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Guest8149
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 Posted - 03/15/2011 : 19:58:26
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With 11 games left (as of March 15th), and an 8 point lead over the 2nd place team overall, the Canucks can coast to being the President's Trophy winner, thus having home ice advantage for the playoffs.
I'm not suggesting that the Canucks will take it easy for the final 11 games of the regular season, but they can afford to rest a few players (i.e. Loungo), and prepare themselves to be healthy and rested for the playoffs.
I think the Canucks are the favourites to win the cup this year, but they need to use the home stretch of the regular season to hone their skills and extend good game habits through to the playoffs.
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2011 : 20:40:57
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I was sort of hoping that the Canucks were not going to win the trophy this year, thus avoiding the Presidents Trophy Curse come playoff time, but it looks to be inevitable this year. A remarkable achievement this season, and certainly no one thought they would do it last September.
Yes, they seem to be doing well against everyone they play right now, Luongo is playing 2 out of every 3 games, the lines look relaxed on the ice...almost bored in some games, like there is not enough challenge.
I guess it could be worse  |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2011 : 21:15:52
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Curse smurse! I don't believe in that crap.
It's like saying Sami Salo is injury prone? I mean, sure he's a few injuries.......errrrrr, nevermind. |
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Oilearl
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
268 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2011 : 21:18:16
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| I think there will be challenges to come for the Canuucks and they should beware of being to comfortable or bored!! It's along summer when you are bounced early in the playoffs after finishing first. IMO they should be stepping it up! |
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FutureKesler
Rookie
Canada
122 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 07:04:10
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I would rather have the canucks finish on a high,rather then get into a slump. But yeah, the canucks can coast.
Kesler is the TRUE Nucks Captain. |
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Awesome One
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
505 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 08:10:16
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You know, if all comes together and Vancouver plays Calgary in the 1st round, I'm calling for a repeat of 2004.
Canucks won't win the cup, the Boston Bruins will!!
There was once a license plate in Toronto that abbreviated "Go Leafs" it read "Golfs". |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 12:06:55
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I think CGY as a first round opponent would be nearly as good as it could get for VAN, they have a 4-1 record against them this year so far. Last Saturday, in a "must win game" for CGY, even after spotting them a 2-0 lead in the first 3 minutes of the period in their own barn, VAN slowly chipped away and came out with a 4-3 win. CGY is not good enough to compete with VAN this year IMO.
The only team I'd rather face more in round 1 would be DAL, who VAN has positively owned this season. |
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Guest2712
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Posted - 03/16/2011 : 12:49:17
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or perhaps a match up with the Hawks, as they could easily fall to the 8th seed in this very tight conference. probably the last 1st round opponent that the 'Nucks would want.
if i were them i'd hope for Nashville. never been any playoff success with that franchise. |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 13:01:53
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Thats the problem with the west, there are a lot of teams that could finish 8th right now, CHI being one of them. I agree, they are the last team VAN wants to see in round 1.
NSH is a hard team to play against, they are very solid defensively. The Canucks have not had stellar success against them this year. You never know when Rinne is going to get really hot and burn you. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 13:58:45
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CGY is done. Done like disco. Clinging to a 1 point lead in 8th place and teams behind them within a few points with 2 games in hand?? Unlikely. Not a landslide, but unlikely.
Vancouver should not have any issue with Dallas, Phoenix, Calgary, or should Nashville or Ahaheim make it in. However, I am still not sold on Vancouver over Chicago, SJ, Detroit, or even LA. LA has been on fired and proving to themselves how good they really are. Penner is a fit almost from the game one and he could and most likely will be the doppleganger of Dustin Byfuglien if there is an LA/VAN series. Honestly, I am cheering for that one as I think it would be amazing hockey.
I am still not sold on the Canucks but part of me also says they are going to be very tough to beat.
It will come down to coaching and we all know that Washington and Vancouver have the worst coaches in the NHL |
Edited by - Beans15 on 03/16/2011 14:04:50 |
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Guest8149
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Posted - 03/16/2011 : 20:47:34
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| I'm going on record (which is pretty easy in an anonymous forum) predicting a Caps-Canucks final! (Despite the "bad coaching."). |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2011 : 10:11:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest8149
I'm going on record (which is pretty easy in an anonymous forum) predicting a Caps-Canucks final! (Despite the "bad coaching.").
C'mon, that can't happen, can it Beans? |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2011 : 11:28:49
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If that done fine a way to happen I believe I will be eating quite the significant amount of crow won't I???
Please excuse me while I plan the strategy on how I spin this unlikely situation in my favour if it does actually happen....... |
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Vancouver Can Coast 
