To The Cliffs!: Canucks & Blackhawks – Game Five

> There are no words: I get that Canucks fans are supposed to ignore game IV dead, but there are no past memories to draw on that mirror such an unexpected, complete collapse that it’s truly stunning the longer one entertains a mental recap. It’s been over a day and I’m still at a loss for even the most basic English descriptors of those sixty minutes. Therein lies the good news: we know that wasn’t the real Canucks. With a chance to end this at home and not spend another weekend in Chicago should be motivation enough to make game V memorable for the right reasons. Torres said that it’s important for the team to take their lumps; done and done. The Sedins need to exploit their chances, Kesler needs to keep Toews under wraps and the depth threats (Raymond, Hansen, Higgins, Samuelsson) need to make a difference. Their PP is once against best in the league and Chicago’s has sunk to last; leveraging that alone could (should?) be the difference. Expect no line-up changes, though I’d kill for Hodgson back at 3LC and Raymond back at wing. Luongo, as expected, returns between the pipes.

> Do or die, take two: Can’t ask more from a third line: Bolland had a glourious return to the ice with four points and linemates Bickell and Frolik combined for four themselves. Sharp struck twice on the man advantage, but the wheels flew off the Canucks happy bus when Keith and Campell scored 17 seconds apart in the second. All together Chicago had six different goal scorers, nixing any questions about their depth. They also outhit Vancouver for the first time in the series, nixing any questions about their toughness and sheer resilency. All of that without workhorse Seabrook who traveled with the team but won’t play tonight. Chicago can guarentee another Madhouse this weekend if they continue to dominate chances at ES, frustrate the Canucks top lines and make Vancouver pay on the PP. Tougher to do on the road, but far from impossible, especially for a team that has figured out how to get at their opponent and has owned them at their home arena the past two post seasons.

> Impress Your Friends With Knowledge!: The last time Luongo was pulled? November 20th against Chicago when he coughed up four goals in a little over two periods in a 7-1 loss. Oy.