Western Conference Quarter Final Game 1 Preview
Cam Davie
April 11 2012 12:50PM
Thanks to Matt Henderson of theyslayedthedragon for mocking up the above postseason game preview banner!
The time has come.
Today is the day you woke up glazed in the icky type of stress sweat unique to oft-tortured fans who root for perpetually cursed franchises, with the words "this year," on your lips. It's the day you shave - for what you hope is the final time in several months. It's the day you rush to the BCL to pick up a twenty-four pack, just to get you through the first period. From here on in, the hockey doesn't just matter - it seems like it's life or death. The hits are bigger, the goal celebrations become desperate, and the intensity turns up so many notches it embarrasses Subway Jared's belt.
Yes, today marks the return of playoff hockey.
On Wednesday, April 11th 2012 at 7:30 the puck will drop and the Canucks will host the Los Angeles Kings in the first game of what should be a tightly contested first round series. The Canucks will almost certainly be without their leading scorer, a huge blow, though they've proven they can win without him. For the Canucks it marks the first big-step towards ultimate redemption and immortality. Can the team win one more game than they won last season, or will Canucks fans wake up a year from now, yet again dripping wet and mumbling hopeful, incoherent nonsense: "this is it, this is finally the year"? We'll find out over the next few months...
Click past the jump for the underlying numbers, key performers and more detailed game information.
Stats Be Damned - The Canucks Got This
Cam Davie
April 10 2012 11:58AM
Let's see.. Defenceman scoring, tonnes of Canucks fans, only one Kings player in view ...
And this was the first Canucks/Kings picture I found. Yep, don't worry kids. they got this.
(Photo by Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images)
Thomas Drance, the fearless leader of our venerable blog, used his steadfast numbers to break down the Canucks and Kings series. He took off his Canucks hat to analyze the stats, he removed emotion and bias and determined that the Los Angeles Kings, by the underlying possession numbers, were downright frightening.
Now, it's pretty hard to argue with Thom's numbers, because he is damn good at breaking this stuff down to a level that even an idiot like me can understand. The only way to fight fire is to use fire. My fire consists of only a few stats, but plenty of yelling and arm waving and kicking things within my immediate vicinity.
Canucks fans are an irrational, emotional bunch, and so I shall placate our readers with a rebuttal of Thom's preview. Contrary to the predictions of the "advanced stats" dudes that there are plenty of reasons why the Canucks will this series.
Click past the jump, because I've got five of them.
You Know What I Hate?! - April 9th
Cam Davie
April 09 2012 01:38PM
Hordi is angry. And so am I. He's angry about getting a penalty.
I'm angry that Darcy Hordichuk still plays hockey in the National Hockey League.
(Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Today I continue my weekly feature of me venting and raging on stupid crap happening with the Canucks, their fans and around the NHL. Two things about feature... 1) It will appear (hopefully) every Monday, and 2) It is blatantly ripped off from a stand-up bit from comedian Craig Anton. On either point, I make no apologies. Enjoy. Or don't.
This week, I call a series of inexplicable penalties on Staples Center, Gary Bettman, dumb historical stats and a lack of love for Hammy.
Cheers and Jeers - Apr 6th
Cam Davie
April 06 2012 11:19AM
The Good and the Bad of this past week.
It's Friday. So we close out the "Week That Was" with our latest volume of... "Cheers and Jeers!"
This week, I stand in awe of the sweet moves of Henrik Sedin, Greg Wyshyski and Puck Daddy, and a thankful redditor, while I sit on the bench and stop Ryane Clowe, Dennis Bernstein, and idiot Canucks fans.
Game #81 Preview - Flame Out
Cam Davie
April 05 2012 11:58AM
Olli Jokinen: "Is that what winning looks like?"
A single tear rolls down his cheek as he remembers that one time he was in the playoffs.
(Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)
Game Day Recon: Game #81 - Canucks @ Flames
Ah, it's now a Rite of Spring in the West. The flowers start to bloom, the animals awake from hibernation and the Flames are either out of the playoffs or die in the first round. Since the Calgary Flames won that precious Cup that Flames fans like to hold over the heads of lowly Canucks fans like some sort of mythical hammer, the Flames have progressed past the first round of the playoffs once. That's one time in 22 seasons, including a current string of 3 straight years of missing the playoffs.
Spring has sprung and the Flames are done. On to REAL hockey!
