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Yes Canucks fans, Christmas has come early this year. We were treated to a night of celebration and a great game two nights ago, and tonight we are treated with a visit by the Detroit Red Wings. Tonight is the second half of back-to-back great games for the greatest fans in the league. Vancouver comes in riding a 3 game win streak, after Cory Schneider stole two points for them on Tuesday night. Detroit comes into this one having won five of their last six, mainly due to winning three skills competitions.
On a side note, at the All Star Game, Gary Bettman claimed fans love the shootout. I'm left wondering what the question the league asked fans was and whether fans were given other options to decide on what they liked best. Was this a yes or no question? If so, I would say yes, I hate ties, give me the shootout. Or rather, were people given options with the question like, a tie, shootout, 3-on-3 OT, alternating power-plays, etc. If so, I would take 5 minutes of 3-on-3 OT or alternating power-plays over a shootout.
The 3-on-3 format has been adopted by several Jr. A leagues and people seem to like it. Why not give that a shot before having a skills completion decide the game.
What are people's thoughts on the shootout right now? Is there a better option?
Canucks 31-15-4 66pts
Red Wings 34-16-1 69pts
Leaders
Canucks
Goals D. Sedin 22
Assist H. Sedin 42
+/- Burrows +20
Hits Lapierre 146
Red Wings
Goals Franzen 19
Assist Datsyuk 39
+/- White +28
Hits Stuart 113
If I had to pick one word to describe Detroit and why they are so good, it would be balance. Yes they have star players like every other great team but they are also extremely well balanced. They have eight players with 10 or more goals. They have ten players with a better than +10 rating. The only position where they don't have balance is in net. But when the one guy you have in net is an all star, that's not too big of a problem. It's all well and good for the Canucks to focus on stopping Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and Franzen tonight, but to beat the Wings; you have to stop their entire team. You can't just shutdown four guys and expect to win.
Gillis has built Vancouver using much the same model as Ken Holland, so it's no surprise that you can say the same things about the Canucks that you can about the Wings. I think the biggest differences between the two teams isn't on the ice, it's behind the bench. AV is a good coach. I would have him rated at the bottom of the upper tier of NHL coaches. Babcock on the other hand is in his own league that is above that upper tier. The guy works harder than any coach in the business and is the top coach in the league in my opinion. He has the Wings ready to play every night, and is the only coach in the league that I can say that about. I hope one day Babcock sits down and writes a book on how to do what he does. It would be a book that all coaches could benefit from.
As far as the game goes, this one should be another classic between these two teams. In my opinion, these teams are the two best teams in the West. They generally play in close games, which are in the 3-2, or 4-3 variety. Both teams have a ton of set plays and are great at face-offs. Whoever wins in the circle will win this game. Vancouver has to win the draws to win this game. If they don't, they will be chasing Detroit the whole night.
I also hope we see a game that is officiated much like the one we saw the other night. I hope the referees let both team play and whoever is the best team 5-on-5 wins. Vancouver has the advantage of having the better power-play and the better penalty kill, but the Wings aren't too far behind. Still, I would love to wake up tomorrow morning knowing the Canucks beat the best team in the NHL 5-on-5, rather than with special teams play.
In the end, these two teams are almost mirror images of each other. When you have two teams that are so even it is hard to pick a winner, but I'll take the Wings for two reasons. One, the Canucks won last time, so it's the Wing's turn to win. And two, Babcock is a better coach than AV. Close game come down to coaching and in the end, the Wings will be more ready to play.
Prediction- 4-3 Detroit (hey it worked last game)
Respect Your Rival
Tomas Holmstrom
Holmstrom is a throwback to the old Swedish Viking days. I've seen the guy close up before in warm-up and believe me, there is no way anyone wants to mess with him. He is built like a brick shithouse and just has that mean and nasty Hell's Angel look in his eye. The Guy is now in his 15th season in the league and is still one of the best players in the league in front of the net and in the corners. Tonight will mark his 996th game, not bad for a guy who can't skate.
Ian White
He wasn't good enough for the Leafs or Flames to keep him, but he sure has been a nice fit in Detroit. I guess that shows just how good those two organizations are at judging talent. At 27 years old, White is having his best season yet. He moves the puck well and is amongst the league leaders in +/-. The Canucks will have to be physical with White tonight and hope the old Ian White comes back.
Valtteri Filppula
For the past three years I've taken Filppula as a sleeper in hockey pools. This year I passed on his and it's killing me that he is actually living up to his potential now that he is 100% healthy. The shifty Fin, doesn't grab many headlines in Detroit because of the supporting cast but he can score some of the nicest goals you will ever see. He is also very sound in his own end and can chip in on the PK when needed. Even after the three years of heartbreak, I would still take him in Vancouver.
Trade of the Day
This one comes from larry_hornby. Again I'll post any proposed trade involving any team as long as there is some rational behind it. I always love seeing the offers no matter who is included in the deal.
To Van- Jeff Carter, Curtis Sanford
To Columbus- Cory Schnider, Mason Raymond
Carter moves to the wing on Kelser and Booth's line.
Van makes trade because their Cup window is closing and having a huge asset in Schneider on the bench is a waste. Carter is a proven scorer and gives the Nucks two top lines. Columbus needs a goaltender which will be a big part of the rebuild. Some Salary issues would need to be worked out by either another trade or waiving a player.
Daniel Wagner VS Ritch Winter
There is a great article on Pass it to Bulis on a little feud between Daniel Wagner and agent Ritch Winter. I think Wagner is a great writer (a hell of a lot better than I am) and sums it up best, so I'll let you read it over and judge for yourself. The part I love was how Winter says he is very busy, but he takes the time to write a 20 page essay on a blogger. Sounds like a busy guy to me.
You can read the whole thing
HERE
Thanks for reading.
Enjoy your day.
Ian
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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