A lot of it has to do with going from a Goalie with a .916 save % to a Goalie with an .893 save %. Not a lot of teams out there can support that kind of drop off in the position.
- Load Management

Yes, that hasn't helped... but DeSmith has not been their downfall. Most nights he's kept them in it, their scoring has just tanked. I put more blame on the players than the goalie. Apparently the league average in save percentage this year is .898, so it's not like he's trashing the team

Canucks will always be cunucks. Close but no cookie

Thanks Mr. Newbury...if that's your real name. One of the best parts of this season, and is it's pretty clear from this thread, is the Oilers fans long standing butthurt over the pounding we gave them early. I absolutely love it.

The boys will be fine.
- Load Management

Thank you.

Canucks will always be cunucks. Close but no cookie
- LFS

You have something on your back.

Yes, that hasn't helped... but DeSmith has not been their downfall. Most nights he's kept them in it, their scoring has just tanked. I put more blame on the players than the goalie. Apparently the league average in save percentage this year is .898, so it's not like he's trashing the team
- NewYorkNuck

No, he hasn't been the downfall, but with Demko, he might have made some saves that DeSmith couldn't that might have given the team a chance. There have been times where just keeping the team close or tied would give them a chance to win. A lot of the problems do lie with the players not executing offensively or defensively, but having a goalie that can make stops that someone else might not have or at least the potential to do so can do a lot for confidence. This seems more of a confidence issue and the drag of a long season than anything.

Thanks, glad it's worth people's attentions.

1. I worded it poorly, but the Canucks' coaching staff have played the most NHL games than any other coaching staff... "Rick Tocchet, Sergei Gonchar and Adam Foote alone skated in 3,500 NHL games, far and away the most experience staff in the NHL." https://theprovince.com/s...hl-games-than-the-canucks

2. From what I've read their PDO has sunk, but their actual 5-on-5 play/shots/advantage has gone up. (It was below 50% before with the high PDO, and it's above 50% now.) I haven't seen anyone mention the specific PDO numbers lately, so not exactly sure what it's at. It's a combination of things – a little regression for sure, a little poorer play – so it feels like this is sort of the team people predicted in the summer: somewhat good bubble-ish team.
- NewYorkNuck

Maybe other teams are uping their play.

No, he hasn't been the downfall, but with Demko, he might have made some saves that DeSmith couldn't that might have given the team a chance. There have been times where just keeping the team close or tied would give them a chance to win. A lot of the problems do lie with the players not executing offensively or defensively, but having a goalie that can make stops that someone else might not have or at least the potential to do so can do a lot for confidence. This seems more of a confidence issue and the drag of a long season than anything.
- DariusKnight

Oh agree. He's a step down from Demko, and DeSmith isn't able to steal games like Demko. I mean Demko is a top 5 player on the team in an insanely important position. But I don't think the Canucks are losing because of DeSmith, at least from what I've seen/read. The losses have been a complete team effort

You have something on your back.
- Marwood

Yeah. Three cups in six years. Hows your back?

They just need their starting goalie back. It's pretty simple. Good enough to beat bad teams without him and are slightly worse that playoff teams without him. Put him on and were slightly better than most playoffs team and slightly worse than the Colorado etc.
- Jkuzzi

The bad habits that have crept back into the Canucks game existed long before Demko got hurt. Yes Demko back will help but he's not a deciding factor. They have much to clean up all around for PO's.

Yeah. Three cups in six years. Hows your back?
- LFS

Full marks sure but if you are somehow able to gain access to the BlackHawks massage room I'm sure they would let you finish lil' guy.

You have something on your back.
- Marwood

His video coach?

Oh agree. He's a step down from Demko, and DeSmith isn't able to steal games like Demko. I mean Demko is a top 5 player on the team in an insanely important position. But I don't think the Canucks are losing because of DeSmith, at least from what I've seen/read. The losses have been a complete team effort
- NewYorkNuck

They're still beating DeSmith on shots Demko stops. Especially up high. That definitely makes a huge difference. It shifts momentum and confidence.

They're still beating DeSmith on shots Demko stops. Especially up high. That definitely makes a huge difference. It shifts momentum and confidence.
- Load Management

Silovs is sitting back with a big grin and licking his chops. I think he sees a back up roll next year.

NYN is right though he is not the reason they are losing. And thx NYN

I think Canucks are going to be a good team in another two years. They may have been punching above their heads this year, but they are beginning to see the possibilities.

Yes, that hasn't helped... but DeSmith has not been their downfall. Most nights he's kept them in it, their scoring has just tanked. I put more blame on the players than the goalie. Apparently the league average in save percentage this year is .898, so it's not like he's trashing the team
- NewYorkNuck

He hasn't looked good to me at all. I couldn't believe how bad he was positioned on the 1st goal last night. It's definitely not his fault per se but for this team to be successful he isn't good enough that's all

The bad habits that have crept back into the Canucks game existed long before Demko got hurt. Yes Demko back will help but he's not a deciding factor. They have much to clean up all around for PO's.
- LordHumungous

I guess what I'm saying is demmer is good enough to hide enough of the mistakes to make them a top 10 team. Desmith is not

He hasn't looked good to me at all. I couldn't believe how bad he was positioned on the 1st goal last night. It's definitely not his fault per se but for this team to be successful he isn't good enough that's all
- Jkuzzi

Demko manages the game a lot differently with his rebound control as well.

Demko manages the game a lot differently with his rebound control as well.
- Load Management

I just hope after years of no playoffs we don't play LA. I just want to watch real hockey in the playoffs. I don't care if we get swept just let's see something fun

I just hope after years of no playoffs we don't play LA. I just want to watch real hockey in the playoffs. I don't care if we get swept just let's see something fun
- Jkuzzi

I don't care who we play or where we finish. I think we're gonna go at teams a lot differently than how they are playing now.

I don't care who we play or where we finish. I think we're gonna go at teams a lot differently than how they are playing now.
- Load Management

They better or it will be a short run.

I don't care who we play or where we finish. I think we're gonna go at teams a lot differently than how they are playing now.
- Load Management

I agree, with the playoffs you can set your matchups and game plan differently. Goes both ways, mind you.. but I think they'll play a little differently than now.

They better or it will be a short run.
- VANTEL

Thanks Lordy.

Thanks Lordy.
- Load Management

Go to work and get more sleep

I agree, with the playoffs you can set your matchups and game plan differently. Goes both ways, mind you.. but I think they'll play a little differently than now.
- NewYorkNuck

Strategy changes when you're facing the same team for a run of games. Although they didn't execute well you could see last night the team made adjustments to counter LA sitting back that were far more effective than the previous game. That's playoff Coaching.

IMHO what has made this staff successful so far is their ability to make those adjustments on a period to period or game to game basis, while getting the buy in from the players. I'm stoked to see how they work in the playoffs.

To me, this team is dangerous because they have nothing to lose. Nobody expected them to be where they are. Anything they can take away from this year, no matter how it ends, is something they can build on.

Strategy changes when you're facing the same team for a run of games. Although they didn't execute well you could see last night the team made adjustments to counter LA sitting back that were far more effective than the previous game. That's playoff Coaching.

IMHO what has made this staff successful so far is their ability to make those adjustments on a period to period or game to game basis, while getting the buy in from the players. I'm stoked to see how they work in the playoffs.

To me, this team is dangerous because they have nothing to lose. Nobody expected them to be where they are. Anything they can take away from this year, no matter how it ends, is something they can build on.
- Load Management

If interested Abby plays at 4pm 7.99 USD to view the game. Cheaper than a Jr game. Watch Likker and EP before Likker heads out back to Sweden.

Strategy changes when you're facing the same team for a run of games. Although they didn't execute well you could see last night the team made adjustments to counter LA sitting back that were far more effective than the previous game. That's playoff Coaching.

IMHO what has made this staff successful so far is their ability to make those adjustments on a period to period or game to game basis, while getting the buy in from the players. I'm stoked to see how they work in the playoffs.

To me, this team is dangerous because they have nothing to lose. Nobody expected them to be where they are. Anything they can take away from this year, no matter how it ends, is something they can build on.
- Load Management

Pretty sure I seen someone had predicted them to be where they are, in Makitas season prediction forum

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...read.php?thread_id=185231