Pre-Game Talk: GAME #20 - Canucks vs. Kings

[ProstheticConscience]

**** game. Refs were blind, team defense is non-existent, from their blue line in it's a complete free for all, goalie wasn't superhuman enough to compensate for idiotic play in front of him, coaching staff looks like they've run out of ideas...

This is a recording.

--------------------------------

--Sedin line the only consistent offensive threat.
--Kesler's not playing defense. Playing lazy, grouchy, frustrated hockey. Dragging his line down like an anchor.
--Higgins and Hansen had some decent moments.
--Booth/Shredder/Raymond is a line that needs to stay together. All three are starting to look good together. You can tell it's an obvious work in progress, but there's definite improvement going on.
--4th line was godawful. Lappy was horrific. Kassian wasn't much better. He actually needs quality linemates to work with, and Lappy and Weise aren't them.

--Defense is such a ****ing mess it's just not funny. We're actually at the point of having real, serious discussion of having Barker in the lineup. Cam freakin' Barker. An AHL washout. Who MG signed. *deep sigh* Entire defensive scheme and breakouts clearly need to be redesigned from the ground up. Every team in the league seems to now have a blueprint for killing the Canucks in their own end, and the coaching staff HAS to respond with something else. Sick and tired of seeing the same thing for a year. Blocked clears, missed checks, giveaways...enough already, guys.

--If we need our goalies to be absolutely bulletproof to beat the Coyotes for ****'s sake, we're in deep ****.

Ugh.

 

[Pip]

This team is a pretender, not a contender.

Unless certain changes are made, do any of you honestly see them going through teams like Chicago or Anaheim?

 

[Jyrki]

How about scratching Kesler?

 

[Pip]

How about scratching Kassian?

Sure

 

[Kirk Mclean]

One of the worst games I've ever been to. The puck movement from the D to the forwards has to get a lot better if the team wants to win any more games at all, never mind winning a playoff round. Decision making is so poor, these guys just aren't dialed in.

All of that stuff can be fixed in practice, because we know that the team is talented enough to succeed when they really focus and want to get better. What can't be fixed right now is the team's apparent lack of motivation and preparation. 2 years ago it felt like this team was always working towards something, and trying to get better all the time. It was like they really took pride in playing well and wanted to be the best team in the league. They just don't seem to have it anymore, and I think a coaching change is at least worth a try. If that doesn't work, then I guess this team just is what it is, as the sullen one would say.

I still really believe in the talent on this team, but they have got to change the way they approach the game on the ice. I basically think they need a fresh start with a new voice.

 

[Trelane]

Oh, and speaking of refs, who was the nincompoop that first thought 2 would be a good idea?

As every hockey watching infant knows whether a penalty is assessed is a function of reputation of doer/receiver, time elapsed, score, decibel of fans whining, previous penalties assessed/missed, perceived injustice and countless other variables all interpreted as is momentarily convenient.

Whatever objectivity the system once had has been fudged by having two individuals make calls. Inconsistency is inevitable when two beings attempt to apply the above. Dump one, save 25% of much needed ref commandeered ice, make goal calls reviewable, give linesmen consultation powers for penalties, and return much needed sanity to players, coaches and fans alike. The consistency will come from teams knowing the style of each referee.

 

[SighReally]

Some of these posts... especially that one where apparently "Kesler isn't playing Selke defense anymore"

Refs were terrible, defense was terrible, forward lines were sloppy except for the Sedin line who are rolling right now. Everyone needs to chill out and take a step back; teams go on a bad stretch at times. We're not on a 8 game losing streak, we're at a 2 game losing streak, both of which had questionable reffing that may or may not have factored in.

Though Kassian in particular was pretty bad today, turning over the puck in his own zone plenty of times in the third. Yote's forecheck killed us and Smith singlehandedly killed our forecheck at least until the Sedins came on. Feel that A.V. needs to do a better job of adjusting to other teams' strategies, especially against team like Phoenix.

 

[Wizeman*]

**** game. Refs were blind, team defense is non-existent, from their blue line in it's a complete free for all, goalie wasn't superhuman enough to compensate for idiotic play in front of him, coaching staff looks like they've run out of ideas...

This is a recording.

--------------------------------

--Sedin line the only consistent offensive threat.
--Kesler's not playing defense. Playing lazy, grouchy, frustrated hockey. Dragging his line down like an anchor.
--Higgins and Hansen had some decent moments.
--Booth/Shredder/Raymond is a line that needs to stay together. All three are starting to look good together. You can tell it's an obvious work in progress, but there's definite improvement going on.
--4th line was godawful. Lappy was horrific. Kassian wasn't much better. He actually needs quality linemates to work with, and Lappy and Weise aren't them.

--Defense is such a ****ing mess it's just not funny. We're actually at the point of having real, serious discussion of having Barker in the lineup. Cam freakin' Barker. An AHL washout. Who MG signed. *deep sigh* Entire defensive scheme and breakouts clearly need to be redesigned from the ground up. Every team in the league seems to now have a blueprint for killing the Canucks in their own end, and the coaching staff HAS to respond with something else. Sick and tired of seeing the same thing for a year. Blocked clears, missed checks, giveaways...enough already, guys.

--If we need our goalies to be absolutely bulletproof to beat the Coyotes for ****'s sake, we're in deep ****.

Ugh.

I highlighted our lowlights.

I think the players are no longer buying into the coaching system . The team has evolved but the coaching has not. We need to move to a flow system, not this trap system of never allowing any shots so our goalies get ice cold THEN face a quality shot.

in other words, we should try to run and gun some more , and back check more . Shorter shifts up tempo always trying to create open ice.

 

[vanuck]

How about scratching Kesler?

Or how about not giving him as many minutes right from the get go? AV just can't help himself. Schroeder has shown well in his own end, why not give him more ice time and shelter Kesler a bit until he finds his form again?

 

[Wizeman*]

Just curious, why doesn't the system now allow for creativity?

I dont know. Its a 5 year old system and its outdated. AV has failed to change with the times.

I also think other teams have changed and improved.

 

[Wizeman*]

Or how about not giving him as many minutes right from the get go? AV just can't help himself. Schroeder has shown well in his own end, why not give him more ice time and shelter Kesler a bit until he finds his form again?

Agreed. Good post.

 

[cotillion]

No Bieksa, No Wins

 

[Karter]

No Kryptonite Kev = Loss

 

[Pip]

No Ebbett = Subpar team

 

[Pip]

I wish we had smarter posters. Your post is pedantic and dull.

made me think of





** I do agree with what you're saying though**

 

[timw33]

I miss the 10-11 team.

Letting Ehrhoff walk was the biggest mistake MG has ever made.

 

[campbell_soup]

What I miss most was how fast and exciting to watch the Canucks were. They scored at will that year and were so dominant off the rush and on the PP. Now I do other things with the game on in the background.

 

[Orca Smash]

However, say what you want to about defensive breakdowns, the third goal he needs to make that save. .

Wait you said sunday when me and you were discussing your critical views of schneider every game, and your defense of roberto every game, you explained that deflections and defensive breakdowns cannot be placed on luongo when he gives up those goals because he is not getting beat clean like schneider, now your saying defensive breakdowns are no excuse for schneider.

And I quote

"Originally Posted by Hammer79
Schneider has been committing more unforced errors. I don't jump on Schneider for deflections and blown coverage goals. I get mad when he lets in clean shots from hard angles, or makes unforced errors, which he has been doing a lot of lately. Only the 6th goal tonight fits that definition."

I agree he should have maybe had that 3rd goal after initially getting a good peice of it but your bias and double standard continues to confuses me.

I think its about time the team realizes they cannot depend on roberto and schneider to bail them out all the time when the D breaks down like what happened last year during regular season. This might actually be a good thing, we have been playing sloppy defensive zone hockey for 2 years now and i think roberto and schneider carried this team alot last season.

 

[timw33]

What I miss most was how fast and exciting to watch the Canucks were. They scored at will that year and were so dominant off the rush and on the PP. Now I do other things with the game on in the background.

Ehrhoff was key to our rush game and PP. Such a shame. I have no idea why we didn't just give him the 8-10 year deal to keep the cap hit low for the 4-6 good years left on his career. Do not understand one bit.

 

[WonderTwinsUnite]

Ehrhoff was key to our rush game and PP. Such a shame. I have no idea why we didn't just give him the 8-10 year deal to keep the cap hit low for the 4-6 good years left on his career. Do not understand one bit.

Gills's ego/business plan. I'm sure they could have wrestled him down to 7-8 years at a cap hit comparable to Garrison/Bieksa/Hamhuis.

 

[Bleach Clean]

I miss the 10-11 team.

Letting Ehrhoff walk was the biggest mistake MG has ever made.

In the war that is the playoffs, I'm much more inclined to have Garrison in the line-up than the soft as butter Ehrhoff. He made me go from really liking his offense in the regular season to hating all aspects of his game in the playoffs. Yes, the bum shoulder had something to do with it, but I'm quite good not having him here anymore regardless.

 

[LiveeviL]

I dont know. Its a 5 year old system and its outdated. AV has failed to change with the times.

I also think other teams have changed and improved.

I really do not buy into hockey systems being outdated just like that. Of course, even in chess there are trends in openings, but for example "The Queen's gambit" is never outdated as such.

 

[Hammer79]

Wait you said sunday when me and you were discussing your critical views of schneider every game, and your defense of roberto every game, you explained that deflections and defensive breakdowns cannot be placed on luongo when he gives up those goals because he is not getting beat clean like schneider, now your saying defensive breakdowns are no excuse for schneider.

And I quote

"Originally Posted by Hammer79
Schneider has been committing more unforced errors. I don't jump on Schneider for deflections and blown coverage goals. I get mad when he lets in clean shots from hard angles, or makes unforced errors, which he has been doing a lot of lately. Only the 6th goal tonight fits that definition."

I agree he should have maybe had that 3rd goal after initially getting a good peice of it but your bias and double standard continues to confuses me.

I think its about time the team realizes they cannot depend on roberto and schneider to bail them out all the time when the D breaks down like what happened last year during regular season. This might actually be a good thing, we have been playing sloppy defensive zone hockey for 2 years now and i think roberto and schneider carried this team alot last season.

There's a difference between saves you need to make, and being solely at fault for the goal against. If coverage is blown, or there's a deflection on the shot, then there is blame to spread around. Was Schneider the main reason they lost to Phoenix? No, it looked like a tired team in front of him. Could he have stolen a point by making a save on the third goal? Yes.

There wasn't any last night that you could solely blame him on, but that said, the 3rd goal was stoppable. He didn't make the save, and clearly even he was frustrated with his results lately. 5-4-1 2.72 and .908 isn't the start he was looking for this season.

If he was on his game like he was for most of last season, guaranteed he makes that save. On a good night he would have stoned Chip on that backhand roofer too. Lately though, he's been getting exposed short-side and on backhanders. For someone that usually plays at a high caliber, I thought the 3rd goal was the save he needs to make. Maybe an 'average' goalie doesn't, but he holds himself to a higher standard.

Schneider wasn't solely to blame, the skaters blew their coverage for sure, but he made a mistake on that play. He thought he had his 5 hole covered but he didn't.

Same for Luongo, he needed to make the save on the 6th goal to keep it a 2 goal game, and he wasn't happy with his performance. There were plenty of deflections and weird bounces in that Detroit game, and I thought that the 6th goal was the only one that was completely on him, although there was plenty of 'partial blame' to spread around in that game and Luongo is no exception.

 

[me2]

I miss the 10-11 team.

Letting Ehrhoff walk was the biggest mistake MG has ever made.

Watching defensive dman try and transform in pmds was depressing tonight. Alberts should never be forced into that role, right side - yuk. Things areem being asked of a defense that isn't suited for it, even Tanev was look bad trying to carry the puck or make passes work.

 

[slappipappi]

The Canucks goal differential is just +2.

If that doesn't improve, the Canucks record will continue to fall.