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Five Reasons to Believe that Vancouver will Defeat Chicago

Jimmy Ray Written by Jimmy Ray, Monday May 03 2010
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It is a very bold statement to make, I know.  But with everything, and I mean everything going Vancouvers way in game 1 of the series, it will be hard for the Blackhawks to gain back the momentum in the series.  Especially if the Canucks can again make the Madhouse on Madison into what was the Sadhouse Saturday night.

 

Reason One:  Revenge

I do remember last year, when the Canucks took game 1.  They had a 2-1 series lead and then lost the next 3 to let the Blackhawks advance.  But the difference this year is; Vancouver took game 1 in the United Center.  Not just that, but an utter blowout in playoff references. Every single line on the Canucks had a goal, plus a defenceman.  Every single player on the Canucks were ready to play, even Andrew Alberts, who has been an early liability scapegoat, played a relitively flawless "I didn't notice you which is a good thing" game.  On the other hand, every single Chicago player, minus Kane, played like it was preseason.  Kane even admitted post-game that "It seems like they've gotten a lot better from last year."  Gross understatement much?

 

Reason Two:  Special Teams

Many people will be quick to point out the Canucks' dismal penelty kill percentage against the LA Kings; a megre 61.5% over the series; 6 straight powerplay goals against.  But what doesn't get mentioned, was the Canucks' first penelty kill after those 6 in a row was in game 4 when Janik Hansen was in the box for high sticking late in the 2nd period.  The Canucks killed it off, and after that regained their confidence and not only came back to win that game after trailing into the 3rd, but they have won every single game since.  And since that penalty, including game 1 against Chicago, they have let in 2 goals for 19 penalties against, a killing rate of over 89%.  And they're powerplay aint too shabby either; 4 goals on 16 attempts, a scoring rate of 25%. 

 

Reason Three:  Team Toughness

When you have everyone chipping in for blocking shots, including the Sedins, you know that your team is dedicated itself to being tough in many aspects of the game.  You need to have players who will not only step up and fight, like Rypien will always do, but you also need players who will sacrifice the body; going into corners; making it tough for the opposing goaltender in front of the net; and of course blocking shots.  And Vancouver's team and fully bought into that system.  You see players like Burrows and Kesler on the bench in pain from blocking shots, Bernier and Raymond freezing the puck along the wall until an optimal play opens up, and even a regular season softie Wellwood getting into the dirty areas in and around the crease to score.  And this will only be compunded when Ryan Johnson comes back in this series from a broken foot he suffered blocking a shot in the regular season.  If Rypien is the pound for pound toughest fighter in the NHL, then Johnson is the pain for pain toughest shot blocking PK specialist in the NHL.

 

Reason Four:  Team Speed

One of the most dangerous plays in hockey; rushes.  Whether it is a breakaway, two on one, three on two, or any combination of such, when a team with speed has an advantage on the rush they are a threat.  And Vancouver has a great deal of skilled speedsters.  Apart from the Sedins, who like to finesse they're way into the zone, all throughout Vancouver's lineup are other players who love to use they're speed to enter the zone.  Kesler, Burrows, Raymond, Demitra, Hansen, Grabner, even Rypien.  Five times this season we have seen Burrows block a shot and take off on a breakaway to score a shorthanded goal.  Do not be surprised if that occures in this series as his 2nd goal in the playoffs, as it is his bread and butter.  And do not discount the defense getting in on the fun, as Vancouver's D is notoriously offensive and often chip in to the scoring.

 

Reson Five:  Clutch Goaltending

Luongo has had a rough patch since the Olympics; down the stretch he was virtually thrown under the bus on Vancouver's radio waves as fans wanted Raycroft to play more if Luongo kept up his streaky play.  But again, after that one penelty kill in game 4, he has been lights out for Vancouver.  Not invincible, but when he needs to make a save, he does.  Swatting the puck away from an empty net in game 1 overtime, stopping Frolov on a breakaway that would have put the game out of reach in what turned out to be a Canuck comeback in game 4; stopping Ryan Smyth on what would have been a 2-0 goal in another come from behind win in game 6; not letting Kane score on a breakaway which would have tied the game 1 at one goal each.  In the playoffs, you need your goaltender to be clutch.  And thus far in the playoffs, Luongo has shown that he can be. 

 

Does this mean Vancouver is invincible?  No, it does not.  But it does mean that Chicago has their hands full in a series where they are the upper seed and considered by Vegas to have the better odds making it to the cup.  The men in blue are a force to be reckoned with.


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5 comments


0 up down 0
TNMTNM, over 2 years ago said:

Hawks up 3-1, Canucks have their backs against the wall. It all ends Sunday!

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hockeyheidihockeyheidi, over 2 years ago said:

The Canucks can do it!

0 up down 0
TNMTNM, over 2 years ago said:

All the teams sell tickets early, they don't want to wait until the last minute. That is not counting their chickens, all the teams do it in every league during the playoffs, not just the NHL.

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Jimmy RayJimmy Ray, over 2 years ago said:

just trying to do my part to counter the overwhelming amount of blackhawk stories on here. and tbh, chicago are the ones counting their chickens by already selling tickets to the conference finals and stanley cup finals http://www.vividseats.com/nhl-hockey/blackhawks-playoff-tickets.html

0 up down 0
TNMTNM, over 2 years ago said:

Don't count your chickens until they hatch dude! The Blackhawks showed what they were made of in game 2. All game one did was to wake up a sleeping giant.