Can the Canucks Break the Barrier a Second Time?

The Chicago Blackhawks were known for two things in this year's post-season:
1. They are considered the "Comeback Kids".
2. They are undefeated at home.

That all changed when the Canucks came to town, took an early lead, and held on for the win to destroy both those facts about the Hawks, and tonight, they look to repeat that performance and push the series to a commanding 3-1 lead.

Consider this a moment of adversity for the Hawks, and it is their first chance to overcome it, as a loss tonight could seemingly put this series out of reach as Luongo is known for stealing games. If the Canucks move up 3-1, Vancouver will surely win the series as there is no doubt Luongo can get at least 1 win in the remaining possible 3 games, rather easily.

The Blackhawks need to come out with sure fire and pepper Vancouver early from all angles. They need to keep their legs moving to draw the calls, play two way hockey and keep Luongo pressed back in his net; that means more down low work from Eager and Byfuglien.

Tonight will be nothing short of interesting as we see just which team wants it more. Consider this the Hawks Game 7, it's do or die tonight. Do the Hawks have what it takes?

I'll be liveblogging this game for your pleasure on TheScore, you can tune in for the event for some great hockey discussion and hopefully and even better game.

Micheal A. Aldred
michealaldred@hotmail.com

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Sundin Signing Panning Out?

Somebody asked me the other day if the Sundin signing is panning out for Vancouver. Being the jackass that I am, I kind of surprised myself that I didn't have a quick answer for them.

I guess it kind of depends on how you look at it.

If you consider the fact that the Vancouver Canucks have been the hottest team in the league since the beginning of February, you could say that it is working out like a charm. After setting the team record for consecutive home losses with 11, the Canucks have gone on a 20-5-2 run. With numbers like that, one could easily devise that the Mike Gillis' master plan is working out.

But was this really the master plan?

Despite all the wins, Sundin's performance hasn't actually been all that stellar. Over the past eight games, the big center has had 0 goals, 4 assists, and has been a minus -5. In comparison, the Sedin's numbers have been considerably better:

Hendrik Sedin: 6 goals, 9 assists, plus 15
Daniel Sedin: 5 goals, 9 assists, plus 8

If the plan was to 'bait' the other team's checkers with the Sundin-Demitra line while the Sedin twins rip it up, then I guess it has worked out brilliantly. For some reason however, I highly doubt that that Gillis' master plan was to.....master-'bait'.

Either way, Canucks fans are happy. The team has been on a tear and Luongo is back to his stellar self. Coach Vigneualt's breaking up of the third line and adding Kesler and Burrows to the top two has been the spark that this team needed. His only hope now is that this move doesn't come back to sting him. Wellwood, Pyatt and Bernier are currently taking care of third line duties and despite doing a fine job so far in the regular season, you can be assured that whoever faces the Canucks in the first round will be looking to expose Wellwood as the third line checking center.

As for the Sundin question, I guess I'll have to leave the answer up to Sundin himself. The big Swede's performance over the 2nd half of the regular season means little to nothing truthfully. If you evaluate it based solely on his performance to date, then no, it hasn't worked out at all. If Sundin is able to have an impact in the postseason by winning key faceoffs, being a big presence down low and scoring clutch goals, then the signing has worked like a charm.

I looks like we'll have to wait before we get our final answer. For now, Sundin still remains the 'master' of his own domain.

So to speak.


Ryan D. MacIntyre
thejackass@hockeyjackass.com


UPDATE
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the friends and family of Carly Bragnalo, Taylor Pyatt's girlfriend, who was killled in a car accident in Jamaica this week.

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