Canucks @ Stars Post Game

Canucks 4 Stars 1

Another strong performance by the whole team, something that seems to be a trend to this years Canucks team. When they win big they win as a team.

Everyone's eyes were on Cody Hodgson and in my opinion he did exactly what he was supposed to do. The role of the fourth line needs to be keeping the puck in the offensive zone on a consistent basis and not giving up any chances to the other team. That is exactly what the fourth line did last night. They spent most of the time in Dallas' zone and were able to throw a few hits. Even Hodgson got in a few good forechecking hits. On the PP he was typically going hard to the net where he had one really strong chance that Lehtonen had to make a very good save on. It's good to see Hodgson willing to head to the net, the second PP unit clearly needs an upgrade and he has a chance to be that player. I'd like to see him set up a bit more on the half-boards and use his passing skills to create on the PP but if he's going to the net I don't mind that much. The one thing I didn't like from his game was his lack strength in the faceoff circle 2/9 is not very good and he'll need to improve there. Other than the faceoffs I thought his first game was very successful. If he continues to play solid consistent games I think he'll get a shot on the 2nd line.

Good to see the special teams step up when needed. The PP was doing a great job of getting shots through from the point. I think the PP works best when they use the point to spread the opponents PK out giving the Twins room to work down low. The penalty kill did a good job but they had a reasonable amount of help from Schneider. Schneider's play on the PK was very solid. He was moving nicely from post to post and reacting to the play very nicely keeping the PK at an effective level. The one thing I didn't like seeing was their lack of effort on the clearing attempts. Numerous time I caught myself yelling at the tv "common" or "get that out", against a team with a more lethal PP they could have cost themselves a few more goals by not clearing the puck properly. The short handed goal was a bonus and a great play set up by Hansen.

Ryan Kesler, what can you say about him, he's in third place in the NHL in goals scored. That's something no one can say they expected this season. Not only is he third in the league but he's one up on Daniel Sedin. What a season he is putting together and if the team should be learning one thing from him it's that a lot of his goals are coming from the dirty spots in front of the net.

Schneider did a great job giving Luongo a break and letting him take on Phoenix well rested. It was good to see the team get Schneider a few goals this game after giving him zero goals in his last two starts. He seems to be owning Dallas and who knows what will happen come playoff time but if the two teams meet I wouldn't be shocked if Luongo was to falter that AV would turn to Schneider. I've never realised till this season what a luxury it is to have a capable backup goalie who can play against any team in the NHL. Luongo is still the #1 and will be this whole season but Schneider will push him all year.

Great team game and a good W but it won't be a successful trip without more points. The team earned top spot in the NHL again last night and it would be great to keep that going.

Follow me on Twitter @bmah03 for update of pregame coming up.

Comment Below.