- dbot

Actually, if they lose tomorrow...

I’ll continue with the Pettersson bashing in a moment, but I’m taking some time to post this.

Ya, Lindholm has been playing very good, that whole line has been good.
- Reubenkincade

11 mil for a third line player. Not one of PAs better signings.

How many times can you guys be down going into the 3rd and expect to win? You've used up all your playoff luck early and let's face it, Oil have controlled 75% of this series.

Your goalie has been standing on his head while ours has been subpar is the only reason this is tied.

Oil are a favorite for a reason, they are the better team.

11 mil for a third line player. Not one of PAs better signings.
- VANTEL

It's just because he's young and new to the playoffs.

“You can’t win if you have 5, 6 or 7 passengers,” says Rick Tocchet.

“It’s playoff hockey. One of those guys can be the hero for us next game, but they’ve got to step it up.” #Canucks 

———————————————————

Who are the 5-6-7 guys, Pettersson, Hronek, Lafferty, Hoglander, Mikhayev, Blueger?

How many times can you guys be down going into the 3rd and expect to win? You've used up all your playoff luck early and let's face it, Oil have controlled 75% of this series.

Your goalie has been standing on his head while ours has been subpar is the only reason this is tied.

Oil are a favorite for a reason, they are the better team.
- Oildrum

I don’t think they’re the better team at all. Clearly the Oilers best players, who play half the game, are just head and shoulders better than the Canucks best players. Which is different from team vs team, holistically.

11 mil for a third line player. Not one of PAs better signings.
- VANTEL

“You can’t win if you have 5, 6 or 7 passengers,” says Rick Tocchet.

“It’s playoff hockey. One of those guys can be the hero for us next game, but they’ve got to step it up.” #Canucks 

———————————————————

Who are the 5-6-7 guys, Pettersson, Hronek, Lafferty, Hoglander, Mikhayev, Blueger?
- Pacificgem

The slurpers would disagree.

He hasn’t really singled him out. He’s called out amounts of players and reporters asked about Petey.

But even if he’s injured he’s not giving all he can. Everyone has an injury this time of year and they push hard through it
- NewYorkNuck

He hasn’t fully singled him out cuz you don’t mess with a core players head. He’s closing in on it though. On Petey’s side his D has held up & his wingers are still a decent excuse. Fans such as myself can say it with impunity.

It's just because he's young and new to the playoffs.
- VanHockeyGuy

I said it a few nights ago he skates like he sh1t his pants. I also said right from the start this contract is going to get ugly. I had some good arguments on here that the contract would be bad in a couple of years but it might only take a couple of months.

He had a hell of a first half but was on pace for sixty points in the second half. I really doubt Guentzel is coming here so the team better have a Plan B and C.

Trade Hronek also.

IMO, the forwards have been getting ou-hustled and out-muscled, the team needs to add whoever they have that can help offset that.
- Reubenkincade

Agree slower to react & causing the Oil more break out time. Puck battles on the wrong end too often.
More urgency less thinking & get back to the staples all 4 lines.

Petey is such a competitive guy, I have trouble believing the issue is simply him not trying hard enough. There has to be some other issue, whether it's an injury, illness, or something personal. He looks miserable out there.

I have also noticed several other guys on the team passing up opportunities to give him the puck on numerous occasions.
- NorthNuck

He looks sorta miserable but he’s also chasing the play far too much. Looking slow & not good for a centre. Yes seems like his wingers aren’t feeding him but he’s also not his usual self in good positions nearly often enough.

Every game has been decided by one goal. They aren’t really getting out muscled, but their powerplay has sucked and Petey hasn’t been good enough. I’d like Hughes to find another level too, but he may be injured.
- neem55

The PP is all that separates the series. Oilers are a 1 trick pony against good teams & I’ve no clue why they are cup favourites.

Thanks nyn.
I love how close this series is.

Great to see coach Toc calling out the passengers.
I think Lafferty started with Pettys line for about a shift and the Karlsson was back there.

I’d expect him to be swapped with PDG.
Would love to see Hoglander come back like a wrecking ball.

Soucy back will be significant.
Not sure who is more of a liability- Cole or juulsen tho.
- dbot

I think Pod needs a look. Brings energy & could infuse life. Bleuger needs to be better & cash in. Lafferty has to bring speed & havoc. Hog be high energy pesty.

I said it a few nights ago he skates like he sh1t his pants. I also said right from the start this contract is going to get ugly. I had some good arguments on here that the contract would be bad in a couple of years but it might only take a couple of months.

He had a hell of a first half but was on pace for sixty points in the second half. I really doubt Guentzel is coming here so the team better have a Plan B and C.

Trade Hronek also.
- VANTEL

Measuring stick for EP40 is Lindholm, they need to find a way to re-sign him.

Time for a redemption line:

Hog - Petey - Podkolzin

If Hog and Pod can be annoying wrecking ball players and loosen up the puck, maybe Petey can provide a little magic. Good line to try at home when they have last change. Plus they’re playing 3rd line matchups so that should be fine
- NewYorkNuck

Good name very apropo 👍

Hronek has dragged down Hughes to the degree Hughes is easier to target. Not helping break outs & a black hole on offence. He ups his game & it’s a big injection.

Measuring stick for EP40 is Lindholm, they need to find a way to re-sign him.
- VanHockeyGuy

I think with Hronek and Pettersson they realize this playoff thingy is cutting into their golfing time.

The slurpers would disagree.
- VanHockeyGuy

I think he’s just trying to rally the troops, however, when you look realistically at their depth guys, you’re not going to get much from them, no matter how much he whines about it. They are what they are, they just don’t score much.

Now, if you look at the Canucks top four goal guys this year, Boeser, Miller, Pettersson & Hoglander, only Boeser is truly carrying his weight in terms of goal scoring. Miller(2) Hoglander(0) and Petey(1) have three goals between them. That’s not good enough.

That’s dumb.
He’s not a rockstar. He’s just not playing well enough.
It’s his first taste of playoffs and is playing with plugs.

A little adversity will be helpful in the long run.
- dbot

How big of a sample is needed before Petey doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt? Is he killing it on the PP? He’s had time on the 6-40-9 line. Didn’t mesh with Lindholm.

If I saw a warrior mentality out there & him in the play more I’d be ok but that’s not the case. He’s been lost for months.

For how ineffective Petey’s line has been with whatever wingers would it hurt to try Leki? What is there to lose? Pod in same thing?

He needs guys on his wings he has chemistry with. Hog and Mik are simply not that. Crosby was able to produce for years with Kunitz even though he wasn't the most talented guy because they were so good at reading off of each other, Petey's chemistry with his current linemates has been non-existant.
- NorthNuck

Hog was fine on the 4th can’t punch above his weight yet. Miky has been a write off.

Suter Miller Boeser
Petey Lindholm Leki
Joshua Bleuger Garland
Hog Lafferty/Aman Pod

Give Miky a seat for a game or more.

Measuring stick for EP40 is Lindholm, they need to find a way to re-sign him.
- VanHockeyGuy

The only way that would work is if you put Petey on Millers wing, but then you have Lindholm as you second line center with no wingers, so you’re right back to where we are now. I suppose you could put Petey on Lindholm’s wing, but they didn’t have much chemistry when they tried them together.

Needs a burrows type imo.
Hoglander was fitting that role previously…
- dbot

Always my go to that 3rd wheels make a line tick. We aren’t getting that outside of the Lindholm line. Miller line is in the role of shutdown.

The only way that would work is if you put Petey on Millers wing, but then you have Lindholm as you second line center with no wingers, so you’re right back to where we are now. I suppose you could put Petey on Lindholm’s wing, but they didn’t have much chemistry when they tried them together.
- Pacificgem

Garland Lindholm Joshua have been a very good second line.

How many times can you guys be down going into the 3rd and expect to win? You've used up all your playoff luck early and let's face it, Oil have controlled 75% of this series.

Your goalie has been standing on his head while ours has been subpar is the only reason this is tied.

Oil are a favorite for a reason, they are the better team.
- Oildrum

Both teams play at their best & this doesn’t fly. Oil are lethal on the PP & that’s about it. Faves cuz better track record is the only reason. Cup faves is unwarranted. Big holes.