Whats wrong with the Canucks & Feb Plays

[powerz]

35-40 -10.2*

Lost my last play on Friday still determined at to get back to at least zero here at the rx.

For most of Janurary I was inputting plays at the pick exchange for tracking purposes over there i am now 14-8 +5* it's all documented so you can check it out.

I got the idea the other day the best way to punch myself out of this whole would be to track the Canucks through FEB.

They have 10 games remaining and through out the month will be OTR starting Feb 10th. Here is their schedule and the previous results against said teams.

<TABLE class=data cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2><TBODY><TR><TD class=datacell>2/7/09 Sat
</TD><TD class=datacell>Chicago </TD><TD class=datacell>L 1-3 12/20/08</TD><TD class=datacell>L/U</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>2/10/09 Tue</TD><TD class=datacell>@St. Louis </TD><TD class=datacell>L 4-6 1/9/09</TD><TD class=datacell>L/O</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>2/12/09 Thu</TD><TD class=datacell>@Phoenix </TD><TD class=datacell>L 1-4 1/15/09</TD><TD class=datacell>L/U</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>2/13/09 Fri</TD><TD class=datacell>@Dallas </TD><TD class=datacell>L 2-3 1/4/09</TD><TD class=datacell>L/U</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>2/15/09 Sun</TD><TD class=datacell>Montreal </TD><TD class=datacell>W 4-0 1/16/07</TD><TD class=datacell>W/U</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>2/17/09 Tue</TD><TD class=datacell>@Calgary </TD><TD class=datacell>L 1-3 11/29/08</TD><TD class=datacell>L/U</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>2/19/09 Thu</TD><TD class=datacell>@Ottawa </TD><TD class=datacell>W 3-0 12/28/08</TD><TD class=datacell>W/U</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>2/21/09 Sat</TD><TD class=datacell>@Toronto </TD><TD class=datacell>W 4-2 11/15/08</TD><TD class=datacell>W/O</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>2/24/09 Tue</TD><TD class=datacell>@Montreal </TD><TD class=datacell>W 4-0 1/16/07</TD><TD class=datacell>W/U</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>2/27/09 Fri</TD><TD class=datacell>Tampa Bay </TD><TD class=datacell>L 3-4 1/31/08</TD><TD class=datacell>L/O</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Last night the Canucks won on home ice for the first time in 9 games despite playing well in their last 4 games they still had not registered a win. I am not going to predict that they are out of the woods yet but I can see their game and confidence coming back and a road trip maybe a good thing.

Here's what is wrong with Vancouver for those who are wondering.

1. Luongo Injury: Bobby lou's injury had a bigger impact on the team than originally perceived. Curtis Sanford although a nice guy was not an everyday tender, Corey Schenider is not ready for prime time & Labarrera was a nice addition but after some initial success with Vancouver displayed his warts quickly.

So Vancouver went from a team that could pressure forward knowing they had Luongo back there to make the big stop - to having a turnstile of goalies that were inconsistent ahas clearly wreaked havoc and as a result the team had to play more defensive.

2. Luongo Return: Off his first serious injury we were all unsure of how he would respond. What we did know was that Luongo never starts strong compare his October record to his November record the past two seasons in VCR. So Ideally in the next 4-5 games his game should totally fall back into sync, look for him to post strong numbers in the second half of the month. Currently he is still not 100% in net, I don't think it is a lingering injury but just getting the rust off. The signs are there though as last night he made some Luongo type saves to start the game & keep VCr from digging an early hole but at the same time was caught out of position a few times as well.

3. The Penalties & the Kill: Vancouver has a bad rep in the league for taking penalties we have the number one minor PM leader and seem to take some really bad timed penalties. Things go hand in hand here you take bad penalties you get a bad rep the officials watch you a little closer, you take more penalties. Early on the Canucks took penalties b/c of aggression, lately penalties have been b/c of being out of position or being lazy with the stick ie: bad penalties. How many times have you heard bad penalties are the toughest to kill? Well that is definately the case as we have allowed somewhere around 45% PP goals in Jan to the opposition twice recently losing games in OT b/c of a guy in the box.

So typically an uneven balance of calls against, too many bad penalties & Shaky goaltending (see pts 1&2) have lead to a horrible stretch.

4. Sundin: When the Canucks finally got Matts to VCR there was some initial euphoria, but most of the experts cautioned us that Sundin would struggle for at least 10 games to get his legs. Well they are right almost to the Game. Sundin has been an albatross for the Canucks for a couple of reasons.

• The team sagged when he arrived - the saviour was here
• He was not ready for the NHL speed and by inserting him into the line up we were scratching a healthy more productive body
• By being a step behind he took some Bad penalties at exactly the wrong time in games.

I think Sundin has turned the corner he gets better every game & he played his best game last night - no penalties - 2 points a goal and an assist - and won 16/19 faceoffs!

5. The Defencemen : This one is tought to figure out on paper we have one of the best starting 6 of anyone in the West. Our top 2 is not the best - nor our top 4 - but our top 6 may just be & when 7 & 8 come in we dont drop off to far. The problem is they are not moving the puck out very well, they look panicky when they get the puck on their stick and dont seem a 100%. Early on Willie Mitchell was one of the best D-men in the league now he is back to normal - solid but not outstanding, same with Ohlund - Salo has just returned from injury and is coming around - But Beiska, Edler & Shane Obrien games' have all deserted them I think alot of it had to do with the goalie rotation we went through and that and the extra pressure put on them with out Salo being in the line up has hurt their games.

Perhaps with the return of Salo and Luongo the guys will be able to relax and play better. Although Shane Obrien really screwed up here the other day in the local media. Stating the Coach & GM wanted him to fight to be in the line up. Since then he has retracted his statements and appologised and the word on that meeting was that he was to play more physical like he did early on the year. Appareantly O'brien has not been tending to his diet regeim as well as his excercise plan, the result of that was showing up on the ice so he is in the pressbox. When that was explained to him he took it the wrong way and poped off.

So those are my 5 points as to why the Canucks took a big dump in January. Pretty simple really - Their Stars were not their best players in fact they were liabilites - Their defence and goaltending suffered & as a result they dropped from 6th in scoring to 13th. As their confidence eroded they took too many bad penalities and then their other weaknesses got exposed.

Like I said they are not out of the woods yet - They have one game left in their home stand against Chicago none-the-less. Chicago is a perfect 10-0 vs canadian teams this year. Tough test for them for sure I will be back Saturday with a play.

powerz

 

[rnorris1]

Luongo seems to be at a crossroads. He still carries the rep as one of the best, but seemed, I don't want to say disinterested, but unfocussed when I managed to see him play over the last year. Between the deal last year with his wife (fans got on him pretty good for that) and now the rumbling that he might be injury prone, the Canucks need him to go into full stud mode asap.

Granted I don't cheer for his team, but I'd hate to see him go the route of Khabibulin where he spends the bulk of his career trying to get back to where he was.

Key with Vancouver (for me) is Luongo. If you have a guy who can literally steal a game for you, it changes everything. How many games for FLA did he walk away with where he should have been 1st AND 2nd star.

(This is why I think Detroit is a paper tiger this year. Still a top tier team in points, but poised for a 1st round knockout)

 

[PassTheBuck]

I'm glad you put Luongo at the top of your list. With the losing streak, a lot of people are fixated on Sundin as the predominant reason. While he has struggled, there are a lot of nights where the play of Luongo is indistinguishable from say... Yann Danis.

Great read

 

[powerz]

2 plays tonight:

Leafs O6 -1.20*

Tampa ml +1.93*

 

[TheBud]

the play of Luongo is indistinguishable from say... Yann Danis.

I'd say that's giving Lou too much credit, Danis has been insane lately...

What's wrong with the Canucks... No Leadership... No Character... you can't plug and play anyone (Sundin) into a team like that and expect them to win. Players more times than not will tell you after an extended injury your just not the same until next season. Statistics will even tell you that...

Last night we finally seen leadership on the team, the win wasn't pretty but at leaste someone stepped up, Mats will produce but it could be another month before he's in top form.. Luongo too... Canucks fans just better hope they can string a few together before the trade deadline and stay in playoff contention. If they do, they'll be just fine, Mats will score and those around him will too, other lines will feed off that, Luongo will be in strong form and all the Nucks fans will be thinking Cup again...Fickle bastards they are....

 

[powerz]

35-42 -12.4*

dropped both plays last night as Toronto couldnt muster a goal and Tampa Bay looses in OT. Thank good ness for the betjam contest thanks guys!

One play for today - probably see the number freak on this one....

Dallas ML in regulation 3* to win 2.5*


gl powerz

 

[powerz]

Holy sh!t in free fall

Habs ML +1.1

Pitt U5.5 +1.05

Preds ML .5* +165

 

[Bushay]

Good Luck with your plays.

 

[powerz]

Thanks bushay...

Okay stopped the bleeding and actually on a two game winning streak after dropping 4 in row.

BIG CARD TODAY:

FLA +1.5 3.5 / 2.0*
FLA ML 1 / 1.7*

LAK +1.5 3.7 / 2.0*
LAK ML 1 / 1.7*

NYI ML 1 / 1.25*

CANES ML 1 / 1.1 *


I will have a play later on the Canucks game, lets hope I am not down 25* by the time the puck drops at GM place.

 

[powerz]

Chicago is the midst of a long Road trip but will head home for a sleep in their own beds after tonights games. Just listened to a pregame Interview with Duncan Keith and referenced that.

Chicago has won every game vs Cdn teams this year 10-0

The under is 4-0 the last 3 years in Vcr between these two.

This line is way off gotta wonder why? Based on power ratings the Hawks should be -180ish


canucks have three straight overs going and the hawks have 3 out 4 games go over.

Vancouver is full point gathering mode right now and needs the points so look for a concerted effort.


Someting to note the hawks puck line has gone from +225 to +240, yet no ML moves = 1 goal game for sure

Over 5.5 1.1 / 1*
Yes to OT 1 / 2.95*

gl

 

[powerz]

the florida play at +1.5 is sitting at 41-15 YTD.....and it looses b/c Fla cant score on 5-3 and a 5 minute power play at the end of the game instead they give up an EN'er....

Blast, on the upside though the Canucks absolutely smoke the blackhawks and seem back in form and head out for a big roadie. Some nice bonding time and with the team on the upswing.

Canucks power play was amazing tonight and the sedins looked better than they have in recent games. Demetria is still a soft perimeter player, Trade bait at the deadline?

down .7* for the day had florida not allowed the EN'r would have been a 5* swing, was in every game tonight so it was exciting.

 

[powerz]

profile play:

Pens +1.5 2.4 / 1.0*
Pens ML 1. / 1.2 *

back in a bit with record

41-48 -15.25*

 

[powerz]

never go against the redwings in prime time....

ATL ML +1.4*

 

[Coaster]

Been where you are..........hang in.
You have the Nucks turn around right on............so far.
GL

 

[powerz]

41-51 -19.65

Habs/Flames U5.5 +105 2*

going back to the totals to bring myself out of this....

 

[powerz]

Canucks have 4 in a row

2 out of 4 problems fixed ..... just need luongo to round into form and we maybe good for a playoff round or two in the west.

RPM line has been all world since being put together....

Almost have my hockey program fixed only 4 units left until I hit my -25 limit should be back in the next day or two with some plays.


Tough test for Vancouver tmr playing in Dallas on a B2B 3/4 losing an hour on the travel as well.


Go canucks

 

[1sob]

imo van will lose tmr. GL P

 

[PassTheBuck]

Labarberra prolly starts tomorrow. I think this game is probably one that could go either way. I don't see any value for sides, with Van at +145 and red hot Dallas at -165. Should be fun to watch though....

So many people thought Vancouver were done a few weeks ago....

 

[powerz]

While I am working out my plays here are my leans tonight:

Det ML
New Jersy ML
Buffalo ML
Montreal ML

Vancouver U5.5


p.

 

[powerz]

Typical 4-1 on leans - chuckle - on to something tho for sure