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Sharks/Canucks
Vancouver is back home once again to take on the high-flying San Jose Sharks. This one should have all the action and intensity of a playoff game because these two teams really don't like each other.
Vancouver is coming off a disappointing loss that as a result of one part bad officiating and three parts bad effort. Vancouver will surely be looking to prove something tonight as a result of their poor effort on Sunday night. Because of that, I expect to see a Canucks team that manhandled the Kings on Friday and not the Canucks team that rolled over and played dead on Sunday night.
After their red hot start, San Jose has limped around the league to a tune of 24 points in 20 games. The Sharks have been anything but world beaters as of late, collecting only 3 wins in their last 10 and winning only three road games all year. San Jose will need to bring their "A" game in order to keep pace with Vancouver.
The main key that I will be paying attention to is how well Vancouver will protect the Sedins. On Sunday night, the Flames did a masterful job of getting in Daniel and Henrik's face and hitting them every chance they got. It's been pretty clear as of late that league officials are okay with players hooking, holding slashing and smashing the twins (10 penalties in 5 games is a bit odd to me). Tonight, Vancouver needs to push back and make sure the Sharks are kept in check and make sure Danny and Hank know that the team has their back.
If Vancouver has push back from the opening puck drop they win. If they turn tail and hope the referees make calls, they will be in trouble.
I think we see a fight filled game with Vancouver winning.
Prediction- 4-1 Vancouver
Respect Your Rival
Ryane Clowe
I like a couple of players on the Sharks, but I think Ryane Clowe is my favourite. I know he can do a few bone-headed things every now and then, but the guy is all heart. He's one of the only players in the NHL that every shift I see him play, I can honestly say, that he gave it his all. He is a huge hitter and he will fight to keep the other teams players in line. I know I have Vancouver to win tonight, but I have a feeling Clowe gets on the scoreboard tonight.
Mock Draft
1-Columbus- Seth Jones, Portland D 6'3/208
2-Florida- Jonathan Drouin, Halifax LW 5'11/185
3-Washington- Nate MacKinnon, Halifax C 6'0/182
4-Tampa Bay- Sean Monahan, Ottawa C 6'2/186
5-Buffalo- Aleksander Barkov, Tappara C 6'2/205
6-NY Islanders- Elias Lindholm, Brynas C 5'11/181
7-Edmonton- Valeri Nichushkin, Chelijabinsk LW 6'4/196
8-Colorado- Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat C/RW 5'11/174
9-Calgary- Darnell Nurse, Sault Ste. Marie D 6'3/189
10-Winnipeg- Nikita Zadorov, London D 6'5/230
11-Columbus (from NYR)- Rasmus Ristolainen, TPS Turku D 6'3/203
12-Nashville- Curtis Lazar, Edmonton C 5'11/193
13-Philadelphia- Anthony Mantha, Val d'Or LW 6'4/190
14-Detroit- Nicolas Petan, Portland C 5'9/163
15-Dallas- Adam Erne, Quebec LW 6'1/195
16-Minnesota- Alexander Wennberg, Djurgardens C 6'1/174
17-St. Louis- Max Domi, London C/LW 5'9/193
18-San Jose- Ryan Pulock, Brandon D 6'0/211
19- Columbus (from LA)- Kerby Rychel, Windsor LW 6'1/200
20-Phoenix- Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert D 5'11/182
21-New Jersey- Zachary Fucale, Halifax G 6'1/181
22-Carolina- Mirco Mueller Everett D 6'3/184
23-Vancouver- Morgan Klimchuk, Regina C/LW 5'11/180
24-Ottawa- Ryan Hartman, Plymouth C/RW 5'11/187
25-Toronto- Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski C 6'5/210
26-Pittsburgh- Pavel Buchnevich, Cheropovets C/LW 6'1/161
27-Boston- Bo Horvat, London C/LW 6'0/200
28-Montreal- Laurent Dauphin, Chicoutimi C 6'0/167
29-Anaheim- Shea Theodore, Seattle D 6'2/182
30-Chicago- Madison Bowey, Kelowna D 6'1/200
This is my mock draft. I will answer any questions on the message boards and have the game day blog up later in the day.
Ice Girls
One poster said that the Flyers had hotter Ice Girls. Let's settle this.
That's a wrap
Ian
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