Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Day: March 12 vs. Los Angeles Kings, Kenins To Play It's high-stakes poker at Rogers Arena on Thursday night as the Vancouver Canucks host the Los Angeles Kings for the first of three late-season matchups that will go a long way towards determining Pacific Division playoff positions.

Fist!


and I agree. It would be fun to watch Vancouver and Calgary in the first round.

There's 3 refs in the Leafs thread this morning. Tread carefully.

If Los Angeles dominates the Canucks like the Ducks did, they won't be lucky enough to win two games in a row like that.

There's 3 refs in the Leafs thread this morning. Tread carefully.
- Marwood

I never go in there. I don't see a need to throw any further incendiaries on that tire fire; that bad boy is going to smolder for years...

If Los Angeles dominated the Canucks like the Ducks did, they won't be lucky enough to win two games in a row like that.
- LeftCoaster

It's more likely that there will a one or two 3 point games as opposed to 3 outright victories, but like I've always said, the LAK are the absolute worst match-up for the Canucks in the entire league IMO. This will be a tough stretch.

It's more likely that there will a one or two 3 point games as opposed to 3 outright victories, but like I've always said, the LAK are the absolute worst match-up for the Canucks in the entire league IMO. This will be a tough stretch.
- AlexF

The size, physical play and speed of the Cali teams is a challenge. Not sure why we do okay against the Blues.

As per the tough stretch, they can't take any games for granted.

Jim Jamieson @JamiesonCanucks .
#Canucks Chris Higgins back on the ice with a large-ish group at optional morning skate


Elliott Pap @ElliottPap
· 34m 34 minutes ago
Based on which players out early, looks like these 5 Nux not playing tonite vs Kings: 3, 6, 15, 21, 44. #canucks

https://cloudup.com/cOUkf5eaf17/f

https://cloudup.com/cOUkf5eaf17/f


- Loolio

The size, physical play and speed of the Cali teams is a challenge. Not sure why we do okay against the Blues.

As per the tough stretch, they can't take any games for granted.

Jim Jamieson @JamiesonCanucks .
#Canucks Chris Higgins back on the ice with a large-ish group at optional morning skate


Elliott Pap @ElliottPap
· 34m 34 minutes ago
Based on which players out early, looks like these 5 Nux not playing tonite vs Kings: 3, 6, 15, 21, 44. #canucks
- hillbillydeluxe

In recent years the Blues have lacked the elite offensive skill to capitalize on their physical dominance. Hits don't equal goals. LAK have that level of sniping talent in Carter, Kopitar, etc. Although with the emergence of Tarasenko the Blues may be turning the corner.

In recent years the Blues have lacked the elite offensive skill to capitalize on their physical dominance. Hits don't equal goals. LAK have that level of sniping talent in Carter, Kopitar, etc. Although with the emergence of Tarasenko the Blues may be turning the corner.
- AlexF

It seems like just about every team around us is getting better. I hope the press steps back a bit from all the attention they are giving Horvat, but prolly not in this market.

As per the hits not equaling goals, I think Kassian's presence on the Sedin line has given the twins some room. But you are right, you still need the skill guys to finish.

It seems like just about every team around us is getting better. I hope the press steps back a bit from all the attention they are giving Horvat, but prolly not in this market.

As per the hits not equaling goals, I think Kassian's presence on the Sedin line has given the twins some room. But you are right, you still need the skill guys to finish.
- hillbillydeluxe

Thats Henriks job now a days...

Fist!


and I agree. It would be fun to watch Vancouver and Calgary in the first round.
- KOS

I was reading a THN story that said (possibly) Nashville could draw LA in the 1st round, which confused me; still getting used to the new alignment, but I thought you drew the wild card from your division. Am I wrong?

Thats Henriks job now a days...
- moondawg

And Vrbata on the 2nd line, Horvat on the 3rd...

I was reading a THN story that said (possibly) Nashville could draw LA in the 1st round, which confused me; still getting used to the new alignment, but I thought you drew the wild card from your division. Am I wrong?
- roland_hazard

I believe that the wild card team with the worst record plays the division winner with the best record, regardless of division. I'm not sure exactly how playoff seeding works under the new system, tbh, but I like the matchups that it creates.

Boychuk: 7 years, $42M

I was reading a THN story that said (possibly) Nashville could draw LA in the 1st round, which confused me; still getting used to the new alignment, but I thought you drew the wild card from your division. Am I wrong?
- roland_hazard

There's no re-seeding once the brackets are drawn. However, it's still #1 overall vs #8, #2 overall vs #7 (#2 & #3 in the SAME division play each other)

If Nashville is #1, and LA #8, they would play each other, and the winner of that match would play the winner of the 2/3 (in their division) series (Chicago/St. Louis). LA stays in that bracket.

Lets say Ducks #2, and Winnipeg #7. Winnipeg plays the Ducks, and the winner of that series would play winner of #2/3 (in their division) series (Vancouver/Calgary-for argument sake).

Hope that makes sense.

The physicality of this game will probably dictate the outcome depending on the kind of refereeing we get. One game? It could go either way. A seven game series, LA wins hands down.

There's no re-seeding once the brackets are drawn. However, it's still #1 vs #8, #2 vs #7 (#3 & #4 in the SAME division play each other)

If Nashville is #1, and LA #8, they would play each other, and the winner of that match would play the winner of the 3/4 series (Chicago/St. Louis). LA stays in that bracket.

Lets say Ducks #2, and Winnipeg #7. Winnipeg plays the Ducks, and the winner of that series would play winner of #3/4 series (Vancouver/Calgary-for argument sake).

Hope that makes sense.
- quackup

It does, thank you.
How about another question?
I was watching hockey, not Following it, the last time the league expanded. I understand the new club (in the case, likely Las Vegas) would receive a player from each club.
Do all (in this case) 30 teams just shed a bad contract/player they don't want? Does the new team pick up the contract, or resign under a new one? Does the new-formed club have any say in who they get?

The physicality of this game will probably dictate the outcome depending on the kind of refereeing we get. One game? It could go either way. A seven game series, LA wins hands down.
- VanHockeyGuy

I am hoping for a good, clean physical game, Kassian not running around (but hitting), we win and avoid injury- besides the usual bumps and bruises.

Am I asking too much?

It does, thank you.
How about another question?
I was watching hockey, not Following it, the last time the league expanded. I understand the new club (in the case, likely Las Vegas) would receive a player from each club.
Do all (in this case) 30 teams just shed a bad contract/player they don't want? Does the new team pick up the contract, or resign under a new one? Does the new-formed club have any say in who they get?
- roland_hazard

Someone else will have to give specifics, but a team is allowed to "protect" a certain # of players. Anyone not protected by their club is subject to being drafted by the new expansion team. That team assumes the existing contract (assumption). I believe a team cannot lose more then two players. Again, I don't know the specifics.

I am hoping for a good, clean physical game, Kassian not running around (but hitting), we win and avoid injury- besides the usual bumps and bruises.

Am I asking too much.
- hillbillydeluxe

We will find out who want's this game more. Sutter style hockey tonight.

We will find out who want's this game more. Sutter style hockey tonight.
- VanHockeyGuy

Looking forward too it.

And the silly facial expressions of both coaches.

It seems like just about every team around us is getting better. I hope the press steps back a bit from all the attention they are giving Horvat, but prolly not in this market.

As per the hits not equaling goals, I think Kassian's presence on the Sedin line has given the twins some room. But you are right, you still need the skill guys to finish.
- hillbillydeluxe

I have some, though not too much, faith that on some level, LA has gotten worse. (as have the Sharks) Their last run, while spectacular, they barely made it out of-not once, but twice, and are going into this next SCF (if they make it) handicapped by Voynov being out, and Richards production not adequately replaced. I think they (and the Bruins) have both seen their last deep run for some time to come. The hill-to-climb seems to be in the Central, who we are decent against. I think we'd beat the Blues or the Hawks in a best of seven- I'd worry more about the Jets playing 'up' than I would those two. Nashville- not so confident, we'd get wiped out. I expect, (and won't be disappointed if)we get to the second round.