It was not always pretty but a few things happened last night in the Canucks 4-1 win over the Rangers. First they won, always good and certainly not an expected result with the current line up and state of play.

This won't be long as I am busy with some work projects but I will bring up a few points to discuss and leave you to it.

First- is this season beginning to look like the coming our party for Ryan Kesler? It's a contract year and we knew he would be getting a decent pay raise but did Bobby Clarke see something it took many longer to realize with Ryan Kesler when he presented him with the offer sheet? I have always appreciated Kesler but I'm now getting drool coming out of my mouth when I watch him play.

The other part of last night's game I found compelling was the play and role of Kevin Bieksa. It's no secret that he's been under the microscope so far this season due to his less that stellar play but last night was different. Yes he took a bad penalty but he did it for all the right reasons in my opinion. Before that unsportsmanlike penalty Bieksa was ready to defend his team mate who was being mauled by 5 of the 12 Ranger players on the ice. This is the first time in a long time that we have seen the emotionally charged Bieksa show up. I liked it and perhaps by AV putting him as a forward on shifts he is going to get a bit energized and pick up his play.

Does this game mark a potential turning point for Bieksa?

Finally at the end of the game with Bernier and Henrik skating up the ice towards the empty net we saw something I feel has been lacking for this team- play for each other. Ferraro commented on it and I did to my friend who I was watching the game with...Bernier unselfishly passed that puck when he could have scored. It's not a Hallmark moment but it is one which shows a camaraderie that appears to have been missing thus far. I think it's a good sign.

So with the above questions here's three more.

How many starts does Raycroft get on the upcoming road trip?

Does AV continue to dress 7 defensemen and move one up to forward for certain shifts?

How many goals does Mikael Samuelsson end up with this season?


Till the next game....

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