Game @ Rangers:

- Didn't think we were thoroughly outplayed, but definitely deserved the loss. Effort didn't seem to be there 100%, and a few dumb mistakes here and there cost us the game. Didn't help that all the goals were off tips and deflections.

- Luongo had his 3rd consecutive poor performance. In that stretch he's been outplayed by two backups. Maybe you can't criticize him because of the type of goals that went in, but we need a big save once in a while. Lack made a few nice saves in relief, but the game was probably already over at 3-0 when he came in.

- Didn't have a whole bunch of "grade A chances" but I thought we had enough around the net and in the slot to keep up with the Rangers... however, again, very little finish. Nobody on the Canucks is a shooting threat in a dangerous area. Daniel used to snipe some in years past but it seems like he's lost his touch when it comes to that aspect of his game. Kesler is supposed to have a good shot but for every 10 shots he takes, 1 is aimed well and the other 9 miss wildly.

- Nice to see Booth score a good goal driving to the net. Confidence is obviously the key here. Booth - Santorelli - Weise has been decent for a third line for the past couple games.

- Burrows is still struggling when it comes to filling the net. It's great that he's doing the right things and getting the chances but his chokes (for the lack of a better term) are costing us points lol. The first line generated a few chances but there wasn't much else going on. I think Garry Valk summed it up best in the post game, "For as much as some of these forwards play... they do nothing."

- The consolation prize was seeing Bieksa get mad and rag-doll Boyle, who is 7 inches taller and 40+ pounds heavier. Boyle is known to be a terrible fighter but Bieksa out-muscling him like that was fun to see. Of course, Cherry mentioned it on Coach's Corner.


Quick turnaround, less than 24 hours for a game in Carolina. Luongo only played 1 period yesterday but I'd like to see Lack get his scheduled start, anyway.

This post was edited by LuLer on Dec 1 2013 04:51am

Burrows out indefinitely with broken jaw.

Got hit with the puck last game, they didn't even know til after it ended. Based on other players who have suffered the same injury, he should be out for about a month. Barring setbacks, Schroeder should be ready to return around then, as well.

Again, I'll promote my idea to put Kassian up on the 1st line now that the spot has opened up, but I highly doubt he goes from healthy scratch to one of the cushiest jobs in the NHL.


Game @ Carolina:
- Not the most exciting or eventful game but the boys got the job done. Totally shut the Canes down in the 1st and didn't give them much in the 3rd, either. Made a few mistakes and took too many penalties in the 2nd period, but decent effort considering the short turnaround.

- Lack was good enough to get the win, but not great. Both goals against were sort of weak but he made some key, timely saves in the second period. Other than that, he wasn't very busy.

- I thought the Hamhuis-Tanev pairing struggled a bit. They weren't exposed or anything, but both made a few bad plays whereas our other 4 D-men were solid for the most part. Garrison has really picked up offensively and has won back his 1st PP unit job, which is obviously important.

- Still struggling to find chemistry in the bottom 3 lines (surprise surprise). Doesn't help that players are getting shuffled around not just every game, but every period.


Can't think of anything else to add; not much stood out positively or negatively. We finish up the road trip tonight in Smashville, who would be tied with us in points if they were to win both their games in hand.

This post was edited by LuLer on Dec 3 2013 06:23am

Game @ Nashville:
- Not a whole bunch of chances 5-on-5 for either side, but that's expected in a game against the Preds. The Canucks were the better team but didn't dominate by any means.

- Canucks power-play looked very good last night, it was pretty much the difference in the game (albeit the some of the penalty calls were kind of weak). However, I don't think the Sedins did much when they were playing even-strength. Part of the reason could be that Booth, who doesn't really mesh with them, was on their wing for the 2nd and 3rd period, although individually Booth didn't have a bad game.

- I thought Luongo was sort of shaky to start but once he made a save on a 2-on-0 right in front of the net, he settled down. Tanev turned it over behind the net, Hamhuis was in the corner waiting for his pass and Richardson, who was supposed to be the support guy, left the area for some dumb reason leaving 2 Preds all alone in front. Lu was solid the rest of the way. The only goal that beat him was off a 2-on-1 in front caused by Daniel forgetting to follow his check to the net.

- Torts is still juggling lines like a madman. He shuffled the deck to start the 2nd period and then again during the 2nd period. I like the fact that he's not afraid to shake things up when it looks like it's getting stale but IMO he really needs to give the lines a chance to develop some chemistry sometimes.

- Santorelli played a very strong game and he was rewarded with the most ice-time amongst forwards. Yeah, even more than Kesler and the Sedins. His play on Kesler's first goal was awesome: won the battle on the boards behind the net and then made a nice pass up and across to Garrison on the point.

- Kassian was inserted back into the line-up but made up one third of the 4th line, joining Dalpe and Sestito. Needless to say, this unit wasn't really a factor.

*Edler left shortly after the 1st period with a lower-body injury. Right after the game Torts said he didn't have any details but at the moment they're treating it as day-to-day.


Another successful road trip, 3-1-0 this time. Don't know why we can't get it done at home, but we'll more tries starting Friday when the Coyotes visit Rogers Arena.

This post was edited by LuLer on Dec 4 2013 06:49am

iso moar booth development

fuck I've missed so many games this year, got to change that

Kesler

Me too.

I think Ive watched 3.

What would you give for a legitimate top6 forward?
Somebody who could actually be a threat, or help create a 2nd line that would be a threat behind the Sedins

e: Also, who

This post was edited by chreeeis on Dec 5 2013 12:42am

Kassian, Booth

Wouldn't give up anymore than that.

Booth is inconsistent af.

I had high hopes for Kassian but Torts is just pushing him into the ground.

Too late to be giving up picks and high end prospects.

If booth can be more consistent, Burrows.

This post was edited by Farine on Dec 5 2013 01:00am

And what kind of player would you be looking for in return? For that package