Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Review: No Lead Too Big to Blow vs. Canadiens The road trip from hell continued as the Vancouver Canucks let a 3-0 lead evaporate on their way to a 4-3 overtime loss against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.

Couldn't we get 4 other effective pylons for the same as one, over priced one dimensional pylon.
- Makita

One dimensional ha he plays forward and defence. Big skilled and can skate. Plays on the edge every game. He is exactly what this team needs if he can stay in shape.

Couldn't we get 4 other effective pylons for the same as one, over priced one dimensional pylon.
- Makita

One dimensional ha he plays forward and defence. Big skilled and can skate. Plays on the edge every game. He is exactly what this team needs if he can stay in shape.
- thundachunk

I like Buff and think he is a very unique and imposing player but I just don't see him as legit top pair D because of his consistency. I think he would demand a long term contract and won't live up to it at all. I am on board for adding bruising bodies, I would even take a chance on Chris Stewart as a Lucic-lite, but Buff isnt someone I throw big money and term at for the Canucks at this time of their transition

I like Buff and think he is a very unique and imposing player but I just don't see him as legit top pair D because of his consistency. I think he would demand a long term contract and won't live up to it at all. I am on board for adding bruising bodies, I would even take a chance on Chris Stewart as a Lucic-lite, but Buff isnt someone I throw big money and term at for the Canucks at this time of their transition
- WhiteLie

It is so easy, no offense, to say I'd take this player over that player, but so much has to do with availability when you have cap space. Watching the playoffs last year, I wished we would have had Engelland on our team over Sbisa.

If I had a choice between Edler and Buff, I'd go with Buff. Looking at salary, I don't know how much Buff is going to demand, but see him as more of a top d option than Edler.

Stewart at that salary sounds interesting, but I am not sure how many suitors Stewart had... It has to be difficult for GM's to get the players they want at the salary they want to pay.

Jim Benning

It is so easy, no offense, to say I'd take this player over that player, but so much has to do with availability when you have cap space. Watching the playoffs last year, I wished we would have had Engelland on our team over Sbisa.

If I had a choice between Edler and Buff, I'd go with Buff. Looking at salary, I don't know how much Buff is going to demand, but see him as more of a top d option than Edler.

Stewart at that salary sounds interesting, but I am not sure how many suitors Stewart had... It has to be difficult for GM's to get the players they want at the salary they want to pay.
- hillbillydeluxe

I'm not suggesting there are many I would pick over Buff today. I just think he is at the stage in his career where he is going to get the max FA contract term at a high dollar amount, I am not sure its best for the Canucks to explore unless they are sure he will be the same player or better in 3 years. Based on his struggles/inconsistency, I would steer clear (as many have suggested for Lucic) and look for similar impact type players at better term/value. I know top D dont come around often, but there have been many that don't work out (like Campbell, Redden)

i think the Canucks took their foot off the gas a bit at 3-0 and then once Montreal got that 3-1 goal, it's hard to just flip the switch back on, especially when the other team is coming at you. some teams you can shut it down at 3-0 and coast the final 20-30 minutes but against a team that's going to attack you with all 4 lines and activate its defence, you're asking for trouble.

After that game, I am considering some cowbell myself.

i think the Canucks took their foot off the gas a bit at 3-0 and then once Montreal got that 3-1 goal, it's hard to just flip the switch back on, especially when the other team is coming at you. some teams you can shut it down at 3-0 and coast the final 20-30 minutes but against a team that's going to attack you with all 4 lines and activate its defence, you're asking for trouble.
- DoubleDown

we have seen it too often, get the lead and the Canucks stop attacking. This is usually followed by the opposing team pushing back, scoring and the Canucks taking too long to push back or as you say, flip the switch.

The Canadiens were able to come back, but would add that any team that wants to sit on a lead with time to play is asking for trouble. Why change from a strategy that gets you the lead?

The Canucks are seldom able to coast for over a period without getting burnt, and deservedly so.

Anyone else notice a resemblance between Hunter and this guy

I'm not suggesting there are many I would pick over Buff today. I just think he is at the stage in his career where he is going to get the max FA contract term at a high dollar amount, I am not sure its best for the Canucks to explore unless they are sure he will be the same player or better in 3 years. Based on his struggles/inconsistency, I would steer clear (as many have suggested for Lucic) and look for similar impact type players at better term/value. I know top D dont come around often, but there have been many that don't work out (like Campbell, Redden)
- WhiteLie

I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can get an impact player like Buff for 3 years, 7 mil max. (what day is today?)

more cowbell

After that game, I am considering some cowbell myself.
- Beatle_john

I recommend weed.

Anyone else notice a resemblance between Hunter and this guy


- A_SteamingLombardi

Looks like a white haired Dale Weise

Looks like a white haired Dale Weise
- LordHumungous

i think the Canucks took their foot off the gas a bit at 3-0 and then once Montreal got that 3-1 goal, it's hard to just flip the switch back on, especially when the other team is coming at you. some teams you can shut it down at 3-0 and coast the final 20-30 minutes but against a team that's going to attack you with all 4 lines and activate its defence, you're asking for trouble.
- DoubleDown

Even though I think the Habs are going deep this year with many roles filled it's not just MTL. This Canucks team has developed some psych problems when protecting leads and it's hard to say if it's going to be solved anytime soon. I think it's 12 losses by 1 goal now and many of those blown 3rd period leads. It's a mental hump they somehow have to get across not sure what it's going to take.

Weise looked like he was trying extra hard last night. Too bad he still sucks and couldn't score.

I recommend weed.
- Marwood

Weed should be before the game that way you don't care who wins.

Even though I think the Habs are going deep this year with many roles filled it's not just MTL. This Canucks team has developed some psych problems when protecting leads and it's hard to say if it's going to be solved anytime soon. I think it's 12 losses by 1 goal now and many of those blown 3rd period leads. It's a mental hump they somehow have to get across not sure what it's going to take.
- LordHumungous

That was the impression I was getting from the post game presser.... not so much so with WD decisions late in the game, still confused by that but I think WD is worried about the team psyche from what he was saying, not trying to get too down on a team that has had its struggles on this road trip. minimizing how frustrated he likely is.

As we were saying earlier, the return of Sbisa should help a bit, have to keep an eye on Hutton, has made more mistakes in a larger role, don't want him to lose confidence. Sutter returning might help Horvat, take some of the pressure off him.

When everyone gets healthy, no more excuses.

Weise looked like he was trying extra hard last night. Too bad he still sucks and couldn't score.
- Scooby_Doo

Career 4th liner!!

Career 4th liner!!


- LordHumungous

The Habs had him on their 2nd unit powerplay.
How bad must their other options be to go to Weise.

The Habs had him on their 2nd unit powerplay.
How bad must their other options be to go to Weise.
- Scooby_Doo

He's just being rewarded for some decent play. He'll be back in the press box soon enough.

That was the impression I was getting from the post game presser.... not so much so with WD decisions late in the game, still confused by that but I think WD is worried about the team psyche from what he was saying, not trying to get too down on a team that has had its struggles on this road trip. minimizing how frustrated he likely is.

As we were saying earlier, the return of Sbisa should help a bit, have to keep an eye on Hutton, has made more mistakes in a larger role, don't want him to lose confidence. Sutter returning might help Horvat, take some of the pressure off him.

When everyone gets healthy, no more excuses.
- hillbillydeluxe

Added toughness on the back end will help big time. And the role that Sutter and Prust left haven't really ben filled by anyone stepping up. Horvat can't do it all with Baertchi and JV as linemates even though that's what people want to see. It will be a transition year for him if that line stays as is. Hutton is like most offensive minded young Dmen he takes risks and sometimes gets burned. Let's just hope the rewards are not getting burnt too often. He is turning into a bit of a rover and WD needs to reign that in.

I say toss Burrows back on line 1 and Sutter can handle line 2 with Baertchi and Vrbata. Higgins Horvat Hansen for line 3 and Prust McCann Dorsett for line 4 when all is healthy. Problem is WD needs to leave it that way for a bit so they can mesh. Much like AV the constant line juggling needs to get tempered. I get the need to juggle around injuries but still. They need to get familiar with linemates and what I see out there is that no one is really familiar with each other yet except maybe the Sedins. Need some consistent lines big time.

The Habs had him on their 2nd unit powerplay.
How bad must their other options be to go to Weise.
- Scooby_Doo

Weiss has more goals then anyone on the Canucks thus far this season with 8. What does that say about all your options?

Weiss has more goals then anyone on the Canucks thus far this season with 8. What does that say about all your options?
- jayteeisr

It's called horseshoes and hand grenades. Believe me with Weise you will see what I'm talking about soon enough.