup: 0-2 Without Aaron Rome in lineup: 3-2 Without Tanner Glass in lineup: 0-1 Without Victor Oreskovich in lineup: 0-1 When Chris Higgins scores: 1-0 When Jannik Hansen scores: 2-0 When Daniel Sedin scores: 2-2 When Alex Edler scores: 1-0 When Christian Ehrhoff scores: 1-0 When Mikael Samuelsson scores: 1-0 When Sami Salo scores: 0-1 When Alex Burrows scores: 1-1 When Kevin Bieksa scores: 0-1 Score two-or-more power play goals: 0-1 Surrender two-or-more power play goals: 1-2 Don't allow a 1st period goal: 3-0 Don't allow a 2nd period goal: 2-0 Don't allow a 3rd period goal: 2-1 (only loss in Game 5 vs CHI) Have a 2-goal lead: 2-0 Score a goal in all three regulation periods: 1-0 Allow a goal in all three regulation periods: 0-2 Hold a third period lead: 4-1 (only loss in Game 6 @ CHI) Surrender a shorthanded goal: 1-0 Don't allow a power play goal: 3-1 When getting more power play chances than opponent: 0-0 When getting fewer power play chances than opponent: 2-3 When getting equal power play chances as opponent: 2-0 Canucks list of third period goal scorers... Daniel Sedin: 2 Mikael Samuelsson & Kevin Bieksa: 1 each Canucks overall average... Shots on goal per game: 31.1 Opponent shots on goal per game: 30.9 Shot attempts blocked per game: 16.4 Opponent shot attempts blocked per game: 10.6 Missed shots per game: 12.4 Opponent missed shots per game: 10 Hits per game: 40.1 Opponent hits per game: 29.6 Giveaways per game: 5.9 Opponent giveaways per game: 8 Takeaways per game: 9.1 Opponent takeaways per game: 9.7 Blocked shots per game: 10.6 Opponent blocked shots per game: 16.4 Canucks average at home... Shots on goal per game: 33.5 Opponent shots on goal per game: 29 Shot attempts blocked per game: 16.5 Opponent shot attempts blocked per game: 11.5 Missed shots per game: 12.3 Opponent missed shots per game: 10.3 Hits per game: 43.3 Opponent hits per game: 23 Giveaways per game: 7.8 Opponent giveaways per game: 6 Takeaways per game: 11 Opponent takeaways per game: 8 Blocked shots per game: 11.5 Opponent blocked shots per game: 16.5 Canucks average on road... Shots on goal per game: 28 Opponent shots on goal per game: 33.3 Shot attempts blocked per game: 16.3 Opponent shot attempts blocked per game: 9.3 Missed shots per game: 12.7 Opponent missed shots per game: 9.7 Hits per game: 36 Opponent hits per game: 38.3 Giveaways per game: 3.3 Opponent giveaways per game: 10.7 Takeaways per game: 6.7 Opponent takeaways per game: 12 Blocked shots per game: 9.3 Opponent blocked shots per game: 16.3 HIGHS AND LOWS Canucks Most - One Period Goals: 2 (four times) - Game 1 CHI (1st), Game 2 CHI (2nd), Game 3 CHI (2nd), Game 6 CHI (1st) Goals Allowed: 4 - Game 4 CHI (2nd) Shots: 15 (twice) - Game 5 CHI (3rd), Game 7 CHI (2nd) Shots Allowed: 16 - Game 3 CHI (1st) Canucks Fewest - One Period Shots: 6 (three times) - Game 1 CHI (1st), Game 4 CHI (2nd), Game 6 CHI (2nd) Shots Allowed: 3 - Game 6 CHI (3rd) Canucks Most - One Game Goals: 4 - Game 2 CHI Goals Allowed: 7 - Game 4 CHI Shots: 38 - Game 7 CHI Shots Allowed: 35 - Game 4 CHI Penalty Mins.: 61 - Game 4 CHI Penalty Mins, Opp.: 37 - Game 4 CHI Canucks Fewest - One Game Goals: 0 - Game 5 CHI Goals Allowed: 0 - Game 1 CHI Shots: 23 - Game 4 CHI Shots Allowed: 26 (twice) - Game 2 CHI & Game 5 CHI Penalty Mins.: 4 (twice) - Game 2 CHI & Game 7 CHI Penalty Mins, Opp.: 4 (three times) - Game 2 Chi, Game 3 CHI, Game 7 CHI Canucks Largest - One Game Margin of victory: 2 - Game 1 CHI Margin of defeat: 5 (twice) - Game 4 CHI & Game 5 CHI Individual Most - One Game Goals: 2 (twice) - Daniel Sedin (Game 2 CHI) & Alex Burrows (Game 7 CHI) Goals Allowed: 2 (four times) - Ben Smith (Game 2 CHI), Patrick Sharp (Game 4 CHI), Duncan Keith (Game 5 CHI), & Marian Hossa (Game 5 CHI) Assists: 2 - Henrik Sedin (Game 2 CHI) Assists Allowed: 3 - Dave Bolland (Game 4 CHI) Points: 3 (twice) - Daniel Sedin (Game 2 CHI), Alex Burrows (Game 6 CHI) Points Allowed: 4 (twice) - Dave Bolland (Game 4 CHI), Duncan Keith (Game 5 CHI) Saves: 32 - Roberto Luongo (Game 1 CHI) Saves, Opponent: 36 (twice) - Corey Crawford (Game 5 CHI, Game 7 CHI)

Amidst all the story lines heading into the Canucks and Blackhawks third straight post-season match-up, Ryan Kesler's maturation process is perhaps the most under-reported. Ryan Kesler battles Anton Babchuk for position during the last game of the season (photo courtesy of AP Photo) I recall the solemn and hushed tone in Kesler's voice as he was interviewed by reporters some 10 1/2 months ago. He was being asked whether players on the team, himself included, were playing hurt in the playoffs. Whether he was choking back tears, or was simply frustrated beyond belief, no-one save for himself knows the real truth. Speaking of truth, I will admit that Kesler has been one of my personal favorites, but after listening to Alex Burrows answer the same question, I will also admit Kesler's response showed some immaturity. As time would tell, Alex Burrows was playing with a shoulder that required off-season surgery, that would force him to miss the first 11 games of the season. The difference being that Ryan Kesler dwelt more on the fact that he was injured, while Burrows refused to use it as a crutch. He said that in the Playoffs, everyone plays hurt, -it's just the way hockey is in the spring. Canucks fans are hoping they'll see Kesler celebrate like this more than once during this year's playoffs (photo courtesy of Rich Lam/Getty Images) Using Alex Burrows to illustrate Kesler's development is interesting in itself, because although Kesler got a taste of the NHL first (28 games 2003/04), he and Burrows both started to get regular duty during the 2005/06 season. But Burrows is four years older than Kesler, having paid his dues in the East Coast Hockey League before making the transition to the American Hockey League. Last year, Kesler scored 25 goals and recorded 104 penalty minutes. During the playoffs, he played 12 games, with 1 goal and 9 assists. Not long after Kesler's interviews where he spoke to being injured, Mike Gillis sat down with him during team exit meetings. He showed him a clip of Jonathan Toews battling for the puck during their series with the Canucks. He got cross-checked, then another to be knocked down. He got up, and shortly thereafter, the Blackhawks scored. This year, Kesler scored 41 goals, and recorded 66 penalty minutes. Many hockey pundits will agree that Kesler is the best 2nd line center in the NHL, and on many teams, would pivot the top line. For the Blackhawks, Duncan Keith and Brian Campbell will be charged with the task of shutting down the Sedin twins along with Alex Burrows. While not carved in stone, it should mean that Kesler will draw the Brent Seabrook and Chris Campoli pairing on defense. Whether Joel Quennville decides to match Patrick Kane's line centered by ex-Canuck, Ryan Johnson, or go with his checking line of Brian Bickell, Jake Dowell and Michael Frolik, also is unknown. Regardless of who he plays against, Canucks fans should find Kesler's growth from last season a very interesting subplot. When you tie for first on your team in scoring, and fourth overall in the League, you're bound to get some attention. The Canucks playoff hopes could literally hinge on whether he's grown and matured enough to handle the spotlight. Strap in for more Playoffs done The Canuck Way! Thanks for reading, I'm Larenzo Jensen