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"We Gotta Score", Kings/Canucks UPDATE

January 28, 2013, 12:14 AM ET [559 Comments]
Ian Esplen
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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We Gotta Score

“The bottom line is we gotta score.” Said Henrik Sedin, following Vancouver loss.

Over and over he said those words and while Vancouver needs to score more than one goal to win, perhaps, some better advice would have been we have to keep our composure.

From the opening faceoff, this looked a lot like the version of the Canucks that used to get rattled by the Hawks then the, “never get too high, never get too low” version that has won back-to-back regular season titles.

So, where to start with this one? Well let’s call a spade a spade and say Hansen should be suspended. The brainless act of cross-checking a linesmen was just dumb. I think he deserves at least two games for it. But, what annoyed me the most was AV played the guy. And act like that should get you butt stapled to the bench, not 17 minutes of ice-time.

The stupidity climaxed in the third with a pair of pointless fights. First Volpatti drew a penalty on a high Murray hit, then he decides to take the momentum away by getting rag-dolled. Next, Bieksa threw a cheap hit and then took his frustration out on Desjardins. That was the high point in an embarrassing effort tonight.

And that is where I will end this portion of the recap. 60 minutes of dumb hockey that the team and fans will never get back. Let’s all hope this teams smartens up tomorrow night or it will be another long night.


Kings/Canucks

I was looking forward to this one coming in and I think we will see a good one. There is no way Vancouver plays as dumb as they did in San Jose and LA is bound to wake up a little more after a decent game against Phoenix.

For Vancouver to win they will need to stay composed. I’m sure there are more than a few members of the Canucks who would like a piece of a few members of the Kings, but if it isn’t there, they can’t start running around and start crossing the line. We need to see a physical Canucks team, but not a group fixed on vigilantism, if they want to win.

Along with keeping their composure, it’s about time that Jason Garrison started doing something on the power-play. Overall, Garrison has played ok, but damn it, I want to see that big shot and I want to see it in the back of the net. And lastly, I believe Louie is in tonight, so Vancouver will need him to play well.

For LA to win, they will need to get some sort of a power-play going. You can bet Vancouver will give them chances and another donut just won’t do. With all the talent in their dressing room I’m not sure how they are 0-for-23, but they need to step it up.

Other than the power-play, the Kings need to play a physical brand of hockey and get strong goaltending.

The fact it is championship ring replica night in Los Angeles is bound to be a motivating factor (cue up the, well at least the Canucks will get their ring jokes). This Canucks team really seems to have a bee in its bonnet right now. I think we will see a better effort out of Vancouver tonight.

3-2 Vancouver


Respect Your Rival
Kyle Clifford


For the past few seasons, I’ve been saying the Kyle Clifford has a bit of Ryan Kesler in him and people have been laughing at me. While it is only a few games in, it is looking like Clifford is on his way to realizing how good he can be and people around the NHL are recognizing it as well.

Clifford is one of those types of players that plays the game at full-speed and on the edge. He brings great work ethic, a physical presence and good skill every time he is on the ice. So far this season, he has 16 hits, 5 points and a +/- of +6. All those stats are No. 1 on the Kings so Vancouver better know when he is on the ice tonight.




That’s a wrap.


Ian

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