Posts Tagged ‘Vancouver Canucks’

Next – Blackhawks vs. Canucks series review

May 12th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Luongo exits stage left (AP Photo)

Oh man, this feels good. The Blackhawks ousted those Canucks from the playoffs for the second year in a row. To paraphrase Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk, there are some very happy humans in Chicago with an extra bounce in their step today. What warms my heart the most is that Ryan Kesler was virtually invisible for the entire series. Anyways, the semi-final round between (2) Blackhawks and (3) Canucks is in the books, so here’s your series review.

Game #1 – Canucks 5, Blackhawks 1 Not the way the Blackhawks wanted to start the semi-final series against a good Vancouver team. It was so bad that there was a Cristobal Huet sighting. It was so bad I don’t want to write about the game beyond this point. Canucks took series lead 1-0

Game #2 – Blackhawks 4, Canucks 2 Five minutes into the game the Blackhawks were down 2-0, but Antti Niemi stopped the bleeding and settled down after Brent Seabrook scored seven minutes into the game. The Blackhawks learned they need to create traffic in front of the net in order to beat Roberto Luongo. Patrick Sharp’s shorthanded goal gave his team the spark they needed to steal this game from the Canucks. Seabrook and Sharp would have been better candidates for the ‘First Star’ over Kris Versteeg. Blackhawks tied series up at 1-1

Game #3 – Blackhawks 5, Canucks 2 Coach Q continued to put pressure on the Canucks’ defense and goaltender in Game #2. He moved Dustin Byfuglien back to forward (fourth line in Game #1, defense in Game #2) on the first line with Toews and Kane. It worked. Byfuglien notched a hat trick, and played the best game of his young career. He was physical, determined and battled in front of the net for rebounds. Blackhawks took series lead 2-1

Game #4 – Blackhawks 7, Canucks 4 Captain Serious, Jonathan Toews, followed Byfuglien’s hat trick with one of his own. He had a total of five points in the win. It was made possible due to the attention Vancouver paid to Byfuglien due to his performance in the previous game. I died a little inside admitting that. The Canucks were undisciplined, and the Blackhawks capitalized by scoring on four of the eight power-play opportunities. Blackhawks up 3-1

Game #5 – Canucks 4, Blackhawks 1 The Blackhawks abandoned the style of play that allowed them to beat the Canucks in the last three games. They didn’t create much traffic in front of Luongo, and he had an easy night in net. Blackhawks still up 3-2

Game #6 – Blackhawks 5, Canucks 1 My unhealthy obsession with Troy Brouwer has been well documented in tens of posts on this very blog, and last night my boy Troy tugged at everyone’s heart strings when he scored the first goal of the game. He hasn’t been the same player since he missed the final four games of the season to be with his ailing father. Troy, I know you don’t read this crappy blog, but my thoughts are with you and your family. Blackhawks win series 4-2

Next up, Coach Q will prepare his squad for the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Final showdown. This was where the Blackhawks made their exit last year. Thanks to the Sharks, there won’t be a rematch against the Evil Doers of Detroit (sarcasm-o-meter at zero). At the time this was written, the date and time for Game #1 between the Sharks and Blackhawks isn’t set. We must be patient and wait for the East to finish the second round games. The NHL could learn something from the NBA when it comes to post-season scheduling.

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I can only think of Byfuglien’s trade value

May 7th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images

The American-born Dustin Byfuglien re-introduced himself to the Canucks last night in the Blackhawks 5-2 win in Game #3. He played the best game of any Blackhawk this season, and easily the best game of his career. Byfuglien was a one-man wrecking ball on the ice Wednesday night. He went to the corners hard to win puck-battles, crashed the net for rebounds and used his size to intimidate. As a result, he notched a hat trick. Playing on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane didn’t hinder his performance.

It seems as though Byfuglien can only play up to this level once a year. Luckily for the Blackhawks that one time a year coincides with the semi-final round of the playoffs (see series preview, intangibles).

Being a big picture kind of guy, I can’t help but think of Byfuglien’s trade value when has those rare games where he puts it all together. What his trade value would be is beyond me, but it couldn’t be much higher than it is right now. Maybe, I’m just a dreamer. I do spend an inappropriate amount of time fantasizing about general managers sitting at a conference table with their scouts, assistant general managers and assistants to the general managers putting together a pitch for Byfuglien’s services in the off-season. Most of the time it happens to be Brian Burke sitting at one end of the imaginary conference table.

I should probably qualify my opinion of the big guy by informing those who stumbled upon this site for the first time, I’m not a member of the Dustin Byfuglien fan club. I’ve been known to successfully steer a friend or two away from purchasing a #33 jersey. My dislike of the Blackhawk forward/defenseman is fueled by the texts my dad sends me every time Byfuglien scores, on top of the fact that he is inconsistent and there are two or three more players on the Blackhawk roster that can already do his job better. I’m tired of the Byfuglien learning curve.

I know I’m not the only one who finds it hard to watch Byfuglien play productive hockey. The only thing I think about is why we don’t see this more often. The last time Byfuglien made a difference in a game was when he turned on the afterburners to beat Rangers’ defender Matt Gilroy to tally a game winning overtime goal.

For the sake of the organization I hope he keeps playing well for a couple reasons. If he continues to play like he did in Game #3, Byfuglien will help the team advance in the post-season. His trade value will stay relatively high as well.

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Orca! – (2) Blackhawks vs. (3) Canucks preview

April 30th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

This is turning into a nice little rivalry. Ever since that bloody Sunday in March last season – the one where Alex Burrows tugged on Duncan Keith’s hair (not in a good way) – the two teams have played with an edge. Then there is the bad blood between Andrew Ladd and Ryan Kesler that dates back to when the Canucks and Blackhawks met in last year’s semi-final series – a series where the young Blackhawk team upset the Canucks and ousted them from the playoffs. Vancouver would love nothing more than to return the favor this time around. With the introduction out of the way, we move onto breaking down the second round (2) Blackhawks vs. (3) Canucks series.

Offense – The enemy led the West with 272 regular season goals, and the Blackhawks were in second with 271 goals. They also have this season’s Art Ross Trophy winner in Henrik Sedin, but our points leader has a mullet. Advantage: Blackhawks

Defense – Brian Campbell returned to the blue line in the first round series against the Predators, and the Blackhawks were 3-0 since. Coincidence, I think not. The Blackhawks are a complete core. Campbell is the puck-mover, Keith is a good two-way defenseman, Seabrook is the hitter, Hjalmarsson is the smart one and Sopel is great in the defensive zone. The Canucks aren’t as versatile on defense. After facing the Predators defensive core, the Canucks will be a cake walk. Advantage: Blackhawks

Goaltending – Roberto Luongo is viewed as one of the better goalies in the game these days, but has never won any major hardware. Antti Niemi has better numbers this post-season, but Bobby Lou is Bobby Lou. Advantage: Canucks

Special Teams – I assume you already know about how good the Blackhawks penalty kill has been this season and in the first round. Against the Predators the kill was successful twenty-seven of twenty-eight times, and Patrick Kane added the notorious Game #5 shortie. The Canucks power-play unit has been good in the regular and post-season, but can they have to get past Brent Sopel first. Advantage: Blackhawks

Coaching – Let’s make this one short. This is the eleventh post-season appearance for Coach Q, and the Canucks’ Alain Vigneault is a noob in comparison in his fourth. Advantage: Blackhawks

Intangibles – I added this section to the preview in hopes of writing about the Green Men. An homage to one of my favorite television shows. However, Dustin Byfuglien will move back to forward for the semi-finals. There are a few people who think the Blackhawks wouldn’t have won the series last year if Byfuglien didn’t own the space between Roberto Luongo’s ears. They could have used another body in front of the net against Nashville. Advantage: Blackhawks

Prediction – Blackhawks win in seven

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Blackhawks 6, Canucks 3

March 6th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Just the way I like Bobby Lou

Once upon a time, there was a time I liked Ryan Kesler. But that was long ago – well, before he made those remarks about our boy, Andrew Ladd. Earlier today, Mr. Kesler backed off his “Ladd is a coward” comment. Anyway, Ladd took care of business thirty-seven seconds into the game. The two shoved, swapped swings resulting in two minutes in the box each. The early exchange set the tempo for the game – there were four fighting majors.

Seeing Roberto Luongo chased from the game after one period of play was extremely satisfying. The Blackhawks scored five goals on him in the first period, and scored once on his replacement, Andrew Raycroft. Thirteen ‘Hawks tallied at least one point in last night’s 6-3 victory over the Canucks. Even Jordan Hendry took part in the scoring – his first goal of the season – and an assist.

Cristobal Huet was himself in net last night. He made a highlight reel save, then followed that up with a softy he let in to Kesler in the first. He saved twenty of the twenty-three shots the Canucks were limited to.

Next up, the Blackhawks host the Red Wings at the United Center this Sunday. No love will be lost in that one.

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Coward? Them Fighting Words

January 24th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Ryan Kesler said of Andrew Ladd in a post-game radio interview:

“He’s a coward and that’s the way it is. It started last year in the playoffs. He hit me, cross-checked me in the face when I wasn’t looking. At least he was man enough to hit me when I was looking this time.”

Well Mr. Kesler, I deem you the coward. Ladd and Kesler squared off late in the first after the Canucks had a 3-0 lead. Neither is known to drop the gloves. According hockeyfights.com Ladd had no prior fights this season and Kesler had one (fight below).

Ladd landed a punch early, and Kesler bailed on the fight by lifting Ladd’s leg to bring him to the ground. He knew the refs would break them up once they were on the ice-surface, and that is a cowardly act.

The next time the two teams play on March 5th no one will remember the score, or that Antti Niemi was pulled after one period. The bad blood between the Blackhawks and Canucks is well known to the fans of each team, and goes back to last season. Kesler’s accusation is just another item on the list as to why these teams hate each other.

Ladd will have the March date of their next game circled on his calendar, yet again he might have the ability to let this one go, unlike Mr. Kesler.

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Canucks 3, Blackhawks 2

October 22nd, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Everything was going well last night vs. the Canucks until Jonathan Toews was pummeled into next week by defenseman Willie Mitchell. It was a clean open-ice hit early in the third period by the Canuck. Mitchell had just left the penalty box after the Blackhawks were yet again unable to convert with the two-man advantage before he lit up Toews. It appeared as though any wind the Blackhawks had in their sails died when Captain Toews, and Brent Seabrook left the game in the third as well.

Although being out played for most of the game, up to that point the Blackhawks managed a 2 – 1 lead. It was largely due to a solid game by Antti Niemi in goal. Vancouver was able to capitalize on the turn of events, however, scoring on the power play and on a Patrick Kane turnover in the defensive zone. It was the first game that the ‘Hawks had been out-shot this season.

Loses suck. They really suck when they are against at team like the Vancouver Canucks who seem to have the Blackhawks’ blood boiling ever since the one-ice melee late last season at the United Center. The ‘Hawks did boot them from the playoffs last year, but it would have been sweet to take the first game between the two clubs on the year.

Looking forward, if Toews or Seabrook miss any games due to the injuries sustained from last night’s match-up, the Blackhawks will be in trouble. Designating more bodies to the injured reserve would be a huge blow to the team. Early reports have stated that the two shouldn’t miss any playing time as a result of the injuries that forced them from last night’s game.

The Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild at home in their next two games – two teams that are struggling to generate offense. I wouldn’t be surprised if Coach Quenneville opts to start Cristobal Huet in those favorable match-ups. If Huet performs well in front of the hostile home crowd, it would be a great confidence boost for a man that appears to lack any at all.

Huet could also get the start in Nashville next Thursday as well, with Niemi in net the next night at home vs. the Montreal Canadiens.

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