Everybody Got To Have A Dream: Canucks & Predators – Game Five

> Solving #35: Vigneault has had to use a few tricks up his sleeve this series, including rolling Kesler’s in more OZ draws than the slumping Sedins. With no true offensive threat to shut down, Kesler’s line has gone into full blown beast mode, combining for eight points in four games, including all the GWGs. In an effort to assist operation ‘blow up Rinne’ the defense has averaged nine shots a game (only three in the game two loss) and finally hit paydirt in game four with goals from Ehrhoff and Edler. Meanwhile Lapierre is beginning to prove his value on the PK and FO%, Bieksa and Hammer has done a fantastic job snuffing out the high percentage shots and Luongo’s .921 and 2.19 GAA are ranked behind only Thomas and Roloson at this point. If they can dominate the chances and keep Rinne moving, there’s a good chance this ends tonight. Then again the last time Vancouver was one win away from a conference final was 2003 and we know how that turned out.

> Solving #17: Trotz has started shifting his dynamic duo (Suter/Weber) to covering the Kesler line and tonight may be when the shift charts get pretty absurd. Yet if they can neutralize the Canucks best line, it’ll be a step in the right direction for a game six. If ever there was a time for the SOB/Klein pairing to prove their worth, it’ll be keeping the slumping Sedins off the board. Up front Joel Ward is leading the way and Vancouver has to learn not to leave him hanging around Luongo all by himself. J.P. Dumont will step in for Smithson and that’s a change the Canucks will gladly take: Dumont has yet to see action this series while Smithson has been one of the better ES and PK players for the Preds. Lastly there is Rinne who will need some of the biggest plays of his life to keep this series alive past tonight.

> Impress Your Friends With Knowledge!: Henrik Sedin’s ENG was the 18th playoff marker of his career, ranking him sixth highest for the franchise’s post season scoring totals.