Good game for the Canucks. They pulled out a win by the skin of their teeth. They had some fortuitous luck, too.
Some notes,
Sedins were outshot whilst on the ice, this game, but their line scored two points. It doesn't seem like the Sedins were outshot, though.
Vrbata scored two goals. Finally had some production to go along with his great play. Vancouver really need to assess if they wish to keep him for next season. If not, they should consider finding another team for him in exchange for picks or prospects.
Edler and Tanev have been playing well lately. Makes me wonder what the hell other observers are seeing to be calling Edler a terrible player. His play is solid, and his Corsi stats back this statement up. He's at the same level this year as he was last year. And he was near incredible, last year.
Same goes for Hamhuis and Weber. They've been solid, if not spectacular. The Canucks should consider resigning both for next season, if possible. If not, then they should look to trade both.
Really, what this team has problems with is not their defense, aside from Luca Sbisa, but rather with the inexperience from their younger players. Tonight, they played well together. It's not always the case, but so long as they continue to try to improve their team play, they'll keep improving. Their individual skills got them this far, now it's about the team.
Luca Sbisa's not a very good defender. His problems stems from his poor puck control. Not just once did Canucks' players refrain from passing him the puck in their own zone, even under pressure. The Wild were targeting Sbisa, all night, dumping the puck into his area, and then forcing his unit into making quick decisions, which is something else Sbisa struggles with. It seems the coaching staff has recognized Sbisa's difficulties, though, and have been giving him less responsibility while on the ice, which is good for him and the team. He's also playing a full two minutes less a game, now.
Bartowshi's been doing yeoman's work, paired with Sbisa. Tough minutes for him, but he hasn't let Sbisa's pizzas affect him too much. A solid third pairing defense man, through and through.
Hopefully, there aren't many more injuries to the Canucks defense. Losing Edler or Tanev or even both would probably turn the Canucks' game into a gong show. We don't want a gong show, although that would probably be entertaining in its own little way.
Next Canucks game is on Friday against the Dallas Stars. That should be interesting. When's the last time the Canucks have beaten them? It's been years, innit?
Some notes,
Sedins were outshot whilst on the ice, this game, but their line scored two points. It doesn't seem like the Sedins were outshot, though.
Vrbata scored two goals. Finally had some production to go along with his great play. Vancouver really need to assess if they wish to keep him for next season. If not, they should consider finding another team for him in exchange for picks or prospects.
Edler and Tanev have been playing well lately. Makes me wonder what the hell other observers are seeing to be calling Edler a terrible player. His play is solid, and his Corsi stats back this statement up. He's at the same level this year as he was last year. And he was near incredible, last year.
Same goes for Hamhuis and Weber. They've been solid, if not spectacular. The Canucks should consider resigning both for next season, if possible. If not, then they should look to trade both.
Really, what this team has problems with is not their defense, aside from Luca Sbisa, but rather with the inexperience from their younger players. Tonight, they played well together. It's not always the case, but so long as they continue to try to improve their team play, they'll keep improving. Their individual skills got them this far, now it's about the team.
Luca Sbisa's not a very good defender. His problems stems from his poor puck control. Not just once did Canucks' players refrain from passing him the puck in their own zone, even under pressure. The Wild were targeting Sbisa, all night, dumping the puck into his area, and then forcing his unit into making quick decisions, which is something else Sbisa struggles with. It seems the coaching staff has recognized Sbisa's difficulties, though, and have been giving him less responsibility while on the ice, which is good for him and the team. He's also playing a full two minutes less a game, now.
Bartowshi's been doing yeoman's work, paired with Sbisa. Tough minutes for him, but he hasn't let Sbisa's pizzas affect him too much. A solid third pairing defense man, through and through.
Hopefully, there aren't many more injuries to the Canucks defense. Losing Edler or Tanev or even both would probably turn the Canucks' game into a gong show. We don't want a gong show, although that would probably be entertaining in its own little way.
Next Canucks game is on Friday against the Dallas Stars. That should be interesting. When's the last time the Canucks have beaten them? It's been years, innit?
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