The Sedins will get their points here and there, as will Monahan and Gaudreau. We are currently losing this series because Calgary's depth players are outperforming ours. To turn the tide, we need to have one of our bottom lines really step up. From the look of the first 3 games, Bo's line is as good a bet as any.
- nucks_94

I don't agree that CGY's depth is outperforming ours, at least from a scoring perspective. The players that have been scoring their points during the season (Monahan line + Dmen) have been doing it again in the post-season. Apart from them there isn't a CGY forward with more than a point. Our scoring is actually more balanced.

The Horvat line isn't playing against the top D pairing. If they did I suspect the few points they have been able to generate would be neutralized. I understand what you're saying, depth scoring is critical in the playoffs, but not playing your best line (yes, the Sedins are our best line who generate the majority of the chances) more than your 2nd or even 3rd line at times is an odd coaching decision. We had several minutes of 4-on-4 at one point last night and the Sedins didn't get out there until the end of it, when we were suddenly on the PK. I don't get the logic.

The depth player Kenins/Horvat/Richardson/Dorsett/Hansen/Matthias have been fine, the Sedins have been okay. The Bonino line has been the worst at both ends of the ice.
- belcherbd

Higgins TOI was 17:57, tops among the forward group. I still think there are better options on the 2nd pp. Would rather see Sven on the 2nd pp or Horvat or Matthias.

I wanted to see Matthias/Bonino/Vrbata to see if the line can bring a bit more offense. Wouldn't mind seeing Dorsett up there instead of Higgins as another option.

They need to shake it up a bit. Maybe Sven on the second line instead of Higgins and move Higgins to the Horvat line?

They need to mix it up.
- hillbillydeluxe

Baertchi should have been kept up to play vs his old team for intensity and Vrbata REALLY needs to be back on the Sedin line...should have left him there. Without the threat of Kassian with the Sedins it changes the whole dynamic of the club. WTF is going on with Kassian anyways??

Burrows instigator rescinded and no punishment for Hamhuis or Bieksa.

Yeah Philly guys said we had to add horvat for it to work. I called the police.
- manvanfan

Philly would take Edler without Horvat.

Burrows instigator rescinded and no punishment for Hamhuis or Bieksa.
- hankthetank

Engelland didn't get anything neither would hammer or burrows. Next person gets a couple games for sure though.

Philly would take Edler without Horvat.
- LordHumungous

According to them the value of that trade was so lopsided it was embarrassing because Edler's value has plummeted so badly in the past few years.

Burrows instigator rescinded and no punishment for Hamhuis or Bieksa.
- hankthetank

Friedman and others were fairly certain last night that would be the case. Good to see it official though.

Todd McLellan parted ways with SJ by mutual consent. Not too surprising.

Friedman and others were fairly certain last night that would be the case. Good to see it official though.
- AlexF

Only people who thought it would be a suspension were Flames media and fans. They are still figuring out how playoff hockey works these days.

Baertchi should have been kept up to play vs his old team for intensity and Vrbata REALLY needs to be back on the Sedin line...should have left him there. Without the threat of Kassian with the Sedins it changes the whole dynamic of the club. WTF is going on with Kassian anyways??
- LordHumungous

late in a game when it is 5v5 and we need a goal.
I don't mind Vrbata on the 2nd line for most of the game. But when you fall behind and need a goal, he should be moved up. I like the idea of a balanced attack, but when you need production, you should load up your top line.

Wouldn't be against seeing that Sedins, Vrbata, Burrows and whichever dman unit

I understand the balanced ice time approach and keeping guys playing fresh, but I don't think it works over all to have Higgins as the guy with the most toi and playing both pk and pp.

Not sure where Kassian is, do they have a big screen at the Roxy? Does he even know the playoffs are happening? Or is the club keeping the wraps on the secret weapon?

And Sven up with some intensity would be great, I want more offense in the lineup and I think he might be able to contribute with some goals too.

I don't mind Vrbata on the 2nd line for most of the game. But when you fall behind and need a goal, he should be moved up. I like the idea of a balanced attack, but when you need production, you should load up your top line.

Wouldn't be against seeing that Sedins, Vrbata, Burrows and whichever dman unit late in a game when it is 5v5 and we need a goal.

I understand the balanced ice time approach and keeping guys playing fresh, but I don't think it works over all to have Higgins as the guy with the most toi and playing both pk and pp.

Not sure where Kassian is, do they have a big screen at the Roxy? Does he even know the playoffs are happening? Or is the club keeping the wraps on the secret weapon?
- hillbillydeluxe

Early in the season wasn't higgins, bonino, burrows kind of the shut down line? moving vrbata up with the sedins and line matching would be better for WD

Early in the season wasn't higgins, bonino, burrows kind of the shut down line? moving vrbata up with the sedins and line matching would be better for WD
- manvanfan

I don't think we need our second line to be a shutdown line. I want more scoring, more offense. But hey, if they are our shutdown line, can they at least play 3rd line minutes?

(harder to line match on the road too- might be more the reason to have 2 lines that can score)

I don't agree that CGY's depth is outperforming ours, at least from a scoring perspective. The players that have been scoring their points during the season (Monahan line + Dmen) have been doing it again in the post-season. Apart from them there isn't a CGY forward with more than a point. Our scoring is actually more balanced.

The Horvat line isn't playing against the top D pairing. If they did I suspect the few points they have been able to generate would be neutralized. I understand what you're saying, depth scoring is critical in the playoffs, but not playing your best line (yes, the Sedins are our best line who generate the majority of the chances) more than your 2nd or even 3rd line at times is an odd coaching decision. We had several minutes of 4-on-4 at one point last night and the Sedins didn't get out there until the end of it, when we were suddenly on the PK. I don't get the logic.
- AlexF

I completely agree that we need to play the Sedins more. It baffling that Daniel played 3 less minutes than Higgins last night. I guess what it comes down to is that their "second" line of Bennett, Backlund, and Colborne, have significantly outplayed our "second" line.

Only people who thought it would be a suspension were Flames media and fans. They are still figuring out how playoff hockey works these days.
- hankthetank

Based on how the canucks are playing, the flames and their fans will probably get a bit more experience.

I completely agree that we need to play the Sedins more. It baffling that Daniel played 3 less minutes than Higgins last night. I guess what it comes down to is that their "second" line of Bennett, Backlund, and Colborne, have significantly outplayed our "second" line.
- nucks_94

I wouldn't mind if the Sedins played more, and I don't get the "fresh" talk when Higgins is playing so much. Is Higgins "fresh" when he plays the most of the forward group?

Our 2nd line toi was greater than the first line.

I completely agree that we need to play the Sedins more. It baffling that Daniel played 3 less minutes than Higgins last night. I guess what it comes down to is that their "second" line of Bennett, Backlund, and Colborne, have significantly outplayed our "second" line.
- nucks_94

Ironically, for all the Bennett accolades, he's got as many points (2) as Bonino. It's his crashing of the net and the Flames' overall physical forecheck that has made the headlines. However from a pure scoring perspective CGY in the postseason are bang-on with their regular season tendencies. Our scoring is not, and neither are the minutes given to our lines. It also places one of our glaring weaknesses into stark perspective: scoring from the backend.

Based on how the canucks are playing, the flames and their fans will probably get a bit more experience.
- bloatedmosquito

Based on how they played last night or in the first 2 games?
Game 1 was even. Canucks should have won. Game 2 the Canucks dominated. Game 3 the Canucks got dominated. It's been an even series so far. Should be 2-1 Canucks.

Not sure where Kassian is, do they have a big screen at the Roxy? Does he even know the playoffs are happening? Or is the club keeping the wraps on the secret weapon?

And Sven up with some intensity would be great, I want more offense in the lineup and I think he might be able to contribute with some goals too.
- hillbillydeluxe

Would Kass be a difference maker? For whom would he make a difference?

Seems like he would easily be goaded into alot of dumb penalties.

In any case... Sure seems like something is up with him and it brings into question the nature of his " injury "

I'm all for Sven coming into the lineup, but you know Willie... Loyal to a fault.

Remember when we all griped about Veenyo scrambling his lines too much???

I don't think we need our second line to be a shutdown line. I want more scoring, more offense. But hey, if they are our shutdown line, can they at least play 3rd line minutes?

(harder to line match on the road too- might be more the reason to have 2 lines that can score)
- hillbillydeluxe

are both lines scoring? no. Calgary feels that their top line is equal to ours right now. Maybe if adding vrbata to the sedins they won't feel that way and will need to match up a different line. Allowing higgins, burrows and bonino to take on their top line. Moves the first line against different line on calgary allowing our third and fourth lines to have different match ups also.

Based on how the canucks are playing, the flames and their fans will probably get a bit more experience.
- bloatedmosquito

It will be interesting to see how the series plays out, in both the flames wins they blocked ~30 shots, in the game they lost only 15. Those shot blocks are likely going to wear down the D, but without those blocks I think you see the Canucks dominate the score board. If Calgary can continue to block 50% of the nucks shots and can stay healthy, I think they win this but that isn't exactly a recipe for success imo.

Well I think a lot of it was drummed up after the brawl last year...and I think it's pretty clear these 2 teams HATE each other on a new level. These 2 teams have way more history than Canucks V Hawks or LA. But your statement is probably bang on, new life being breathed into an old rivalry.
- The-O-G

Hate... no. It's business.

Would Kass be a difference maker? For whom would he make a difference?

Seems like he would easily be goaded into alot of dumb penalties.

In any case... Sure seems like something is up with him and it brings into question the nature of his " injury "

I'm all for Sven coming into the lineup, but you know Willie... Loyal to a fault.

Remember when we all griped about Veenyo scrambling his lines too much???
- rugdnit

His back is badly injured. People on Twitter are saying that he needs surgery, but none are credible sources.

His back is badly injured. People on Twitter are saying that he needs surgery, but none are credible sources.
- Gullzy

They just said he's done for the year on 1040.

I know this won't be a popular trade proposal but I would offer the Bruins Vrbata for Luc. They both have one year left on their contract. They are 1 mil apart in salary.

Bruins get a 30 goal scorer and we get a younger much tougher 20 -25 goal scorer.

Sedin Sedin Burrows

Lucic Bo Sven

Kenins McCann Hansen