Hodgson!! Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 The Vancouver Canucks are poised and ready to make a run for the ages in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Making it certain that the first Canadian team in 21 seasons wins the Stanley Cup will be those twin-engines up front in Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, who have each topped 70 points this season. There's the emergence of Sven Baertschi and Bo Horvat, and the dependability of forwards Nick Bonino, Chris Higgins, Alexandre Burrows and Jannik Hansen. The Canucks played meaningful games down the stretch and got it done with goaltender Eddie Lackfilling in for an injured Ryan Miller. "We were never in this position before,"Henrik Sedin said. "There were a few years where we made the playoffs a few weeks before the season was over, and last year we were done a few weeks before the playoffs so it's exciting because every night every game meant something." At the core of the jump and enthusiasm in the Sedin twins this year has been perhaps the most underrated free-agent signing of the 2014 class, right wingRadim Vrbata. Vrbata, signed to a two-year, $10 million contract on July 3, 2014, believes the secret to being a dependable linemate for the Sedin twins is just staying out of their way. "For a half season, I've seen [the Sedin twins] in certain situations on the ice where you would think a play would be impossible to make and they make it happen," Vrbata said. "It has to be something bigger than regular chemistry." Whatever it is, Vrbata has been a perfect fit in the midst of his best season in three years. He's not only flourished with the Sedin twins but without them, earning a trip to his first NHL All-Star Game and eclipsing the 30-goal mark for the second time in his career. The Canucks were ninth in the League on the power play, led by Vrbata's career-high 12 goals on the man advantage, and were second in penalty-killing efficiency (85.7 percent). Defensemen Yannick Weber and Christopher Tanev have provided a lot more than originally anticipated at the start of the season. Whenever the Canucks needed some offense from their defense, it usually came from Alexander Edler, Dan Hamhuis, Weber or Tanev. Weber had career-highs in goals and points. The voice of reason providing the motivation this season is coach Willie Desjardins. It didn't take him very long to earn the respect and confidence of each player following the firing of John Tortorella at the end of last season. Desjardins has allowed his players to play to their strengths while he consistently runs four lines and three defense pairs. Defenseman Kevin Bieksa said that there was a lot more freedom to play with speed and creativity. The Canucks had 12 players with 10 or more goals this season. They had eight last season and nine when they reached the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. Not to be forgotten has been the play of Lack since Miller's knee injury in late February. Lack made major strides this season with career highs in wins (18) and save percentage (.921). "He's been great," Henrik Sedin said of Lack. "We've played a lot of hockey and whenever he had a tough game he came back and got it done. He's been really good for us." Miller has returned to the lineup and is the likely postseason starter but the Canucks have a solid goaltending tandem. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=762900&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter They wrote one for every team I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desiboynux4lifee******* Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 nhl trying to jinx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejazz97 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I agree with everything in that article except that last sentence. You can't let a rusty veteran own the net. Go with the enthusiastic young gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Lets start with game one and take it from there how about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Specter Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=762900&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter They wrote one for every team I think Sounds about right to be honest. This reminds me of The Hockey News releasing a similar online segment and posted one about the Lightning only to have it backfire when Stevie Y called them out for it. Then they released a "will not" version the day after... I honestly liked it better when the league was more occupied talking up other teams, which allowed us to fly under the radar. We don't need or want the extra attention... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webster6 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 That article describes our season. It doesn't really make any argement as to why or how they'll win the cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellosinki Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Well, looking at all the networks, the Canucks aren't predicted to get out of the first round. I agree that the Canucks' toughest opponent will probably be the Flames, but I think they are a bit better. Looking at all the possible matchups up to the final, I say the Canucks have the edge. Craig Button even said, "There are too many things that I don't like about the Canucks." I was thinking, "Were the things you didn't like about the Canucks were that they were defying your predictions every time?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck_in_AB Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I agree with everything in that article except that last sentence. You can't let a rusty veteran own the net. Go with the enthusiastic young gun. Agreed. It's nothing against Miller, but Lack is the man in the groove right now. If he falters, obviously you swap him out for Miller. If Miller saves the day, I guess that's when you make the tough decision as to whether you keep rolling with Miller or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winter Soldier Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 nhl trying to jinx They have done these for every playoff team for years. I'm shocked that you didn't know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCNeil Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 LOL, You could easily do the same style of write up for all the playoffs teams. They have all had good performances from vets and new players. Article doesn't even touch on the fact other teams are good too, with many of them having an even stronger performance so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamasutra Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 "one for every team" means this is just nhl.com click bait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 That article was a demoralizing read. No statistical chance for us to win the cup, and no real momentum going in. We must pull a magic trick out of our asses and perform some demonic miracle. All we must do is believe... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beary Sweet Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I believe that we can get it done. Canucks have the skill set, goaltending depth to get it done this year. I wouldn't be surprised if miller starts game 1. He always gives the team a chance to win. Believe in blue! #CANUCKS4CUP2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messier's_elbow Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Lets start with game one and take it from there how about? No kidding. I hate these kind of articles. I have a good feeling about this years post season, but I said the same thing in 2004 when we lost Bert and then lost in 7 to the flames. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Eh, one game at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANUCK-EXPRESS Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 But we were also supposed to win in 2010. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
key2thecup Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I think they are going to make a solid run at it. - No heavy expectations and pressure like the past seasons - Young kids in the lineup that are contributing - Eddie Lack on fire - 4 lines that can score - Pretty solid D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellosinki Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 But we were also supposed to win in 2010. You mean 2011? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HC20.0 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Everyone has us pegged for a first round exit, so maybe this article is right..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimberWolf Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Jinx what? If you listen to the "expert" panels the Canucks may as well save everyone the time and trouble and just concede... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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