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CANUCKS ARMY PLAYOFF GDT #3 – CANUCKS VS. FLAMES
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Always90four
Apr 19, 2015, 11:00 EDTUpdated:
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SERIES TIED 1-1
EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE!!! Now THAT was playoff hockey! The Canucks buried any memories from Game 1 and absolutely dominated the Flames from the opening puck drop. The series now shifts to the wonderful city of Calgary for Game 3 this evening. The Flames are already playing hurt, and the hurts are attached to some of their VIPs (Very Insignificant Players….as far as we’re concerned).
The Canucks brought the house in Game 2 and proved they can take this series over if they continue that style of play. Ronalds Kenins scored his first ever playoff goal and it was a big one. He brought the murders, but so did half of the ‘Nucks as well. The brouhaha that ended Game 2 will probably make the Flames think twice about doing that again. Derek Dorsett, anyone?

BROADCAST INFO

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM Pacific
TV: CBC
RADIO: TSN 1040

LINEUPS

The Taco King himself, Eddie Lack, will once again man the pipes for Game 3. He was stellar in Vancouver so you just don’t mess with that. Kevin Bieksa battled through last game and he looks good to go. Unless Nick Bonino forgets his coat in his car at the airport and misses the plane, it’ll be the same lineup tonight.
Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett are clearly both playing hurt – don’t lie to us Hartley. Deryk Engelland will not be suspended, which is fantastic news for the Canucks. He’s a waste of space out there. Kris Russell hasn’t broken down yet from blocking a million shots so he’ll once again be a huge role player at home. As for goaltending, Jonas Hiller removed himself from last game so Karri Ramo may start, but who knows? 

REASONS TO WATCH THIS PLAYOFF GAME

  • Canucks upped their game from the first minute of Game 2 and they ended it with fireworks. Eddie Lack just about shut out the Flames and the team in front of him held Calgary to a minimal shot count. The ‘Nucks love playing in Cowtown so this should be fun!
  • Eddie Lack, as mentioned, is playing his best hockey. PERIOD. His GAA (1.51), Save percentage (.943)  and landed blocker shots (5) are a big reason the Canucks look as good as they do. His crunch time saves and unconscious second saves on rebounds are turning heads. It’s the LACK ATTACK!
  • The playoffs only seem to have raised the level of play from Bo Horvat, Ronalds Kenins, and Jannik Hansen. When they’ve been on the ice, you’ve noticed. Big hits, big faceoffs and the Canadian Cannon Bo Horvat’s blazing speed have taken over shifts and have resulted in 2 of the team’s 5 goals so far. IF…IF they go further past this round, no doubt this line is a big reason. Oh, and cap wise next year? Dirt cheap.
  • Vancouver’s PP still has some work to do, and quite frankly WIllie needs to see more of the Twins out there, 5v5 and PP. The Flames haven’t been able to contain them yet. Unless these games are so out of reach early, they want to play. They’re only two of the franchise’s best scorers ever, give em a bone Willie!
  • If anyone wants to challenge Derek Dorsett or Brad Richardson again, take out some life insurance – I hear critical illness is good to have. Those two held their own and then some and that punch from Dorsett to Engelland’s face was poetry. Playoff hockey at its finest.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

MY TAKE

Can’t believe it’s been two years since the Canucks have played in the post season. It sure was missed. As the boys take the ice tonight they’ll be gunning for the lead in the series and I think if they take it as convincingly as they did last game, I might shave a game off my Canucks in 6 prediction. I expect the Horvat line to once again be integral but it’s the Richardson line that steps up this evening. Canucks continue the hurt, winning 4-2.

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