GDT: WCSF GM01 | Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers | Wed. May 8th | 7pm PST | SNP/CBC | In Arturs We Trust

[TruGr1t]

No issue with the Wednesday start (and thank God we got Cuthbert). Gives us some time to get healthy and that's almost too long between series for Edmonton.

 

[supercanuck]

First period is going to be HUGE!!! Oilers will undoubtedly be rusty. We will have the home crowd for a boost. If we can come out and put in a couple of easy ones past Skinner, that could set the tone for the rest of the series. Maybe the Oilers will just completely discombobulate like the beginning of the season.

 

[nucks88]

If McDavid wants to skate through the neutral zone, Zadorov will meet him at the blueline

We just have to hope the Refs call a fair game both ways and not give him the “Superstar” no touchy rule or we are boned……

 

[alternate]

I hope Petey has used this break to trek deep into the Coastal Mountains in search of an ancient sacred cave and hot springs where he can spend 48 hours in a deep meditative state fighting the failures or past and future lives. And if he can do so while in the Jean Claude Van Damm pose, all the better.

 

[Canucks LB]

Cuthbert!!!

 

[Bankerguy]

i thought the series was going to start on Tuesday. The fact its Wednesday is huge.
One extra day of rest for the players and strategy prep for the coaches very important. Van is more banged up than the Oilers so every day of rest actually counts.

 

[racerjoe]

I think having the games start on Wednesday is huge for us. I think we are the team that could use that extra day.

I think this series is really hard to predict. If both teams are close to healthy I would give us the edge, but losing Demko is a huge blow. The system and team defense is going to be really tested. Have to play discipline and stop the speed and I think we can do it. Don't and we will get walked easily.

 

[Vector]

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Not surprising that they haven't changed anything.

Hopefully the Pettersson line can get going. Underrated part of the problem with Petey is that both his regular linemates posted goose eggs across the board in the 1st round. Was it really any wonder that Petey suddenly factored in on the game winning goal when he got a shift with Boeser and Suter?

(I do think something is ailing him, too - but his linemates need to carry some weight)

 

[Vector]

 

[supercanuck]

If McDavid wants to skate through the neutral zone, Zadorov will meet him at the blueline

Longest suspension in NHL history (even if it was a clean hit).

 

[TruGr1t]

Mikheyev on Pettersson's line, it's fine:

 

[canuckking1]

Why is Tocchet so reluctant to make any kind of changes. I think Lindholm up in the Top 6 and Blueger back with Joshua-Garland should be a no brainer

 

[Vector]

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Longest suspension in NHL history (even if it was a clean hit).

You just never know.

"Dirty hit", longest suspension in SCF history

"Clean" hit that was talked about for years in a positive way, no penalty.

 

[canucksfan]

To me, this series is a tossup slightly favoring the Canucks. Canucks matchup really well against the Oilers.

 

[Vector]

 

[Vector]

 

[Bgav]

Cory Perry?

 

[Nucker101]

If I’m Tocchet I load up the top 6 at home with last change at then go strong down the middle in Edmonton

 

[I am toxic]

Why is Tocchet so reluctant to make any kind of changes. I think Lindholm up in the Top 6 and Blueger back with Joshua-Garland should be a no brainer

Because all season Tocchet has talked about sticking to the system/falling back in the system, so that when things don't go the Canucks way, when bounces don't go the Canucks way, the team maintains structure.

Have people really forgotten what structureless Travis Green hockey looked like?

The only reason Preds held on for 6 games was because Saros stood on his head. And that is with losing a Vezina nominated goalie after the first game.

The criticisms of Tocchet - and Petterson, who is badly injured- is mind numbing.

My mind is numb. Can anyone tell?

 

[Bleach Clean]

Why is Tocchet so reluctant to make any kind of changes. I think Lindholm up in the Top 6 and Blueger back with Joshua-Garland should be a no brainer

It's the right call. The first objective has to be stabilize the Oiler attack. That means either Miller or Lindholm out on the ice every time McDavid is there.

As good as the Joshua-Blueger-Garland had been, it lacked scoring up the middle. Lindholm does that for them.

 

[SelltheTeamFrancesco]

I don’t really understand the talk about the Oilers having better depth. They really rely on 5 guys for a big bulk of their offence McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH, Bouchard and Hyman. Also McDavid and Draisaitl both had only 3 point at even strength against the Kings.

 

[DFAC]

Because all season Tocchet has talked about sticking to the system/falling back in the system, so that when things don't go the Canucks way, when bounces don't go the Canucks way, the team maintains structure.

Have people really forgotten what structureless Travis Green hockey looked like?

The only reason Preds held on for 6 games was because Saros stood on his head. And that is with losing a Vezina nominated goalie after the first game.

The criticisms of Tocchet - and Petterson, who is badly injured- is mind numbing.

My mind is numb. Can anyone tell?

Is this confirmed or are you just speculating? Big difference

 

[supercanuck]

Target Ekholm on every shift like how the Preds targeted Hughes. Without Ekholm that D is in shambles.