Friday April 17 - Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames - 7:00 p.m. - CBC, TSN1040
Flames lead best-of-seven series 1-0
Here's a cheery stat to start off our game-day blog:
Something's gotta give. I think it will.
Jonas Hiller may have stopped 29 shots and been named first star on Wednesday night, but I thought he looked beatable. There were plenty of juicy rebounds to be had, and pucks floating around in the crease. The Canucks just need to be a little hungrier—go to the net a little bit harder.
Including Wednesday's game, Vancouver has now scored 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 goals in their five meetings with Calgary this season so, literally anything's possible tonight.
The Canucks can take consolation in the fact that they're one of five teams to have dropped their playoff opener at home this year, along with St. Louis, Nashville, Tampa Bay and Washington. Home-ice advantage ain't what it used to be.
The Canucks finished the season ranked fifth at 24-14-3 on the road, earning 51 of their 101 points away from Rogers Arena. The Flames boast about their road record also but they finished 16th overall away from home with a record of 22-17-2 for 46 points.
Also worth noting—four of eight teams that won Game 1 last season ended up losing their series—San Jose, Detroit, Colorado and St. Louis. It really is "just one game."
In today's
Morning Skate over at
The Province, sports editor Jonathan McDonald suggests that it might be time to send Mark Donnelly to the press box. He has been a common thread for these playoff losses—dating all the way back to 2011.
Virtually everything else has been changed in game presentation since then and I'd agree—not only is Donnelly not delivering wins, his act has also gotten pretty stale.
Think of the furor that Ginette Reno created when she started winning games for the Montreal Canadiens last year. I think it's time to pass the torch.
Who would you like to see step up to the microphone tonight?
Back to the on-ice action. Here's who's on the ice for the Canucks at their optional skate this morning:
Still no sign of Zack Kassian.
The only possible question mark in the lineup looks like it's Kevin Bieksa, who missed practice on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Canucks may have been a bit surprised by the solid play of Flames rookie Sam Bennett. In just his second NHL game, the 18-year-old earned four shots on goal, two hits, a high-sticking penalty on Dan Hamhuis and an assist on Kris Russell's game-winning goal. Not bad.
The Canucks did a good job of neutralizing Calgary's top line in Game 1, but it'll be important for the Vancouver defense not to give Bennett as much time and space on the ice tonight.
Rookie Michael Ferland also made an impression on Wednesday night. Unlike the 178-pound Bennett, Ferland's a solid 6'2" and 215 pounds. He assisted on Calgary's first goal and led the Flames with seven hits in Game 1, but showed that he can lose his temper when Derek Dorsett goaded him into a retaliatory cross-checking penalty in the first period.
There's speculation that Sean Monahan could be playing with a shoulder injury suffered against the Kings last week, but according to the
Flames website, he's fine.
A couple of other things to watch for Vancouver tonight:
• Will Willie find a little more ice time for the Sedins? They played well in Game 1—Daniel had six shots on goal and Henrik was 79 percent in the face-off circle—but it sure would have been nice if they could have scored an insurance goal before Calgary started its comeback.
• Can Eddie lack keep the door closed? If the Canucks are going to continue to struggle to score, that doesn't leave much room for error for the Vancouver netminder, who was solid in Game 1.
The only game between Vancouver and Calgary that wasn't decided by a one-goal margin was the Canucks' 4-2 win to open the 2014-15 season back on October 8. Expect another close one tonight.
Enjoy the game!
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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