Canucks @ Stars Pre Game

Canucks @ Stars, SNET-P, TEAM 1040, 5:30PM

Recently the Canucks and Dallas have met twice in the last month, once in Dallas and once in Vancouver. The scores were 4-1 and 7-1 respectively. I think most of us can agree that Schneider stole the first game in Dallas. He played incredible and along with the PP was the only reasons the team was able to win that game. He made 44 saves on 45 shots for a .978 SV%. The second game in Vancouver was a little different as the whole team showed up to blow out the Stars. Luongo played good but the team steam rolled the Stars.

Tonight Schneider gets another go at the Stars in Dallas. The team will look for him to bounce back from losses in his last two starts. His last two starts haven't really been that bad. The team in front of him has really let him down, they have scored a whopping zero goals against both the Wild and the Rangers. The game against the Rangers Schneider did everything he could to keep him team in it losing 1-0. He's still been having a very strong season this year and I expect him to have another good game in Dallas tonight.

Obviously everyone wants to talk Cody Hodgson for this game, in my opinion I don't think he'll be a difference maker tonight. It's his first NHL game and there is a ton of pressure on him that the team is trying to get rid of. They are easing him in on the road as the fourth line centre. He will have the opportunity to work his way up to the 2nd line this season if he plays well but there is no expectations from the team.

According to Mike Halford and Jason Brough of the Province Hodgson has all the pressure in the world on him tonight. Their article is pretty much a joke in my opinion and I am shocked that they could even watch hockey but check it out here. http://www.theprovince.com/sports/pressure+right+Hodgson+prove+himself/4200973/story.html

They are saying that Hodgson is getting old (at 21) and it was obvious to everyone that at 21 Kesler and the Sedin's were on their way to "superstardom". Are you joking me? At age 21 Kesler had 10 goals and 13 assist for 23 points, even at age 23 Kesler had 21 goals 16 assists for 37 points. Most Canucks fans were saying that the Canucks missed in the draft on Mike Richards who was picked one pick later than Kesler in the '03 draft. Richards at age 23 had 28 goals 47 assists for 75 points. "Superstardom" is a word I still wouldn't associate with Kesler. He's a star in the NHL but he's still not a "superstar". There are very few "superstars" in most sports. "Superstar" is a word I would give to the current NHL MVP, Henrik Sedin. At age 21, Henrik was thought to have potential to become a star with his brother Daniel, which is why they were drafted so high. However they didn't prove their potential for years. From age 24-25 Henrik jumped from a 42 point season to a 75 point season. My point is that these two writers saying that "If Hodgson can't make a significant impact tonight against the Stars while skating on a line with Tanner Glass then Mike Gillis needs to start exploring trade options because enough is enough." is a complete joke. As fans we need to take the approach the team is taking, ease Hodgson in and let him develop. He's still very young and has the ability to be a great player in the NHL. He will probably get some time on the 2nd PP unit tonight which is where we should see his creativity. He will add an element to that unit that is missing right now and could make Canucks already dangerous PP even more lethal. Only time will tell with Hodgson, be patient.

The rest of the offense has been a bit inconsistant recently and it would be nice to see everyone start pitching in. The Twins are the Twins and will get points most games, however the 2nd and 3rd lines need to start pitching in. The one game against the Stars has been a bit of an exception of late where everyone was getting on the score sheet. We will need to see more of that tonight and throughout the rest of the year.

We all know about the depth the Canucks had going into this season, tonight it will be tested with the injuries to Edler, Salo, Rome and Alberts. Tanev and Sweatt will be back in the lineup tonight and will have to continue to just keep things simple. The top four guys will need to step up including Ballard who will be playing a lot more minutes than he has been playing this season.

The team should be well rested coming off the All-Star break and if they can jump on Dallas early they have a chance at another blow out.

Go Canucks Go.

Twitter me @bmah03

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