Blackhawks-Canucks: St. Patrick's Day in Chicago

It isn't St. Patrick's Day, but for Canucks haters, it sure felt like it.

Fifteen days before the Irish national holiday, the Vancouver Canucks must be feeling green.

Three Patricks were the keys in the Blackhawks' 4-1 victory on Sunday afternoon against the Canucks in Chicago.

Rookie Patrick Kane scored twice and added an assist, Patrick Sharp tallied his 32nd goal of the season, and Patrick Lalime started in goal for the fifth straight game, as the Blackhawks kept their slim playoff hopes alive.

Okay, Kane and Sharp's combined offensive output was the margin of Chicago's victory, but Lalime?

Lalime's impact was a bit of an exaggeration as he wasn't busy at all in the Chicago net, but at least got the job done with No. 1 netminder Nikolai Khabibulin still out with back spasms.

In fact, Lalime finished with only 9 saves the entire game as the Blackhawks embarrassed the Canucks, outplaying the visitors thoroughly.

The Blackhawks outhit the Canucks 26-13, and outshot them 28-10.

That's right, the Canucks managed a paltry ten shots.

With the victory, Chicago (31-28-6) is now six points out of eighth place, trailing three teams--including Vancouver (32-23-10)--for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

And how was this latest defeat for Vancouver?

After suffering two straight home losses--both featuring third-period collapses--the Canucks appeared to get a break when they hooked up with the seemingly inferior Blackhawks.

After all, Vancouver went into the game 5-0-0 in their last five visits to Chicago and had won four straight overall against the 12th-place Blackhawks.

Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo also seemed to have the Blackhawks' number, having a perfect 4-0-0 record and a 1.20 GAA including a shutout in his previous four outings against them.

This time though, the Canucks didn't need to blow a third-period lead in order to lose.

In fact, this time, they didn't even enjoy a lead at any point, and more importantly, failed to get a point on the standings for the first time in nine games.

The Canucks, who is tied for the lead with ten bonus (read: cheap) points from OT and shootout losses, fell in regulation this time around, ensuring that they wouldn't move further up in the standings.

In fact, 10 had a brand new meaning in Vancouver on this night--as that was all the shots the Canucks could muster in this latest effort.

And just before the midway point of the third period, Luongo was gone, having allowed his fourth goal on 26 shots. The Blackhawks had a three-goal lead by then and the punchless Canucks, who had a grand total of two shots in the period, were completely finished.

By then, Matt Pettinger, the Canucks' prized acquisition at the trade deadline, also seemed to want out of the game too.

Shortly after Sharp's goal made it 3-1, Pettinger took a run at forward Jonathan Toews, who got a high stick to the face. Blackhawks defenseman Cam Barker then joined in to take his hacks at Pettinger, and both were sent off the ice for 5-minute fighting majors.

Toews did not return after getting Pettinger's stick in his face, but playing short-handed was nothing new for the Blackhawks, which makes their victory even more remarkable.

While Canucks fans liked to play the injury card earlier in the year when Vancouver was missing several key players, the injury-depleted Blackhawks, on the other hand, thrived despite missing several of their own.

In addition to goaltender Khabibulin, the Blackhawks were also without forwards Martin Havlat (shoulder) and Robert Lang (sore back), and ex-Canuck defenseman Brent Sopel (wrist).

The Canucks, who have now lost three straight, can only kick themselves for their latest winless streak. With a chance to distant themselves from Colorado and Nashville--the two teams with whom they are currently tied--with a victory, the Canucks instead came out flat.

And kissed away two more golden points.

Ten shots on goal? It wasn't as though the Canucks were playing against a top team like the Canadiens, Devils, or Red Wings.

They were playing against the lowly Blackhawks.

And those Blackhawks, fighting for their playoff lives, showed they wanted the game more.

Even the New York Islanders, battling for the final playoff spot in the East, came out with 53 shots against Florida goaltender Craig Anderson, including 29 in one period, albeit in a 1-0 loss.

The Canucks?

Interestingly, veteran Trevor Linden was a healthy scratch in a big game, and the rest of the Canucks chose to play dead on Sunday. Even Luongo couldn't save them.

Another fun day for Canucks haters.

In the meantime, the Canucks don't have much time to recover from this latest setback. Their next contest is Tuesday in Colorado, where the rejuvenated Avalanche--despite losing forwards Marek Svatos and Ryan Smyth indefinitely on Saturday--will be awaiting them.

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Canucks-Jackets Recap: Canucks lose, lose, and lose; A beautiful week for Canucks haters

A leap year comes around only once every four years.

A blown third-period lead--and eventual loss--comes much more often, if you're the Vancouver Canucks.

The Canucks blew yet another game, this one coming on this year's leap day, allowing the visiting team to rally in the final period for the second straight game, and second time in three nights.

While the loss on Wednesday to Colorado was bad, the one on Friday (Feb. 29th) to Columbus must have been devastating for the Canucks.

And fun for Canucks haters.

The Avalanche at least have made an attempt to improve themselves, having added Adam Foote and Peter Forsberg to the team to go along with Paul Statsny and Joe Sakic, both returning from injuries.

The Blue Jackets?

No one expected much out of the squad from The Buckeye State, as Columbus had dealt away veterans Foote and Sergie Fedorov at the trading deadline three days earlier.

Other than forward Rick Nash (33 goals going in) and goaltender Pascal Leclaire-best 9 shutouts and 2.17 GAA), the Blue Jackets, the lowest-scoring team in the entire, didn't really have any premier players on the roster.

And after two periods on Friday, the Blue Jackets looked dead, down 2-0 at G.M. Place.

But of course, they were playing the Canucks, a team that had the victory in the bag on Wednesday but blew it with just 15 ticks left on the clock because they couldn't dump the puck out of their own end.

This time though, the Canucks didn't wait until the dying seconds to blow it.

By the way, it was the first time the Canucks enjoyed a 2-0 lead in almost two months, and it looked as though Roberto Luongo was going to get his seventh goose-egg of the year.

However, much to Canucks haters' delight, the only shutout that ensued was Vancouver's lack of offense in the final 20 minutes--and overtime.

The Canucks allowed two goals in a span of 70 seconds early in the third period, and Jason Chimera scored 67 seconds into the extra period, as the Blue Jackets escaped with a 3-2 triumph.

Luongo had no chance on the game-winner, as Nikolai Zherdev's perfect centering pass was deflected in by Chimera on a bang-bang play.

Of course, thanks to the's system of awarding loser points, the Canucks picked up yet another single point.

Two points in the last two games for Vancouver, though the team should have had four.

The Canucks (32-22-10), who now have 74 points, sit in seventh place in the Western Conference, two points up on both Colorado and Nashville.

Canucks fans, who didn't mind the fact that general manager Dave Nonis didn't make any noise in the trading frenzy on Tuesday, must be thrilled that their team has recorded at least one point in its eighth straight game.

Canucks haters, on the other hand, are laughing at the crappy franchise.

It has been a great week, to say the least. First, they went out and got nobody (okay, they got Matt Pettinger, hardly a solution to their scoring woes) at the trading deadline, while other teams in the conference have seemingly upgraded their rosters.

Then they went out and blew two straight home games.

Beautiful.

Canucks fans applauded Nonis for not giving up the both Daniel and Henrik Sedin to acquire Florida forward Olli Jokinen, or Alex Edler, et al, for Tampa Bay's Brad Richards.

So, Nonis gets an "A" for his efforts from the so-called Canucks Nation.

Meanwhile, back to the real world, other teams in the West, most notably Dallas, have greatly improved.

The highly sought-after Richards, who wound up with the Stars, tallied five points--all assists--in his first game with his new club. The Canucks didn't even get that many goals in their last two games.

The Avalanche, as mentioned, picked up Foote and Forsberg, not just to reunite the team resembling their Stanley Cup roster over a decade ago, but surely to show their fans they're serious for a playoff run. Forsberg's impact, if and when he actually returns, may be minimal, but you can bet news of his signing was a huge morale booster in the dressing room.

And oh yeah, the Avalanche even added blueliner Ruslan Salei, who played in the Stanley Cup Final in 2003 with Anaheim, for good measure.

The San Jose Sharks made some noise by picking up all-star Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Sabres, adding not only depth but also talent to their defensive corps. While the Sharks have fallen to third in their division thanks to the hot streaks by Dallas and Anaheim, they still have a shot at the Pacific Division, trailing by 9 points but having 4 games in hand.

Even the Red Wings went out and acquired veteran defenseman Brad Stuart to fill the void created by injuries to Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, and Brain Rafalski. Detroit, who had a 17-point lead in the entire conference in the first week of February, have seen its lead shrink to 3 points thanks to a 1-7-2 funk. Still, it would be a mistake to think a veteran team like that would continue to slide the rest of the way.

The Canucks, who may not even make the playoffs to begin with, will not survive the first round if they have to match up against the likes of the Stars, Wings, or Sharks.

All that despite having, in Vancouverites' minds, the greatest goalie--Luongo--in the world.

Given the depth that the top teams in the West have, a low-scoring outfit like Vancouver will be lucky to win even a single game.

And no, Luongo couldn't be faulted in the two losses this week, but the fact remains that he couldn't beat a team like Columbus when the two points mattered.

All in all, a great week for Canucks haters. Chalk this up as three losses this week, counting the non-move on deadline day.

Hopefully the good times will continue in the upcoming week.

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From the Rafters – Nash formerly requests to be traded in the off season…

"I am all about being loyal and all, but my shelf life as an player at my peak is about 5 to 7 years tops… and if I am going to go out and bust by hump night after night for ‘the man’, all I ask is that ‘the man ‘put some talent around me so that I could have a remote chance in he** of winning."

How many more years can pass you and I by before this kind of statement goes from merely a tongue in cheek sarcastic shot of mine directed squarely at a certain GM to a jaw dropping reality leaving a bunch of front office staff baffled at what they would call a move "out of nowhere"? And frankly, who could blame him.

When I heard the first whispers about Brad Richards having whittled down his suitors to three (with Columbus still in the running), I began to develop cautious optimism. This was not the right move. The better move in this case was no move at all. I was being duped into thinking that talk at this stage was a sign of good things to come. Richards was a name, Columbus was in the hunt, interesting… Trade day was going to be memorable. Or so I thought. Eventually Dallas picked up the Island boy, but all was still good. The ball was rolling…

I started picturing Hossa on the right side, Nash on the left, and Vaclav Prospal up the middle. I could envision the highlight reels, two star wingers blasting and wristing home puck after puck. Just when you see them head off, the second line hops the boards. Zherdev, rocketing past his own shadow, leaving a vapour trail somewhere back in the neutral zone, flinging the puck across to Chimera for a backhand… the ever developing Brule draped around the goalie, jamming for a rebound.

Don’t stop there. A move on the backend like adding Campbell would be outstanding… they have cap room… And for a final touch, maybe shake a tree and add the goon Steve Downie who fell out of it to the lineup. For no other reason then because the fans deserve it after this long. Next thing you know you would have had a team worthy of the cup semi finals. But instead we get this…

"The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired forward Nate DiCasmirro from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Steve Goertzen, Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson announced February 28." At the end of the day there are about 19 games left and I am apathetic. I can only wonder how the players feel. Do they care anymore? Hockey players may not be curing cancer or splitting atoms, but they certainly know that they just played the role of sellers, not buyers.

Soon I will have another summer ahead to evaluate whether my loyalty is in vain. Perhaps to humour me they will at least call up Nason and let him get his feet wet in goal. I’ll still be pulling for them but John H McConnell is soon going to be off my Christmas card list if he doesn’t start spending…

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Canucks stand Pat at Deadline

There are going to be quite a few unhappy fans in Vancouver, with the fact that Dave Nonis did not pull off a monumental deal at the deadline. With Names like Brad Richards Mats Sundin and Olli Jokinen on the block, Vancouver was rumored to be in contention for all of them and Nonis did not pull the trigger. I can clearly say, he did the right thing.

If you look at the Richards deal, the Stars did not give up a lot but had to give up Mike Smith, who Tampa is hoping will be a #1 guy. The Canucks do not have another goaltender capable of starting at the level.

Other than for Richards, it would most likely take prospects and draft picks to get somebody. I would have no problem giving up draft picks, but the prospects would be a problem. Cory Schneider is the only prospect that I, and most likely Nonis would give up. The other prospects who would be asked for, Edler, Bourdon, Grabner, and Raymond are not guys you trade for a rental who may not even get you past the first or second round, then bang, hes a free agent. Bourdon, who has not developed quite as quickly as the others, is still a top rate prospect and with Edler,and Bieksa could help anchor the Canucks blueline for years to come. Up front Raymond has been a sparkplug for a struggling offence, while Grabner will be a go-to guy in a couple seasons, and down the road, these 4 guys will provide more for this team then any deadline acquisition. Even with Richards or Jokinen, or Sundin, (yes I know Sundin was not really on the market) this team was not guarenteed to go anywhere anyways.

The Canucks made a minor upgrade trading Matt Cooke for Matt Pettinger. Pettinger plays the same physical style, but is a bit younger and has more offensive upside. Also both players were in similar situations, as both had fallen out of favor with their respective head coaches.

The way this Canucks team is playing, they could make some noise without another scorer. Just ask Calgary. They have a similar line-up, great defence, great goaltending, and a lack of depth up front which cost Calgary in the finals but they did get there. Yes, Scoring is still the biggest problem for this Vancouver Canucks team, but Nonis was not willing to pay the price to get a scorer who is not guarenteed to be a cure-all problems guy anyways. Just Ask Nashville how it worked for them with Forsberg last year.

Even without a scorer this team should still make the playoffs, and if this team stays healthy, gets everyone working together at the right time, who knows what could happen.

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Sharks-Flyers: Sharks Snap Season-High Losing Streak

I raced home from my job to reach my DVR so I could watch the Sharks game. I couldn't believe what I had heard from my co-worker: the season-high five-game losing streak ended for the Sharks with a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

I am a big Sharks fan, and it always makes me feel good when the team snags a win, but I didn't expect them to come out of Philly with the two points. Before going into the game, the Flyers were at an eight-game losing streak, needless to say I was anticipating that the Flyers would come out with more intensity than the Sharks. 

Here were the lines for the night, and I decided to do an analysis of each line and player. Just to try something new for the few that read my column...

Michalek-Thornton-Cheechoo

• Cheechoo remains to plant himself in front of the net, which can only bring good things for the Sharks. That's how Cheechoo became the Rocket Richard winner, and that's why lately he's become "en fuego", if you will.
  
• Thornton was on the receiving end of a huge hit by Jason Smith. Even though I was sitting comfortably on my reclining couch, I could feel Joe's pain. Thornton also gave a terrific feed to Cheechoo for his sixteenth goal of the season, his twelfth in the last seventeen games.
  
• Michalek made an amazing game-winning goal, becoming the first twenty goal-scorer on the Sharks this season.

Marleau-Pavelski-Bernier

• Marleau was looking a little better tonight, putting more shots on net. I'm still not fully convinced that he is still a suitable captain for the Sharks.
• I'm convinced Pavelski should be getting more ice time. He managed to get an assist and a +2 rating.
  
• Bernier registered an assist on Murray's goal, but only put one shot on net. This was his first point in eight games. I expect more from Bernier, who has been noticeably less apparent on the score sheet compared to last season.

Rissmiller-Mitchell-Grier

• Mitchell's speed continues to amaze me. He is definitely the rookie of the year for the Sharks.
• This line was pretty flat during the Devils game, but provided a source of energy in the game tonight.
  
• Grier is one of the hardest-working players on the team. I don't want to waste space raving about him, but just know he's one of my top ten players in the lineup.

Shelley-Goc-Roenick

• Shelley was a terrific pickup for the Sharks. He always makes good plays and puts shots on net, resulting in opportunities for rebounds. He's also stepped up as a leader in the locker room, something the Sharks need desperately.
  
• Goc continues to move his feet and put shots on net, and I'm glad Wilson continues to keep him in the line-up.
  
• I was impressed with the Flyers organization for honoring Roenick's 500th goal before the game, it showed a lot of classiness. I was rooting for Roenick to score a goal, but I was disappointed.

Ehrhoff-McLaren

• Defensive mistakes always stick in my head after reviewing a game, and Ehrhoff didn't have a good read on a particular play during the first period. His mistake could have resulted in a goal for the Flyers. Despite his slip-up, Ehrhoff is still probably one of the best defensemen on the Sharks lineup.
  
• McLaren was better defensively during the game and had an assist on Michalek's goal. 

Carle-Rivet

• Carle did show signs of improvement in this game. I'm sure his confidence has taken a big hit this season, but I hope he can get it together. His last goal was on December 29th.
  
• Rivet did make a good play to block a shot by Briere on an odd-man rush, but I was disappointed with a particular play that resulted in the Flyers' only goal. Instead of planting himself in front of the Flyers' net, he should have been giving support to Murray. Because Murray was the only man back when Cheechoo turned the puck over, the Flyers made a great tic-tac-toe play for a goal at the end of the second period.

Murray-Vlasic

• Congrats to Murray for his first-ever goal! Yes, if you are not a Douglas Murray fanatic like I am, you read that correctly. Murray went 115 games without a goal.
• Vlasic picked up an assist on Cheechoo's goal tonight, and has had five assists in his last eight games. 

Nabokov

• Good to have the iron-man back. He had some amazing saves tonight, and I'm glad that he didn't get any other injuries from that puck to the face. Definitely made some impressing saves.
• He gave a great post-game interview to Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda, and gives great insight into the game. People would be surprised to know that he's a funny guy!

The Sharks play the Penguins on Sunday, and hopefully the Sharks can keep the Cheechoo train rolling!
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The Toronto Maple Leafs: Confusion and Commitment

The Toronto Maple Leafs may have had the wrong GM. They may have the wrong ownership, fans who are optimistic one minute and pessimistic the next, and one of the most disorganized front offices in the league.

But at least they have the right players.

Well, kind of.

See, the word around the city is that these players are selfish, self-absorbed, self oriented—however you want to look at it, these players are made to look as if the only people they care about are themselves and their enormous paychecks. Just because of a little "no-trade" clause.

I have a question: Based on what these players are saying, aren't they the opposite of selfish?

In an era where players are itching to get out of losing markets, players like Darcy Tucker, Thomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, and Mats Sundin are continually telling the media that Toronto is where they want to be.

They signed on to play in Toronto, they took no-trade clauses in their contracts so they could decide when they wanted to leave, and (so they're saying) they want to be the ones to help turn it around.

Pretty selfish eh?

I mean, Tomas Kaberle is living and dying by the mantra "I signed here, I want to be here". I mean it's not like he still gets his $4.25 million if he gets traded right? Staying in Toronto is the only way he makes the full amount right?

Wait, it isn't?

So why does he want to stay here?

Bryan McCabe has been ridiculed the entire season here in Toronto. From tripping over the net, to scoring on his own goal, to turning the puck over to Mark Streit in over-time for a breakaway goal for a Montreal win, McCabe has said that he's committed to the city and he doesn't want to take the easy way out.

Fans still want him gone though.

So why does he want to stay here?

Darcy Tucker, the man that has been the heart and soul of this team for so long, the man who endeared himself to Leafs fans with that 2002 playoff run. Now he's not producing up to his previous standards.

Up until a few games ago, he was having a miserable season and people were assuming that he was either:

A) Injured or

B) Giving up on the team

So why does he want to stay here?

Then there's Mats Sundin: The man who's accused of not wanting to win—even though he took less money to stay in Toronto so that they could put a winning team around him. The man who's been accused of being stubborn and doing "what's worst for the club".

The guy bleeds Blue and White. He was given a no-trade clause so that he could escape if the exact situation that the Leafs are in now arose.

But he says that, as always, he's here to lead the Leafs from the darkness and to help the team into the future. He is showing a commitment to this team that many "captains" in professional sports are lacking.

Meanwhile, the fans could care less. They say it's not his right and he doesn't have the best interests of the club in mind.

So why does he want to stay here?

The reason these guys want to stay here? It's because they're the right people.

Granted, they may not be the right players for this team skill-wise anymore, and none of them may be the most talented at their positions, but at least Toronto is signing the right kind of players. Players who will stick it out when the going gets tough and have the character to stay around and not take the easy road.

Yes they're worth more to the team if you were to able to turn them into prospects and picks. And yes, that extra cap space would definitely be helpful in the years to come, but if you were to survey players on the bottom five teams in the, how many do you think would rather stick it out with their teams than go off and wind a championship?

Exactly.

So in our cries for a fire-sale—in spite of our languish over the futility in Toronto—remember that these guys are human beings too. Committed human beings who just want to see through what they started.

Sure it may not be the right thing to do with regards to the team's future, but think of it this way—is it more effective trying to escape from prison on your own, or is it more effective trying to escape if you stop laying blame on each other, stop trying to escape on your own, and make it a team effort?

As I said, Toronto has done a lot of things wrong in the past few years—but at least they've got the right attitude.

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Sidney is great, but needs help from better players...

Sidney Crosby is the new face of the. I've heard that phrase so many times it now haunts me in my dreams. But I have a few reservations about that statement. For years everyone has been pondering how to improve the on ice product of the. What makes us think there is something wrong with the game? I love it. Everyone I know who loves hockey loves it. Boring neutral zone trap? More boring than not watching? I don't think so. While I do, however, agree with many of the rule changes, particularly the trapezoid and the acceptance of the two line pass, the game was and is great. Believe it or not, I talk to many hockey-ignorant sports fans every time I leave my house. What are we going to do when we leave our respective homes? Going to the bar to watch Tony Romo, Shaun 'I'm Afraid to Put My Shoulder Down' Alexander, Randy Moss and Marion Barber III. We also go to watch Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and AI. Whats that? You already know who these guys are and what sports and even positions they play? Hmm... The problem in the is a formerly three billion dollar industry cannot find competent marketing strategies. It's all about recognition. When Barry Bonds is at the plate, his name and stats are on the overlay. Same for pitchers. When Ray Allen makes a jumper, casual sports fans can see that clearly. Tom Brady throws a pass, we know it's him. We know Randy Moss caught it. Have any of us(hockey fans) left the house in search of a random pick up game to watch? Of course not, because the players would be meaningless to us. We play sports because we love them. We watch because we love the teams, the faces; the recognition, the loyalty. When people watch ESPN and hockey highlights come on, they hear a name, but all they see is a guy with a number on his back. To unfamiliar fans, hockey is a bunch of indistinguishable guys skating all over the place. The simply needs to do a better job marketing players, not 'improving the on-ice product'. So now we have the 'new face of the' in Sidney Crosby, but I feel like The Kid's got the personality of a cardboard box. I don't mean to insult Crosby, but he doesn't seem to have the natural charisma that some other players do: Sean Avery, Ray Emery, Marty Turco, Jarome Iginla, to name just a few. Even Alex Ovechkin has more charisma and he hardly speaks any English. The last two TV appearances that I can recall were Crosby, then a bunch of Ducks on Jay Leno. The guests were more or less boring, all lacking genuine depth, intrigue, or humor. If Sean Avery were to go on Conan O'Brien he'd surely have some funny stories and would earn plenty of enthusiasm, and I'm not saying that because I'm a Rangers fan. Get Rick Dipietro, the NY Islanders goaltender who turned down an offer to star on the reality show the Bachelor, which would have been a golden publicity opportunity. Sidney's skills certainly talk a big game. The unfortunate thing is that ability will only resound with those already fluent in the hockey. To buy into hockey, most Americans will need more than just the promise of great skill in a vaguely understood sports language.

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