YourHuckleberry

He didn’t ignore it. He was suggesting that perhaps the Canucks got the benefit of the doubt on a borderline too many men call because of the blatant miss on the high sticking call that would’ve put them on 4 minute power play . Given that the refs are human, he might not be wrong.

Most pundits share your perspective. However, I think there are a couple of flaws with this reasoning: 1. The Canucks have proven they can score when healthy. Not going to look up their Goals For, but I’d bet they’re in or near the top third of the league. Yes, they didn’t score as much against Nashville because of how Nashville plays the game (i.e forcing dump-one with a strong puck handling goaltender that can regularly cut-off the dump-in, 5 man collapse to the front of the net if possession lost in defensive end, full buy-in to shot blocking, etc). However, the Oilers are not Nashville and do not play the same shot-stifling style. I expect our offensive leaders will have more space and time to create offence in this series. 2. Comparing the Oilers’ record against the Kings to the Canucks’ record against the Kings is meaningless. The Oilers, Canucks and Kings are different teams with their own strengths and weaknesses. With different strengths and weaknesses, different teams match up better against others. In other words, rock beating scissors and scissors beating paper does not mean that rock will beat paper. When looking at historical performance of the Oilers against the Canucks, I think there is reason for optimism. Although the Canucks have not yet seen Knob’s version of the Oilers with McDavid in the lineup, the Oilers’ personnel remains largely unchanged and, so far this season, that personnel has had a lot of difficulty penetrating the middle of the ice in the Canucks’ end. If the Canucks can limit rush chances and power plays against, it will be the Oilers who struggle to score. I’m just an amateur watching from my couch though, so what do I know, but here’s hoping that I am right

Fortunately, the team’s resolve is much better than its fanbase’s and they’re the ones that have to execute on the ice. All we have to do is give them our full support, sit back and enjoy the ride - one day, we might just witness some magic.

I think Petey has a lower body injury that’s affecting his mobility. He seems like he has lost a couple of steps, and is slower to react than normal. He’s still getting to the blue paint though - it’s a matter of time before he gets a greasy one. Excited for the third - hope the good guys can close these whiners out!

I agree with you. But yelling at the refs is like booing Bettman - it’s just part of the experience of being a hockey fan at this point.

I think it’s less about the selling of the ticket and more about the choice to publicly state they do not believe in the team. “Spineless waste of skin” may be a bit extreme but I agree with the sentiment that the person appears to be lacking fortitude.

Canucks in 5

Also, who is trading a player that signed just a year prior and proceeded to score 40ish goals and become popular in the room and with the fans, without giving that player an opportunity to adapt under the new coach? Even if you thought there was a good chance the player couldn’t adapt, you would lose so much trust with your players and fans if you traded him last summer. If he adapts, he’s the player you want on the wing in top 6 that you would be hoping you’d get in any return, so why not just keep him and see how it goes? There was no mismanagement with Kuzmenko. He’s got the charisma and some skill, and I have a soft spot for him, but he will never be on a top team in this league unless he rounds out his skill set to be able to play reliably within a structure.

I think it’s a bit simplistic to say back to backs are inherently difficult. However, I agree that they appear to affect a team if it has to travel in between the games, or the second game starts early.

LA has had our number but I think with Demko, Lindholm and some tough lessons from the past losses they will figure out that they can’t play pretty hockey to beat them. Oilers are almost scary like the Avs but lack the defensive talent. Although the original question was about remaining regular season schedules, I think the Canucks can take either of the above in a seven game series. If the Canucks play the Avs, I think it would be a series where one of the big dogs on the Avs makes a compelling case for the Conn Smythe.

Avs are the only team that scare me on either of those lists.

I’m not sure there’s much more to say about the refs tonight. Hopefully the team can dig a bit deeper next time the ice gets tilted. I know Petey has put up points against good teams this year but he looked lost tonight, as did the PP. The team needs his competitive fire to burn come playoffs - he is so dynamic when he is feeling it.

These boards are one of the few online communities I’ve experienced where humanity still shines. @VegasCanuck, that won’t be the last W at your father’s side - his spirit will be with you forever. Make sure you savour the moment with him from time to time, especially when they finally hoist Lord Stanley’s cup.

Agreed. This team has shown they have elite skill but when other teams grind them out, it evens the playing field. It will be great to have Dak back but one more bigger bodied mucker who can bully his way to the net to cause some breakdowns in the defensive structure would go a long way. I also like Podz in his short stint but we need a big body that can get to the net consistently. I sometimes wonder if it’d be worth giving Zads the Byfuglien treatment in games like this. The guy can skate and has shown some hands, and you don’t have to think as much when you’re playing on your toes as a forward. Would hate to be the defender with him as F1 on the forecheck too.

How do you know they’re not trying to move him? Coming out and saying so would tank the value of the return. Maybe they need to pretend they’re trying to work with him to maintain any leverage in negotiations.