Vancouver wraps up their six games season series tonight against the Avalanche. So far this season the Canucks have a 5-0 edge in the series, so the outlook for the Avalanche looks bleak to say the least. Since an injury to Swedish superstar Daniel Sedin, the Canucks have gone 3-0. While the 3-0 record without Daniel is great, the fact this team is pulling together and playing for one and other is the most positive sign. Right now, the Canucks are bringing a pack mentality every night; you mess with one of them, you're messing with all 20 of them.
Canucks 46-21-9 101pts
Avalanche 40-32-6 86pts
Leaders
Canucks
Goals D. Sedin 30
Assists H. Sedin 60
+/- Hamhuis +23
Hits Lapierre 225
Tonight will be a test for the Canucks. It will be a test of their killer instinct. The Avalanche are a team that is on life support right now after three straight loses. It will be up to the Canucks to decide if they have the strength to pull the plug.
Pulling the plug will not be easy. I consider the Avalanche to be one of the hardest working and most difficult teams to play in the league. The Avalanche have the players to produce a relentless fore-check and from what I've seen out of Landeskog this season, that kid is a beast (reminds me a lot of Iginla in his prime). I know it is a tall task, but it wouldn't at all surprise me to see him carry the Avalanche into the playoffs by himself (the way Iggy did in 04). In my opinion, what he has done the second half of the year should guarantee him the Calder. In 2014, Sweden will be very hard to beat again because of this kid.
As far as tonight game goes I'll take Vancouver. The Avalanche haven't beaten Vancouver in a long time, so how can I pick them to win tonight. I think we will see another tough, tight checking game. Vancouver will play as a team and will win as a team. Look for them to continue to step up the intensity as the playoffs grow nearer.
3-2 Vancouver- with Schneider ending the Colorado season
Hansen
I just wanted to take a moment to highlight just how well Hansen is playing right now. Hansen has the potential to be a major player in the playoffs for Vancouver. From the looks of the past week, Hansen is in playoff mode right now. The guy has been a beast on the fore-check and is unstoppable in the corners. The work ethic he is showing is the type that will carry this team to the Cup. While don't expect a ton of offence out of him, I can see him scoring some big goals and being an even bigger pain in the ass come the playoffs.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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