They forgot all about defence, sticking close to their man and not giving any time and space. Singular focus on getting the goal back.

need to bear down for a complete game. I always think they get it in their heads that they work hard for a bit and then expect to coast...
- hillbillydeluxe

The thing is the Flames wont stop, havent all year, and wont right now.

The question is, can the Canucks just turn that on? If not they might be (frank)ed

I would be very surprised if Miller was in game 2. Lack was one our better players even though I called him out. Henrik and Burrows I thought played pretty good as well but had no finish. They need to pick it up. Higgins had legs but thats about it. PP sucked, PK was awesome. Vantel is right scoring is our problem. Not quite as bad at scoring as Nucker101. Finish needs to happen.
- thundachunk

This, this, this and this.

I would be very surprised if Miller was in game 2. Lack was one our better players even though I called him out. Henrik and Burrows I thought played pretty good as well but had no finish. They need to pick it up. Higgins had legs but thats about it. PP sucked, PK was awesome. Vantel is right scoring is our problem. Not quite as bad at scoring as Nucker101. Finish needs to happen.
- thundachunk

Lack should definitely start. He played well. To score only 1 goal in 60 minutes of hockey and somehow feel that the issue was anything other than scoring is misguided to say the least.

I would be very surprised if Miller was in game 2. Lack was one our better players even though I called him out. Henrik and Burrows I thought played pretty good as well but had no finish. They need to pick it up. Higgins had legs but thats about it. PP sucked, PK was awesome. Vantel is right scoring is our problem. Not quite as bad at scoring as Nucker101. Finish needs to happen.
- thundachunk

Was trying to figure out what Higgins was doing with the Sedins, I guess he was out there just a couple of times during line changes but it just was all

The thing is the Flames wont stop, havent all year, and wont right now.

The question is, can the Canucks just turn that on? If not they might be (frank)ed
- The-O-G

The Canucks have been a resilient team as well and bounced back from mediocre performances all season long. I'll start getting nervous if they lose the next one.

They forgot all about defence, sticking close to their man and not giving any time and space. Singular focus on getting the goal back.

need to bear down for a complete game. I always think they get it in their heads that they work hard for a bit and then expect to coast...
- hillbillydeluxe

The final goal was completely preventable. KB has years of experience, size and weight on Bennet. All he had to do was clear the crease. Push Bennett out of the way so that Lack has a clear lane and there are no tipins. Lifting the players stick while screening your goalie is not productive. KB has been around long enough to know that he needs to clear the crease and screen his goalie. That was the biggest pat peeve of Lou and any D playing with Lou should have been conditioned long enough to know what is required in that situation. In playoffs it is the small battles and mental mistakes that win the series and yesterday we made those mistakes.
I had a dream a few nights ago that we won the cup and KB won the con smythe and then we traded him to Leafs for their 1st. and 3rd. Now I know what time of the day I was dreaming that.

The thing is the Flames wont stop, havent all year, and wont right now.

The question is, can the Canucks just turn that on? If not they might be (frank)ed
- The-O-G

The Flames played a good game. Stuck to their men and didn't give much space all game.

It was just game 1. Looking forward to tomorrow night. (hope the intensity keeps up)

The Canucks have been a resilient team as well and bounced back from mediocre performances all season long. I'll start getting nervous if they lose the next one.
- CubanBuffet

Plus the Canucks have rocked on the road.

I don't disagree. Their PK is great so why not make life difficult for Hiller and if you take a penalty along the way, so be it.

It's no accident that the Canucks' only goal was the result of traffic in front of the net, unfortunately it was all Flames.
- CubanBuffet

The problem with any team when they get tired is they collapse to the net. Defensive strategy breaks down. Our goal against Calgary, tired players collapse the net. The wining goal tired line collapse the net. Its natural for players to forget there role and positioning when tired. Instead of helping they hamper the goalie. It is still the goalies job not to put himself out of position. We have seen on numerous occasions the goalie make a save he didn't see because of positioning.

Plus the Canucks have rocked on the road.
- AlexF

Need to win the next game. Go into calgary 1-1 or they most likely won't be moving on

I have the same feeling. Did WD get outcoached as well perhaps?
- VanHockeyGuy

I definitely think he did last night...

I definitely think he did last night...
- chompsey

He played the sedins 16 and 17 minutes. Your nursing a lead going into the third, you put the sedins into cycle mode. They should have been at least 20. They have been resting all season.

Plus the Canucks have rocked on the road.
- AlexF

Canucks play 3 on the road and 4 at home. That recipe is not going to work.

I have the same feeling. Did WD get outcoached as well perhaps?
- VanHockeyGuy

Hearing some of his comments today, I don't think he did. They definitely had a plan to pressure with the D stepping up. It worked well sometimes, and others created odd man rushes, but overall I thought it was an effective game plan. His comments about saving the Sedins for the series tells me he thinks his team is better and is willing to gamble a game or 2 for longer term success. He has won championships at other levels and must have an idea or two of how he wants to handle it

The Flames played a good game. Stuck to their men and didn't give much space all game.

It was just game 1. Looking forward to tomorrow night. (hope the intensity keeps up)
- hillbillydeluxe

Me too. I'm stoked the Flames pulled that one off because they looked really shaky at the start of the game. A lot of that was nerves I assume, but you finally could see them find their game in the third.

I expect them to play much better tomorrow, and I am sure the Canucks will as well.

Hearing some of his comments today, I don't think he did. They definitely had a plan to pressure with the D stepping up. It worked well sometimes, and others created odd man rushes, but overall I thought it was an effective game plan. His comments about saving the Sedins for the series tells me he thinks his team is better and is willing to gamble a game or 2 for longer term success. He has won championships at other levels and must have an idea or two of how he wants to handle it
- WhiteLie

You guys are just figuring that out now? LOL

Hearing some of his comments today, I don't think he did. They definitely had a plan to pressure with the D stepping up. It worked well sometimes, and others created odd man rushes, but overall I thought it was an effective game plan. His comments about saving the Sedins for the series tells me he thinks his team is better and is willing to gamble a game or 2 for longer term success. He has won championships at other levels and must have an idea or two of how he wants to handle it
- WhiteLie

Was not a fan of the D stepping up in a 1-1 game - I was pulling my hair out....

1-11 in their last 12 playoff games, (frank), this is not tasting good....

Hearing some of his comments today, I don't think he did. They definitely had a plan to pressure with the D stepping up. It worked well sometimes, and others created odd man rushes, but overall I thought it was an effective game plan. His comments about saving the Sedins for the series tells me he thinks his team is better and is willing to gamble a game or 2 for longer term success. He has won championships at other levels and must have an idea or two of how he wants to handle it
- WhiteLie

I am on the fence. I don't think our top D got enough ice but its not out of the question for him to roll his lines evenly it is early in the series. WD had his match ups. The game changer for the Flames was when Hartley called a TO after the ice. He rallied his troops and the won the game. In that respect I wouldn't say he was out coached as he would have done the same. After the tying goal he should have called a TO rally your team don't have them sitting back playing for a tie. In this I would say he did.

I would be very surprised if Miller was in game 2. Lack was one our better players even though I called him out. Henrik and Burrows I thought played pretty good as well but had no finish. They need to pick it up. Higgins had legs but thats about it. PP sucked, PK was awesome. Vantel is right scoring is our problem. Not quite as bad at scoring as Nucker101. Finish needs to happen.
- thundachunk

I'm not expecting Miller to start game two either...but it wouldn't shock me. Lack's third period last night could be a one off for now as he played very well in the first few frames and has most likely earned that 2nd game start. Gonna be a short leash though. Miller may not be quite 100% but I'm not ready to toss him under the bus for one shi**y game vs EDM. Mentally Miller is way further ahead than Eddie and Willie may need to draw on that before series end.

Canucks play 3 on the road and 4 at home. That recipe is not going to work.
- Linden_4_Capt

LOL, You think? I meant that this team is certainly capable of making up the series deficit by winning a few on the road, not win every road game and lose every home game.

That said, I agree with Manvanfan that taking a 0-2 deficit on the road will likely not end well.

The Canucks were pretty much hemmed into their own zone for the final 6 minutes or so. They might have had their chances earlier on but they got overwhelmed down the stretch. That's troubling.

All this said, this was always a long series in my mind and we are a decent road team. Lots of hockey to still be played.
- AlexF

Being hemmed in is the result of poor defensive play imo. We have a veteran D core that has played a lot of playoff games. Our D core rarely plays a full 60 minutes. Always seems to be a fire drill late in games. It's at those times late in games when you need your D-men to step up.

A team with little playoff experience (with some players void of NHL experience) were able to gain the zone with ease because our D-men were not able to handle their speed, had a clear path to our net, and were able to stand in front of our net without punishment.

Our D-men played well for the first 30 minutes, but after that

I am on the fence. I don't think our top D got enough ice but its not out of the question for him to roll his lines evenly it is early in the series. WD had his match ups. The game changer for the Flames was when Hartley called a TO after the ice. He rallied his troops and the won the game. In that respect I wouldn't say he was out coached as he would have done the same. After the tying goal he should have called a TO rally your team don't have them sitting back playing for a tie. In this I would say he did.
- thundachunk

Fair point, I think he admitted he didn't do the best job having his top guys out there enough but I do respect the fact that he is calm and composed in this situation. I think some coaches might overreact to being down in a game or series and do more harm by it

You guys are just figuring that out now? LOL
- The-O-G

I was referring to Van's pinching. They hadnt done much of it since NYR exposed them early this year

The final goal was completely preventable. KB has years of experience, size and weight on Bennet. All he had to do was clear the crease. Push Bennett out of the way so that Lack has a clear lane and there are no tipins. Lifting the players stick while screening your goalie is not productive. KB has been around long enough to know that he needs to clear the crease and screen his goalie. That was the biggest pat peeve of Lou and any D playing with Lou should have been conditioned long enough to know what is required in that situation. In playoffs it is the small battles and mental mistakes that win the series and yesterday we made those mistakes.

- Linden_4_Capt