Post-Game Talk: Japadogs 2, Tortas 3 (SO): Randy Newman spins in his grave

[shortshorts]

The problem being; it didn't even look legal even if he did score.

 

[Outside99*]

Good:

Lu - Almost single handedly kept us in the game. Brilliant in the 2nd period. Unluck on the 2-2 goal, heavily screened and I thought not enough pressure by the forwards.

Kassian - Keeps on going, even playing an excellent defensive game.

Schroeder - I was upset with him when I tuned in (start of 2nd) as I think he missed a major defensive play near the net and lost his man early on in the 2nd (no, not the ones where Tanev lost his man). But did he ever play well after that. Speed, breaking up plays, a couple of nice set up passes, everything. No clue why he was benched with 5 to go and in OT.

Higgins-Burrows-Hansen - I thought this line worked well. Higgins looks so much better than 3 or 4 games ago, hitting, forechecking, outworking guys on the boards. Honey badger gonna honey badger and I thought Burrows did well as a centre. The problem is this isn't a "true" 2nd line. It's more of a 3rd line on a good team.

Ballard/Tanev - One bad missed read by Tanev but otherwise our best pairing by miles. Ballard even on the PP near the end - someone finally set Edler up for a one timer.

Weise - Good hustle. Perfect 4th liner once our line-up is full.

The Meh:

Sedins - couple of nice moments, didn't regularly keep it in the zone, more missed passes than I am used to. Look okay at the moment, not good.

The rest of the D - Still all look rusty.

Volpatti - decent hustle, could almost say he was good. I'd like to see him a little more involved, LA are a big team and we really need our bigger guys to out-work them along the boards. Could be a 'good' but didn't notice him much, might be a good thing.

Raymond - Good moments, Bad moments.

Manny - Meh meh meh. 4th line minutes, 62% on draws, i'll take it.

The Awful:

Lappy - must be injured. Or maybe he put on too much bulk? Looks slow and behind the play.

The PP - Oh dear god. Just ****ing shoot it from the point. Then bang at rebounds. No pass open? Shoot from the point. Sedinery ineffective? Shoot from the point

The benching of Schroeder and Weise 5 minutes before the end of the game, when our forwards were clearly tired, and they had both played excellent defence up until that point. W.T.F.

totally agree. burr's line was gassed at the end and lo and behold, the kings scored. terrible ice time mgmt.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

OK. You're still overreacting. A rookie playing in his 4th career game was "sat" with a one goal lead... sounds about right. I thought Schroeder got caught watching the puck in our end a few times tonight, I would have "sat" him too.

I agree, that is something you can justify.

I don't understand why he wasn't used in OT or in the Shootout.

Those are decisions you can't reasonably justify.

 

[CanadianPirate]

A complete joke that Schroeder was benchedate. Was arguably are best forward during the game. Wouldn't be surprised if Schroeder sits for Ebbet against Colorado, if that occurs I will punch a baby.

It could have something to do with his sore groin?

 

[craigcaulks*]

The problem being; it didn't even look legal even if he did score.

I'm not sure why you'd think that. Oh wait, you heard TSN tell you?

 

[Scurr]

I agree, that is something you can justify.

I don't understand why he wasn't used in OT or in the Shootout.

Those are decisions you can't reasonably justify.

Because he hadn't played for 10 minutes...

 

[Addison Rae]

To put this game into perspective, the Canucks were playing without two top 6 forwards so you can't really call it a statement game. It's like the Kings playing without Richards and Williams.

 

[Bleach Clean]

Clearly last seasons version of the Kings was better than last years version of the Canucks... and everyone else. They won the cup. They might still be better but like I said, I'd like to see a full lineup before I concede.

What is the differences in the versions?


You have Gagne being healthy for LA, + the continued progression of Clifford + King + Nolan + Voynov.


You have Garrison in for Salo, + the emergence of Kassian and Schroeder and the progression of Ballard and Tanev.


Is there enough on the Canucks's side to swing opinion either way? Speaking strictly from a player/personnel POV, the Kings should still be favoured no?

 

[craigcaulks*]

I agree, that is something you can justify.

I don't understand why he wasn't used in OT or in the Shootout.

Those are decisions you can't reasonably justify.

Considering he was a game time decision, maybe it shouldnt be so surprising.

 

[vanuck]

OK. You're still overreacting. A rookie playing in his 4th career game was "sat" with a one goal lead... sounds about right. I thought Schroeder got caught watching the puck in our end a few times tonight, I would have "sat" him too.

Don't know about overreaction, but when you're playing the 4th game in 6 nights it makes sense to use 4 lines when you're trying to pull out a win. Especially when he was probably our best faceoff man tonight too (7 for 11).

I think in the early going he was caught standing around a bit but as the game went on he did well.

 

[Addison Rae]

It could have something to do with his sore groin?

Maybe.

 

[shortshorts]

I'm not sure why you'd think that. Oh wait, you heard TSN tell you?

Nope? I've turned off my T.V and have been working on CV's since the game has ended.

Swing and a miss .

It looked like Burrows skated backwards if not directly laterally. It also looked like a lack of continuity. Which is similar to the travelling rule in Basketball.


Again, nice try.

 

[craigcaulks*]

Nope? I've turned off my T.V and have been working on CV's since the game has ended.

Swing and a miss .

It looked like Burrows skated backwards if not directly laterally. It also looked like a lack of continuity. Which is similar to the travelling rule in Basketball.


Again, nice try.

Basketball rules? Now this all makes sense.

 

[Scurr]

What is the differences in the versions?

It's 6 games in... we don't know yet. A 3rd line with Schroeder in the middle is infinitely more capable of secondary scoring than one with old man Pahlsson. Kassian adds size and grit to the top 6 forward group. Can they play those roles in the playoffs? I don't even know if they can do it in the regular season yet Garrison should be much better than last years version of Salo and he'll help with bigger forwards. Tanev and Ballard should be capable of eating up good matchups with they way they're playing. Schneider for a whole series. I think they are big improvements, lets at least wait until guys can settle into roles before we concede the cup to someone else.

 

[Virtanen2Horvat]

Kesler isn't on the Canucks website?

 

[shortshorts]

Basketball rules? Now this all makes sense.

Burrows literally stops and skates backwards (not that it matters in the rule book) before he shoots. Quick even looked to the ref to see if it was legal.

Didn't look legal at first or second glance. I'd have to look at shootout rules to clarify.

Point being, it's my analysis and not TSN's like you have implied.

 

[Bleach Clean]

It's 6 games in... we don't know yet. A 3rd line with Schroeder in the middle is infinitely more capable of secondary scoring than one with old man Pahlsson. Kassian adds size and grit to the top 6 forward group. Can they play those roles in the playoffs? I don't even know if they can do it in the regular season yet Garrison should be much better than last years version of Salo and he'll help with bigger forwards. Tanev and Ballard should be capable of eating up good matchups with they way they're playing. Schneider for a whole series. I think they are big improvements, lets at least wait until guys can settle into roles before we concede the cup to someone else.

It's not about conceding the cup. It's like people can't admit that a better team is better around here. A judgement made over the past few years, not just 6 games into the season.



Are Garrison, Kassian, Schroeder, Schneider vs Luongo really going to make that much of a significant impact where a dominant possession team in LA becomes dominated. Or even placed in a stalemate?

 

[AvantiCanada*]

So a few days ago in another thread I proposed trading Bieksa in the offseason rather than trading/buying out Keith Ballard.

So with Ballard playing outstanding again tonight, I just can't see us moving him, Bieksa has been Mr.Inconsistentcy every season expect 10/11. Plus he would garner us more in return.

For the record I thought he played better tonight but anyone with me? gotta keep Ballard.

I would certainly entertain the thought if we could radically increase the toughness on the back end. As it stands we don't have anyone who intimidates on the back end; plays with consistent physicality or wears the opposition down. As of now, our best defender at this is Bieksa, despite his deficiencies.

 

[Scurr]

It's not about conceding the cup. It's like people can't admit that a better team is better around here. A judgement made over the past few years, not just 6 games into the season.



Are Garrison, Kassian, Schroeder, Schneider vs Luongo really going to make that much of a significant impact where a dominant possession team in LA becomes dominated. Or even placed in a stalemate?

The Kings have been junk for most of the past few years.

Our possession numbers from the LA series are good, we just didn't score. The gap was never nearly as wide as you're making it out to be. We need our core players to play better and the additions to add something. Both are possible if not likely.

 

[AvantiCanada*]

But why? If LA is known to be the better team, and they are clearly outplaying VAN in the current game, why would fans be as upset blowing that same lead?

parity being the way it is in the NHL it should be very difficult to come back from two goals down, especially when the goalie played as well as he did.

 

[VeteranNetPresence]

i don't think missing booth is that big of a deal considering he basically skates up the wing like raymond does and shoots right at the goalie, all while being a disaster in his own end

 

[Johnny Tightlips]

Did anyone else notice Kassian backing up Daniel when he was mixed up with the the kings player. Good to see.

 

[KISSland]

So this is what it feels like to be the oilers

 

[Bleach Clean]

The Kings have been junk for most of the past few years.

Our possession numbers from the LA series are good, we just didn't score. The gap was never nearly as wide as you're making it out to be. We need our core players to play better and the additions to add something. Both are possible if not likely.

The Kings have been "junk" from a wins/losses POV, not from a possession numbers POV.


I guess what I'm saying is that perhaps we need to not let the accolades colour the perception of how good this team really is. While putting up those seasons, the Canucks still had other teams leapfrog them in terms of possession.


I'm making the gap seem wide?

Did anyone else notice Kassian backing up Daniel when he was mixed up with the the kings player. Good to see.

I didn't see this, but you're not the first to state this. Nothing but good if true.

 

[Scurr]

I'm making the gap seem wide?

I think so. If you don't think upgrading four plus positions is going to narrow the gap then the gap must be pretty big.

It's too early to tell how good a possession team this can be. If you don't defend well (We haven't) and you don't move the puck well (we haven't done that either) or support the puck well (nope) then you aren't going to have the puck much. I think getting our defence sorted out and our best defensive forward back will help. Booth should help too. Schroeder will get better match ups, the Sedins are bound to quit sucking, etc, etc.

If Kassian was sucking and the twins were playing well the outlook wouldn't be as good imo. The twins will rebound, they always do.