Canucks Army Postgame: Blue Them Out

Highlights

Quick Hits

• Before we get to the game, I think it’s important to look ahead at where the Canucks stand in the current Western Conference playoff race and who we’re cheering for on the out of town scoreboard. Going in to tonight, Vancouver’s playoff chances stood at about 95% per Micah McCurdy’s model – a virtual lock to make the dance barring a catastrophic meltdown. With a win tonight, those odds likely rise, pending out of town results.

• Although Calgary continuing to win hockey games technically chip away at Vancouver’s chances, they put the Los Angeles Kings in a much worse spot. The Kings have had an uneven season, starting out slow while being carried by Jon Quick, but then heating up just in time for Quick to cool off in a big way, and it’s cost them. They’re likely still the most dangerous team in the Pacific division – we’ve seen them do this whole routine before after all – and are the nightmare first round opponent for not just Vancouver, but for any team in the West.
• I’m fairly confident at this team’s ability to not melt down, as falling off the face of the Earth like they did last season is highly improbable. So I’m pretty comfortable cheering for the Flames to keep winning, aside from the whole cheering for the Flames thing. It shouldn’t have any material impact on Vancouver’s playoff chances because Vancouver is firmly in control of their own destiny, and is good enough to take care of themselves.
• The Jets, Canucks, and Flames making the playoffs over the Kings represents all Pacific teams’ best chance at making it to the Western Conference finals, so all hockey fans in the Pacific should have two favourite teams down the stretch: their regular favourite, and whoever is playing against Los Angeles.
• On to the game tonight: I didn’t think the Canucks particularly played that well. The Blues had more jump off the top, and seemed to prey on Vancouver’s depth, particularly Kevin Bieksa and Luca Sbisa. Vancouver got the game back under control later in the first though, thanks to the steadying play of Eddie Lack. After they took the 2-1 lead though, Desjardins’ club appeared to be content to play a “good road game” which is a euphemism for getting your ass kicked and holding on for dear life. This isn’t unexpected though because we know score effects are a thing.
• Fortunately, even if you get 40% of the shots, you’re likely going to outscore the opponent if they keep giving you breakaways and odd-man rushes. How do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs ever won games the past few seasons?
• Sure, the first two guys sent in on a breakaway were Derek Dorsett and Jannik Hansen, but we’ve seen Hansen have breakaway success this year. Someone was going to score if it kept up, and that someone was Shawn Matthias.
• Radim Vrbata scored again because of course he did. Vrbata is now just four goals off of his career high this season, and has been nothing short of fantastic for the Canucks. It’s been the perfect storm of being placed in a better position to fire more pucks at the net on the powerplay because of the Sedins, and a (likely unsustainable) spike in personal shooting percentage, leading to one of the best years of his career. I wouldn’t pencil him in for another 30 next year, but he’s been a godsend for a team that just could not score goals last season, particularly on the man advantage.
• Oh, and Chris Tanev has 4 assists in the two games since signing his shiny new contract. Tanev’s career to date tells us that his offensive ability is pretty limited, but he’s always looked like he has more to give in terms of playmaking. His greatest asset is that he’s a brilliant passer that makes near-flawless reads and great outlets, and I don’t see any reason why he can’t chip in more actual assists.

Conclusion