It was another grinding, sluggish, bore you to a coma Klaus Von Bulow could not induce kind of game, but the better team won. At least that's what the scoreboard said and the NHL standings before and after. Don't let the results fool you though many would not like to see the Predators in any fashion come the post season.
While the game was far from eventful, it did posess some classic highlights for two goals and the third even having its own measure drama. The Canucks dropped the first goal they never seemed to waver in play-at least that is how I heard it while driving. When I got hom, had my meal in front of me and sat down there was the highlights of the tying goal by Burrows- classic SSB.
The winner was another classic with Burrows anticipating the play and heading up the ice before Weber could realize that the play was about to shift. Shift it did, and with a perfect pass Burrows was off on breakaway where he deked out Rinne and roofed the puck. It was the kind of play that can kill a team like the Preds. A quick break with speed which leaves a team so dedicated to position and system (like the Preds) lost in transition.
It's a good thing for the Canucks to remember should these teams cross paths again in April or May.
The moment which no one could have called was the 'insurance goal of the game' TM when Aaron Rome made like Russ Howard and lifted the puck up over and down from 190 feet with perfect draw weight. Henrik Sedin was there to sweep if necessary but the calls from the other end of the ice were heard and Rome got the goal.
Now the speculation begins- who will the Canucks face in the first round now that they have the West all sewn up. Most of the speculation revolves around who don't the Canucks want to face in the first round and most people seem to say Nashville and Anaheim. Certainly no team is but these two aforementioned clubs pose the biggest threat, or do they?
The Canucks split with Chicago, Anaheim & Nashville went 2-1-1 with Detroit, 2-1-1 with San Jose, 4-0 against Dallas, and are 2-0-1 against LA. Obviously Dallas is an easy choice but simply put there are no easy options come the post season. Take your pick, have your wish, sacrifice what you will but as the season winds down this all becomes about the players andcoaches, they have to be prepared no matter who the opposition is. This year I feel more confident than ever before.
Have a great night.
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