The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to put a bow on the 2014-15 NHL season with a win at the United Center tonight—ideally, winning the Stanley Cup in front of their home fans for the first time since 1938.
I'll be pulling for the Lightning tonight, simply because I want to see the series go to Game 7 and for us fans to be treated to one more game.
It seems almost impossible that Chicago would squander the opportunity to win tonight on home ice, but the Lightning pulled off unexpected road wins in high-pressure situations earlier in these playoffs against both Detroit and the Rangers.
I came across
this piece by Katie Baker at
Grantland, chronicling and contrasting the Rangers and Ducks' seventh-game losses at home in the conference finals. It's really well-written—and a good reminder that home fans don't always get what they want.
The Canucks themselves played spoiler for the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in Game 5 of their 1994 playoff series, as Jason Brough reminds us:
The
New York Times article is a great trip down memory lane—even if it does quote Trevor Linden saying that defenseman "Wayne Babych's goal was huge." LOL.
Also in Canuck-land—time to pay attention to Brendan Gaunce, who dug his way out of the doghouse during the Calder Cup playoffs and has earned some pretty serious praise now that all is said and done.
Here's a nice compliment from teammate Cory Conacher, too, who has had some experience playing with and against NHL power forwards:
Gaunce is listed at 6'2" and 207 pounds on the NHL.com website, and has just turned 21. That'd be some nice size to add to the Canucks' bottom six if he is ready to make the jump to the big club.
Canucks.com spoke to Gaunce last week about his experiences as a first-year pro. He seems to have really enjoyed the independence of living on his own.
Gaunce also reminds us that his older brother Cameron was part of the Texas Stars' Calder Cup-winning team in 2014. Brendan may not have matched his achievement, but that's still a pretty impressive one-two punch for the Gaunce family in successive seasons.
Here's the final advice that Utica coach Travis Green gave his players at their exit meetings on Sunday:
One final note on Canucks prospects from News1130:
The News1130 crew also spoke with Brad Richardson's agent and with Sven Baertschi today. Nothing earth-shattering to report on either front there. Agent Mark Guy says that Richardson's recovering well from his ankle surgery and that he's still talking with the Canucks about a possible new deal, while Baertschi seems crystal clear that he needs to put in a good summer of work and have a great camp if he wants to make the most of what could be his last chance to carve out an NHL career.
Though they're two completely different types of players, if Vancouver makes room for Baertschi, that'll be part of the reason why they probably don't have room for Richardson next season. I like Richardson's work ethic and his versatility, and he's an inexpensive option, but the only way I can see him coming back to Vancouver if if one or more regular forwards are traded this summer.
General Fanager shows that the Canucks have 10 forwards signed for next season, as well as three RFAs—Linden Vey, Ronalds Kenins and Brandon McMillan.
If the Canucks plan to carry eight defensemen, which seems likely, that only leaves room for 13 forwards on the big club. They'll need to do some juggling just to make room for Baertschi, let alone any other young players who could potentially get integrated into the lineup.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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