Power Play and 5 on 5 play (discussion)

[J.I.A.H.N]

Well, it is early, as everyone will attest to, but we kind of ended off the same way last year, so I think there is a trend.............

First off, a quick look into 5 on 5 stats will tell you the Canucks are 25th in the league in shots attempted per 60 minutes and are 17th in shots attempted against per 60 minutes..............this is an average ranking of aprox. 21st in the league on 5 on 5 play on average.

Last year, when I posted this stat, we were 23rd, just before the trade deadline

Secondly, we rank 23rd in PP for and 17th against in PK, our special teams just are not doing it, and again, if I remember from last year, our PP wasn't going all that well, our PK was doing well last year.

There are some concrete trends here and it echo's our team makeup and reality..............

So we just aren't as good as some think, and although we hold our own for most of our games, we are going to be that 1 goal short, at the end.

There are many reasons for this, coaching, the age of the Sedin's (speed), the rate of development of our rookies( no knock on them generally), the loss of goals from Bonino Matthais, and Garrison, the evolution of other teams, nothing that most of us didn't already know.

The inception of the 3 on 3  is very telling, and in the Sedin's case, it is disguised with their exceptional puck control, but if you watch them once they loose control, it is always an out manned rush the other way, putting a lot of pressure on the Dman and the Goalie

This observation also applies to the Sedin's 5 on 5 play, where they are magic while owning the puck, but becoming more and more a liability when coming back into their end. You may question this statement, but the sad fact is they are still our Number one line by a large margin.

This is not to say the games are all lost, or there are not many signs of good things to come, as Virtanen, McCann, and Hutton, all bring high end skills to the plate, and will hopefully continue to grow. (If given enough ice time)

McCann although a little weak, shows offensive skills at top speed, that we have not seen here for along time. If this 19 year old continues to grow for the following couple of years, he will surely contend as a #1 Center.......but he has to continue to develop......needs to get his 10 to 12 minutes a game.

Hutton, already looks like a veteran, and if he can make those little adjustments, that prevent the defensive error like the one last night (for a goal) he will be an easy  #1 or #2  ( but he is still a ways a way from that) (not saying he isn't close to being our 3rd best Dman)

Virtanen, keeps out skating NHL pro's and knocking them on their butts, he will take some time to mature, but he will be a second liner 1 day ( I just can't wait until he add his adult weight....it will be fun!...... we will not need Lucic!)

So I am feeling good about our rookies and will live with their honest mistakes! I hope Willie can!

Lastly, Miller has been lights out, and has probably given us a chance to win most nights.........all in all, it is similar to last year with a little less scoring, and a little faster play.........our final position will be in the bottom 10, if we don't start getting  too many injuries...........I can only hope Benning doesn't believe we are a contender and spends another pick or 2............I see lots of good things around the corner.......but it won't be this year...................to me squeeking in to the playoffs is not an option........deadline sell off should be.

Again, if you do not understand why go up to points # 1 and 2

PS..........I am still stuck on Bennings spending of 2nd's and 3rd's..............I have seen nothing come out of anyone of them....I hope he learns!

[c00kies]

I'd say the team found a way to win games last year instead of finding ways to lose them like this year. The team is also becoming more dependent on Miller early on this year, which will lead to fewer wins. If you recall, Miller won a lot of game last year despite middle of the pack numbers, and that's because the team was playing better and producing more offense.

[Jam126]

The team's strategy is a problem. They depend on the defense and Miller when the offence is coasting. That's pretty dangerous...

[J.I.A.H.N]

I'd say the team found a way to win games last year instead of finding ways to lose them like this year. The team is also becoming more dependent on Miller early on this year, which will lead to fewer wins. If you recall, Miller won a lot of game last year despite middle of the pack numbers, and that's because the team was playing better and producing more offense.

Yes, I would agree with you In part Cookies, but if memory serves me right, I think we started off pretty good last year, and kind of slowly became a middle of the pack team, until the last 5 games, then Lack caught on fire, and we won the last few, mainly because of Lack........I think that little winning spurt at the end of last year improved us from 14/15th OA to 10th OA.

I think we had more depth last year, but less talent, if that makes any sense????

I do not know what happens if Miller, Hank, or Tanev gets injured for a long period this year....I guess it is what it is.

Funny thing is every time Willie shortens the bench we start loosing....is that just me, or are others seeing it too?