GDR: WCQ Gm 7 – Blackhawks @ Canucks

"Hey look! I should say… I can score goals!"
The Canucks need many of these tonight.
(Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Will we see redemption against a playoff nemesis, finally conquering demons long flying over this team? Will we see arguably the greatest collapse in the history of North American pro sports?

Y’know… Whatever… No pressure though.

Game Time: 7:00 PM PT

TV: CBC Radio: Team1040

There is little else that needs to be said about the Vancouver Canucks and how they have squandered away a stranglehold on this series. They are back to being tied with the Chicago Blackhawks, just like they were before the series started.

Tonight is about the Sedins, Kesler, Burrows, Samuelsson, Hamhuis, Edler, Bieksa, and Luongo. It is not about one individual player. It’s about all of them, just like it’s been through this whole series, win or lose. While Luongo has not been his best, he is NOT the reason the Canucks lost three straight games. The team crapped the bed in front of him for two straight games. The Sedins have hardly shown up. Kesler has been busy trying to neutralize Captain Serious. Edler has been horribly inconsistent. Hamhuis has been somewhat hit and miss, as has BIeksa.

The Canucks need EVERYONE rolling to be ultimately effective against a thorny, powerful Blackhawks team that absolutely refuses to quit. Tonight the Canucks won’t have to deal with Tomas Kopecky and Brian Bickell. But they still have to deal with Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Bolland, Keith, Seabrook and Crawford. It’s a formidable task. A daunting task. A task that they should have mopped up a week ago. But they didn’t. They’ve made they’re beds (which they since crapped in), and now it’s time to lie. Ok, Canucks. Are you going to vanquish your nemesis? Or are you going to collapse into sports infamy?

It’s time to pick the former and get this done.

Here are the three keys for the Vancouver Canucks tonight:

1. Remain calm. That’s not just advice for the Canucks, but for all of Vancouver.

2. Come out like you did in Game 1, Period 1. The reset button has been pressed. You’re back to even. So play like you did when it was tied to start with. The first period of Game 1 was arguably the best period the Canucks have played all year. They have to duplicate that. HAVE to.

3. Respond quickly. If they get down, the Canucks have to keep moving and get back on top quickly. What’s killed them in other games has been quick goals from the Blackhawks. Cannot let that happen tonight.

Here are your top 5 links for today’s game:

1. Tale of the Tape: Blackhawks @ Canucks (Canucks.com)

2. Tonight in Game 7, nothing matters except the bottom line (The Province)

3. Canucks’ Judgment Day — is this Vancouver’s time? (Vancouver Sun)

4. Canucks/Blackhawks Preview (Yahoo! Sports)

5. Game 7 Hawks at Canucks Preview (Second City Hockey) << SEE WHAT THE ENEMY HAS TO SAY!