Today marks the start of one of the greatest tournaments in all professional sports.
Sixteen teams will begin a Spring time journey affectionately known as "The Dance." It's a grueling adventure most players dreamed of embarking upon when they were bright-eyed kids growing up playing novice, pee-wee, minor and street hockey everywhere.
To complete the march will take dedication and determination and to finally grasp the Stanley Cup will take teamwork and tolerance. To rest waiting lips upon the Holy Grail and drink in all its shining glory will represent the ultimate sacrifice.
Before the Edmonton Oilers won their first Stanley Cup, they lost four straight games to the Champion New York Islanders in the previous seasons Cup finals. Wayne Gretzky told a story about walking by the Islanders dressing room after the Oilers lost and realizing in that one special moment what it would take to eventually win.
Instead of popping corks on champagne bottles and drinking from the Cup, the Islanders players were icing down injuries and hobbling around the room. Meanwhile, the Oilers players were unscathed and generally healthy as they boarded the bus. Gretzky knew Edmonton didn't pay the price needed to have their names forever etched on the silver mug.
The rest is history. Gretzky and Co. went on to win four of the next five Cups.
Tonight the Canucks will try and prove to themselves and Vancouver fans everywhere they've got the jam to contend in the backbreaking race to win 16 games.
Do the Canucks have what it takes? Will they hold up under the intense pressure? If Vancouver wants to move on past the Dallas Stars and beyond, here's my analysis on how they'll do it.
THE BUZZ
I call it the 'buzz.' It's the part of the game that's sometimes missing with the Canucks. I know it's missing because I've seen it with other teams. Nashville has it. Calgary has it and so does Minnesota. It's that rabid intensity and quick skating game that sometimes makes the Canucks look like they're just one step behind. It usually happens late in the game when Vancouver is clinging to a one goal lead, but it's common during other times in the game, too. It's almost like a lack of intensity. Maybe it's a lack of team speed. Not sure. But whatever it is, the Canucks will need to match the buzz of their opponents or they'll be skated out of the rink.
WONDER TWINS
The Sedin Twins had a breakout year in the regular season. They replaced Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison as the go-to line and they'll need to continue to produce in the post season. It won't be easy. They'll be roughed up, their space will be taken away and they'll be playing against the opponents top D. Daniel and Henrik will have to fight through the increased physical play and expose the defensemen who'll be running around trying to put the Twins through the glass. Enter Taylor Pyatt and messy goals in the slot.
DISCIPLINE
Hey Janny B...I know you're here, there and everywhere. That's fine. Just stop hooking players and start moving your feet, ok? That goes for every Vancouver player. The Canucks have the best penalty kill in the league, but that's also a product of taking far too many penalties. Of all the playoff teams, Vancouver leads the way with the most times shorthanded in the regular season (436). In comparison, the New Jersey Devils were a man short only 271 times. Enough said.
These are my top three. I know there are others: goaltending, secondary scoring and timely powerplay goals are key factors, too.
We're less than 12 hours away from the drop of the puck in game one and the official start of Towel Power. How are you feeling? Are you nervous? What are some of your keys to Canucks success against the Stars?
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