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GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98FM

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:58 am
by dmiles2186
For the love of God, someone please score. And while they're at it, someone else can score. Maybe even a 3rd or 4th person could score. NEED GOALS.
CANUCKS (24-12-6) at BLUES (23-16-2)

TV: SNET-P, FS-SW

Last 10: Vancouver 7-3-0, St. Louis 6-4-0

Season series: This is the third of three meetings and the first in St. Louis. The Vancouver Canucks hold a slight edge in the season series so far, losing the first meeting 4-3 in a shootout on Feb. 17, and winning 3-2 on March 19.

Big story: The Canucks and St. Louis Blues finished 1-2 in the NHL standings last season, but are still looking to find their identity as the playoffs approach later this month.

Tinkering with the lineup, Vancouver seemed to find something Monday with a new-look second line featuring centers Ryan Kesler and Derek Roy playing together. The duo combined with Jannik Hansen for two goals and five points in a 5-2 win against the injury-ravaged Nashville Predators, but things figure to be a lot tougher against a St. Louis squad that has been incredibly stingy since adding defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold before the trade deadline.

A single point separates the Blues from the ninth-place Columbus Blue Jackets after consecutive losses over the weekend.

Team Scope:

Canucks: There was a lot of debate in Vancouver about the Canucks trying to load up a second line by moving Kesler to right wing for Monday’s game. It was a possibility floated by Canucks management after they acquired Roy from the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline, and again by coach Alain Vigneault when they lined up in practice Sunday with Kesler and Alexandre Burrows flanking Roy.

In addition to flying in the face of finally solving their lack of quality NHL centers, Kesler didn’t seem enamored with the idea of moving to the wing, dismissing the suggestion he played his best hockey alongside Mats Sundin four years ago.

Instead, it was Roy who moved over to the left wing, with Hansen on the right side and Burrows staying on the top line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

“We’re just trying to find some chemistry with the lines and I am just trying to fit in anywhere I can. If it’s going to be on the wing, if it's going to be goalie, wherever I can contribute it's going to be nice for wins,” Roy said during the intermission of a 5-2 win in which the line had two goals. “Just try to keep my game simple, get the puck out as quickly as possible and make plays in the offensive zone.”

Goaltender Cory Schneider will be back in net, possibly for the final six games of the season, after Roberto Luongo made 36 saves against the Predators.

Blues: It’s a good thing goaltender Brian Elliott has been so good of late for St. Louis because the Blues are struggling to do anything at the other end of the rink.

Elliott’s three-game shutout streak allowed St. Louis to win three straight despite scoring just four goals, but anything less than perfection in goal hasn’t been good enough for a Blues’ team that was shut out by the Chicago Blackhawks in a 2-0 loss on Sunday. It was the second straight loss for St. Louis, which has scored five goals in the past five games.

The Blues’ power play is 3-for-43 over the past 16 games.

“We’re in a position to shoot the puck, we stick handle it, try to put it through someone’s legs, five seconds later it’s in our net,” coach Ken Hitchcock said. “Not the way you’re going to win against good teams. You’re going to have to funnel everything. You’re going to have to put pucks and bodies on the net and continue in that mind-set. It’s going to be no different against Vancouver.”

Who’s hot: Vancouver defenseman Dan Hamhuis extended his points streak to six games with an assist Monday, giving him two goals and four assists during that stretch. Fellow defenseman Jason Garrison scored for a second-straight game and now has two goals and four assists in his past six games, as well as a team-leading plus-17 rating. Kesler scored twice and now has three goals and five points in four games since coming back from a broken bone in his foot. Henrik and Daniel Sedin each had two assists against Nashville, giving the top-line twins 18 points in the past six games – 10 for Henrik and eight for Daniel. … Elliott’s three-game shutout streak was snapped at 214 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Chicago on Sunday, but he’s still won five of six after accepting a conditioning stint in the American Hockey League, giving up six goals since.

Injury report: Vancouver is expected to be without David Booth (ankle), Chris Higgins (knee) and Chris Tanev (ankle). … St. Louis forward T.J. Oshie (foot) skated with the team Monday, but remains questionable. Jamie Langenbrunner (hip), Scott Nichol (lower body) and Jaroslav Halak (groin) all skated on Monday, but are unlikely to play.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:37 am
by DaDitka
This is a BIG game, we've got to get this thing fired up again. Columbus is in 9th only one point behind us and what once looked like a very easy schedule down the stretch is now littered with a Dallas team that's won five of it's last six and a two games against Colorado who have at least one point in each of their last four games.

We've got to right this ship TONIGHT!

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:39 am
by sseagle
You spelled vanqueerver wrong.

(Frank) Vancouver, (Frank) alien twins, (Frank) louongo and his greasy hair.

Need to win and fast. Skate on the neck!

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:17 am
by fargoblues
sseagle wrote:You spelled vanqueerver wrong.

(Frank) Vancouver, (Frank) alien twins, (Frank) louongo and his greasy hair.

Need to win and fast. Skate on the neck!
I am hard pressed to find better words to say than this.

I am also in recovery after listening to those cock gargling announcers on Sunday. Sadly, JK and Pang will be an improvement.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:17 am
by dmiles2186
Hitch confirms that Jaskin makes his debut tonight.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:19 am
by cardsfan04
Strickland is saying that Oshie had a screw put in his ankle and will be out a few more days. Hopefully that's not as bad as it sounds.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:02 am
by Kreegz2
In almost every one of our games this year, we come out hard and fast with a great first period, but usually don't put the puck in the net for a variety of reasons including our own stone-handedness and good performances by opposing goalkeepers. We then begin to sit back or just plain lose our legs gradually throughout the rest of the game. We need to pot a couple in the first tonight. Get the Barn rocking.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:09 pm
by cprice12
dmiles2186 wrote:Hitch confirms that Jaskin makes his debut tonight.
I'm excited to finally watch this kid. :okman:

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:07 pm
by sseagle
cardsfan04 wrote:Strickland is saying that Oshie had a screw put in his ankle and will be out a few more days. Hopefully that's not as bad as it sounds.
Oshie is an old pro at screwing things, keep your pantaloons on.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 3:57 pm
by philco_3
If they dont win tonight, we'll be seeing them on the golf course in 2 weeks.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:42 pm
by Nyghtewynd
Hey, look! 1.5 periods of dominance, zero goals, VAN gets a power play, and we're behind. Film at 11.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:46 pm
by gaijin
Nyghtewynd wrote:Hey, look! 1.5 periods of dominance, zero goals, VAN gets a power play, and we're behind. Film at 11.
You forgot to mention the call on Sobotka being complete crap. I knew as soon as they called it that VAN was going to score.

This game will end 1-0.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:20 pm
by gaijin
gaijin wrote:
Nyghtewynd wrote:Hey, look! 1.5 periods of dominance, zero goals, VAN gets a power play, and we're behind. Film at 11.
You forgot to mention the call on Sobotka being complete crap. I knew as soon as they called it that VAN was going to score.

This game will end 1-0.
And I gladly take it back. :wink:

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:59 pm
by dmiles2186
This would be a fun 3-6 matchup. Hooooooooly cripes what an intense game.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 9:05 pm
by theohall
Blues win!!!

And can still barely score goals. Too bad they don't have shootouts in the playoffs with the way Steen and MacDonald are burying those. j/k

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 9:29 pm
by Kreegz2
Beautiful game by Backes. That is how a Captain in the National Hockey League is supposed to play. Tough, Nasty, and Pissed off. Well deserving of the #1 star. Shades of Pronger right there.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:11 pm
by tjk002
Ok, just got home from the game. Anyone know the face off stats? Backes seemed to win everyone he took. If I ever see AMac take a defensive draw like he did against Chicago, Hitch needs to be fired ASAP. Backes owned the draws amongst other things. Guy left it all on the ice. Sure zero goals, but if Peron, AMac, etc played with his heart, this team would be unreal!

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:50 pm
by Oaklandblue
I will never, ever, question the heart of David Backes ever. Ever. Again. He's Captain and no one on this team and very few on any other could play with so much heart and grit that he did tonight. OMG. He can keep the C. JayBo keeps showing how much of a damn stud he is and Leopold ain't no slouch. Finally, we're getting somewhere :D.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 7:08 am
by cprice12
tjk002 wrote:Ok, just got home from the game. Anyone know the face off stats? Backes seemed to win everyone he took. If I ever see AMac take a defensive draw like he did against Chicago, Hitch needs to be fired ASAP. Backes owned the draws amongst other things. Guy left it all on the ice. Sure zero goals, but if Peron, AMac, etc played with his heart, this team would be unreal!
Perron played with a lot of heart last night. He was in the middle of everything, he was fiesty around the net, and he worked his ass off.
You can say a lot of things about Perron's decision making, but he works hard.

Re: GDT #42: 4/16/13 > Blues vs Canucks > 7:00 PM > FSMW/Y98

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 7:18 am
by DaDitka
tjk002 wrote:Ok, just got home from the game. Anyone know the face off stats? !
Backes 15-21 71%

Bergie 8-13 62%

Mandy Mac 6-12 50%

Sobotka 4-12 33%

Steen 1-1

Swartz 1-1

Reves 2-2

Porter 2-4