Meet Your 2011 Vancouver Canucks

Bring On The Hawks

Another year, another showdown with the Hawks.

For a third consecutive post-season, the two Western Conference rivals will have to battle each other in order to move on in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The difference this year, however, is that they are meeting in the first round, as opposed to the second round like in years past. Different round, same goal. But will this year be any different?

Sure, the Canucks are a much different team than they have been the last two seasons, but are the Blackhawks still in their heads? Can they overcome the haunting memories of how immature and inferior Chicago made them look last year? Are proven playoff warriors like Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith going to step it up in the second season like they have in the past and prove too much to handle for Vancouver?

These are all valid questions.

On the other hand, Chicago has obviously lost a lot of depth this year and don't have the likes of Canuck killer Dustin Byfuglien and Ryan Kesler's key agitator Andrew Ladd in their lineup. They squeaked into the playoffs on the last game of the season (with help) and aren't necessarily playing their best hockey of the season right now.

Or, will the fact that the Hawks have been essentially playing playoff hockey for the last two weeks while the Canucks have been coasting to a seemingly easy President's Trophy mean that Chicago will be more prepared for the war that ensues?

I can't answer these questions, only time can.

I can tell you this, though. This year's version of the Vancouver Canucks seem to be a much different, better team. Despite suffering massive injuries to almost every key defensemen throughout the year, the Canucks managed to allow the fewest goals against this season. They dressed 13 defensemen this year - far more than any other team had to - and they used many of them for long periods of time. Vancouver's game on Saturday against the Calgary Flames (a 3-2 OT win in case any of you Flames fans out there forgot) marked the first game all season that the Canucks had their top six defensemen in the lineup. When healthy, the Vancouver defense is better than any other defensive corps in the league on paper. Regardless of which pairing is on the ice, you can feel comfortable knowing that there will always be two steady, veteran defensemen out there.

Edler Ehrhoff
Hamhuis Bieksa
Ballard Salo


Not only did they lead the league in goals against, they also led the NHL in goals for and have three of the most lethal players in the league in the Sedins and Kesler. These are the guys that need to prove themselves in the playoffs though, as their past performances have left something to be desired. If they can continue to produce the way they did in the regular season, and they can get some secondary scoring throughout the bottom six, the Canucks should have no problem scoring goals.

And maybe the biggest difference between last year's team and this year's team is the play of Vezina candidate Roberto Luongo. Luongo has been a different goalie this year and with help from goalie coach Rollie Melanson and the erased pressure of being the captain, he should most certainly be better this time around. Heck, he doesn't have to deal with big Dustin Bufflin' this year either.

There just seems to be this air of maturity and confidence in this team that we haven't seen in the past. The consistency of their play all year and how they never seemed to take the pedal off the gas (save for the little hiccups with the Oilers last week)proves that they are a more determined bunch this season. In year's past, we would have lost some of those meaningless games towards the end of the season while this year, they are just straight business.

Could this be the year?

But let's not forget, the Blackhawks are still a very dangerous team. They know how to win and what it takes to endure a deep playoff run. This is not a team to take lightly. Their top 6 forwards and defense are as good as anyone's and Corey Crawford has been solid between the pipes all season long. Despite some significant losses from last year's roster, they still have Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. All of these guys are seriously lethal and they all have good playoff resumes. Throw in a solid defense led by Keith, Brent Seabrook and Brian Campbell and Chicago's lineup is still in the upper echelon of the league. An underachieving team making the playoffs on the last day of the season can be a dangerous matchup for anyone, just see the Philadelphia Flyers of last year.

Will the Blackhawks be this year's version of that Philly team?

Expect some fireworks people, and getcha' popcorn ready. I'll have your answers within the next two weeks.