Vancouver Canucks vs. Ottawa Senators - Sunday March 2 - 1:00 p.m. - Heritage Classic Game at BC Place - CBC
Vancouver Canucks: 28-24-10 66 points ninth in Western Conference Ottawa Senators: 26-23-11 63 points 12th in Eastern Conference
So much to talk about! So little time!
I DJed the NHL's private party for their sponsors at the Commodore last night till 2:00 a.m. Now I'm getting ready to head down to the Spectator Plaza at the Plaza of Nations, then head over to BC Place.
Though they apparently haven't made an official announcement, I'm guessing that the roof will be closed at the stadium.
I'm just back from a run, and we went past the stadium. The snow has already changed to rain and I don't think they'll risk that on the playing surface. So—it's a large spectacle to be sure, but probably not actually "outdoors" in the true sense.
Credit to the fans, though. Even at 9:30 a.m., there was a pretty good buzz around the Plaza of Nations. They've created that sense of "event" that brings back memories of our Olympics.
I just heard that there's already a lineup to get into the Spectator Plaza, before 11:00 a.m.
Since I'll be in the stands as a fan today, I will try to do some Tweeting during the game, but I need to get a move on to get down to the event.
So—the main news of the day:
#FreeLuongo
Like most of you, I'm sure, I was stunned by the news that Eddie Lack will likely be starting in goal today. I guess it's still not officially confirmed, but we have this:
#Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack having a look at the ice right now at BC Place. Looks like a guy who thinks he’s starting.
— CKNW980SPORTS (@CKNW980SPORTS) March 2, 2014This feels to me like a real slap in the face to Roberto Luongo, who has been nothing but a team player all year long since coming back to Vancouver. He hasn't made a fuss about not getting the last two starts—which made some sense due to the jetlag issue—but he deserved to play in a unique marquee game in front of a big national audience.
No slight against Lack, but the rookie has lots of other great moments to look forward to.
I had always wanted the issues to be resolved and Lu could have a long, happy career here. This really makes me hope that the team exercises the buyout this summer and puts an end to this fiasco once and for all.
No, I don't think he'll be traded by Wednesday.
Pens Want Kes
Even NHL.com is reporting the details of a package that the Pittsburgh Penguins have put forth for Ryan Kesler.
Three things on that:
1) Add my voice to those who say the package, as it's laid out, is not nearly enough. My simple argument is that we would need to get back more goals than we're giving up—in the present, not just for the future.
2) I think we can assume from this report that this is where the Kesler rumours originated—including the Sochi part. Let's not forget that Penguins' coach Dan Bylsma was just coaching Kesler a week ago back in the Olympics. Clearly, he liked what he saw.
3) If I was Kesler, would I want to waive my no-trade to play behind centers Crosby and Malkin? That doesn't seem like much fun. I suspect the Pens would want him to play on the wing in place of the injured Pascal Dupuis in the short run, but I think over the long terms they'd be looking at him as more of a two-way specialist. Would be tough to get power play minutes with that group.
Yeah, they're a contender, but from Kesler's point of view, I don't think they're a fit at all.
That's all for now. I'll have a complete recap and lots more musing tomorrow morning. Enjoy the game!