Have you ever slept through your alarm and been late for work? That appears to be what happened last night to the Vancouver Canucks. They sleep walked through the first period, played far too casual in the second, and then woke up in the third. The only Canuck who played with a pulse the first two periods was Aaron Rome, and he got kicked out of the game for it. Once the only player on Vancouver who was playing was gone, the Ducks built a big lead, and coasted in for the victory.
Luongo
I thought Lu played pretty good last night. He wasn't spectacular, but there was only really one bad goal on him and he made some real nice stops while he had a lifeless team in front of him. I think he was pulled more to shake the team up and give him a rest, then because he wasn't playing well. While his numbers won't be improving because of last night's game, I thought this was one of Lu's better games and he looks to me like he's back to all-star Lu and not weak goal Lu.
The first goal was not Lu's fault, Hamhuis and Bieksa played the puck like they were at Sunday shinny, rather than at an NHL game, which resulted in an easy turnover, and then as usual no one watched the slot, and the Ducks got an easy goal. The second goal was comical, three Canucks take the puck carrier, no one watches the guy on the boards and he walks in all alone and it's 2-0 ducks. Then without Rome in front to punish Perry, he gets three whacks at a puck and its 3-0. Nothing Lu could really do on any of those goals. The fourth goal however, he should have stopped. He was far too deep in the net and he got hand-cuffed by a high shot.
Rome
Last night I finally realized what Rome brings to this team and why they play so much better with him. He brings a pulse with him on every shift. Unlike most Canucks who seem to take the odd shift off, Rome brings it for 60 minutes every night, he never takes a shift off. Sure the goals have been great, but the reason Rome is so important to this team is his work ethic. He also makes the other team accountable. If they want to get to the front of the net, they have to go through Rome to do it. He'll hack, whack, cross-check you all night if you want to play in front of the net. He makes his opponents earn their ice. If we had 3 more Rome's to play with Edler and Salo, it would be the perfect D.
Hansen
Hansen seems to settling in with the twins and is playing some amazing hockey right now. He is getting to the net on every shift and getting rewarded for it. I thought he was the best Canuck on the ice last night and was one of the few Canucks who played all 60 minutes. Another great game like he played last night, and I'll be forgetting he no longer hits.
The Hit
Well for the first time this season a Canuck may be facing a suspension. The heart and soul of the Canucks, Aaron Rome laid out Devante Smith-Pelly with a questionable hit. I don't have a problem with the actual "hit" on the play. Rome didn't charge him, he didn't leave his feet, the puck was there (not Rome fault Smith-Pelly can't accept a pass), and I don't think there was much of elbow on the hit, but more of a shoulder or bicep to the head.
I do however think we will see a suspension come out of this on these grounds. Rome targeted a player vulnerable position (Smith-Pelly wasn't looking). He made contact with the head, regardless if it was intentional. Rome is a repeat offender. The one saving grace for Rome is there was no injury on the play (I don't think Smith-Pelly missed a shift). If we judge the hit by these merits, I think Rome will be getting 2-4 games, although since Rome is a star now, he may just get a fine for the hit.
0-4 in Back-to-Back Games
One of the most concerning stats the Canucks have this year is they are 0-4 in back-to-backs. While most teams struggle with back-to-backs, last season the Canucks were fairly good at them. It isn't the fact they have lost all four that concerns me, it's the way they are losing them. In each game they have had no pulse, and no identity. It is almost like they don't care when they are playing. These games are valuable points and the Canucks need to start getting something out of these games before it is too late.
Closing Thoughts on the Road Trip
A 3-3 road trip isn't too bad, but what stings a little, is the fact it could have been a 5-1 or a 6-0 trip if the Canucks just played hard in each game for 60 minutes. The games they lost, they didn't show up for and those 6 points were just tossed in the trash, never to be recovered. The three they won they brought at least their "B" game and dominated their opponents. In my opinion the next ten games will tell how the season will go for the Canucks. If they bring a 60 minute effort each night, they will go 8-2 or 9-1 and be back atop the NW division. If they continue down the road of play hard one night, take the next night off, they will go 5-5, 6-4, or 4-6 and be fighting for their playoff lives the whole season.
Now is the time for the Canucks to step up and play. They no longer have the excuse of no pre-season to get in game shape and to knock off the rust. They are also as healthy as they as they will ever be with Raymond due back soon and no major injuries. Their goalie is out of his October funk now and looking ready to go. The Canucks are now out of excuses, now it's time to put up or shut up.
Canucks 3 Stars
1 Hansen
2 D. Sedin
3 Rome
Thanks for reading
Enjoy your day
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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