Canucks 3 Ducks 4
Last nights game was the Canuck's first regulation loss at home in 15 games. They've clearly been playing good and have earned being the top team in the NHL. Last night however there was a few things that really concerned me.
I'll start with the obvious, more injury troubles for the Canucks defense. Dan Hamhuis going down is a big loss for not only the team but Kevin Bieksa. Hamhuis has been Bieksa's anchor and it would be very bad to see him go out for a long time. Last night it was reported that Hamhuis' wife was called in to pick him up from the arena. To me this is a good thing because him not going to the hospital should mean it wasn't a serious concussion. I could see him being out a couple games but I would say he will most likely be declared day-to-day tomorrow. As per the hit, my first reaction was that it was dirty. I will stick with that reaction but would like to explain myself a bit. I think it's dirty because Getzlaf saw that play developing and could have let up. Getzlaf is an edgy player and I think he crossed the line a bit on the hit. I do not think there should be a suspension at all, I wouldn't even consider it a suspendable hit. I do think that a roughing or boarding penalty should have been called though. Yes Hamhuis was turning his back to the play but he was doing so to make a pass, not to turn away from the hit. To make a pass in the direction he needed to go he had to turn that way, Getzlaf should have seen this and let up on his hit. The puck was gone there was no need to lay the body on him except for the point of hitting his man. Like I said, dirty for the reason he could have avoided a player being put in a dangerous position.
The second and most important thing I noticed yesterday was the lack of physical presence the Canucks have in their top nine. This to me is a huge problem because what Anaheim showed the Canuck's last night was playoff hockey. They were hitting anyone that moved and the top six forwards couldn't hold up to it. I do think the Twins will be fine, they are strong players and they have a gritty player in Burrows on the wing. However the second and third line seemed very weak to me. Kesler is fine, he will show up come playoff time and is plenty big enough. Samuelsson has seen the playoffs and knows what to bring. I really like Raymond but I am worried he will get pushed around in a physical game like he did last night. There are some guys out there who might fit on the 2nd line a little better right now and to me I really hope that Gillis will go out and get one. As Peter Tessier wrote in his blog on Hockeybuzz, Andrew Burnette could be available and he would be one of my top targets. The other is Okposo I don't know what the price will be for a top 6 big winger but to me that's what this team needs. I would give up quite a bit for Okposo because of his RFA status. If Gillis could find a way to get Okposo and Konopka from the Islanders I would be thrilled. I would be willing to move Raymond + Any prospect not named Hodgson, Schroeder and Connauton. Yes I would even include Tanev although I'd like to keep him if we could. Any draft pick is available as long as the right player is coming back that we can sign long term. A line up that looks like the following would be much better and stronger in the playoffs.
Daniel Hank Burrows
Samuelsson Kesler Okposo
Hansen Malholtra Hodgson
Torres Konopka Glass
I know that's a stretch to get Okposo, but you get the idea. We need to get bigger. Also notice that I moved Torres down to the fourth line. He can be a difference maker physically and get streaky offensively but the slump he is in right now he needs to be moved to the fourth line and keep his game simple. That fourth line will not make many mistakes and will be strong and really annoying to play against. I'm not a cap wizard but I think the Canucks can find a way to make this work with the injuries they have right now.
Finally the last thing that I didn't like about this game is something I've already touched on. The third line really needs to step it up. Two veteran guys on this team in Malholtra and Torres are really struggling. Even when they have clear lanes to the net the are taking weak shots hitting the goalies in the chest. They need to keep it simple and start driving to the net and getting some ugly goals.
Wasn't Schneider's best game but it wasn't his fault at all. I'd like to see him get a few more W's the team owes him a few.
Once the team woke up they played alright, but there's no excuse for not playing 60 minutes no matter what.
Good job by Daniel working his way back into striking distance of Stamkos for the scoring race. It's Daniel's to win right now with Crosby out he will need to step up another level along with his brother down the stretch run. Should be fun to watch.
Calgary on Saturday. Pregame will probably be up tomorrow with a Hamhuis
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