Another edition of our NHL three stars of the week. With a pair of wins to break out of their funk, the Canucks are starting to come around and play some decent hockey.

As usual, everything seems to hinge on one area of the ice, and the players in that zone have either been our first star or our worst performer. This week will finally break that trend.

Without further ado:

First Star -David Booth

Continuing his streak as a Canucks star. Another three points in three games for David Booth, an astounding thirteen shots on goal, and the general ability to create havoc in the offensive zone.

His speed, strength and vision on the ice allows him to be highly effective, and although is defensive abilities are somewhat suspect (still a -1 for the season) he makes up for it by leading that second line.

Second Star – Goaltending

Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider put together four quality games this week, and even though managed to lose half of them, they played very well. The Canucks were outshot in three of the four games, and the only reason they got the one point against Chicago was because of an astounding effort by Schneider.

The best stat to show how good they were? Schneiders 0.92 save percentage was the WORST by a Canucks goaltender this week. Impressive.

Another three points in three games for David Booth

Third Star – Alex Edler

Alex Edler added one goal and one assist this week to help the Canucks past the Blue Jackets and earn a much needed two points. He continues to be an offensive threat, particularly on the power play.

He makes Canucks fans forget the name of that other guy now playing for Buffalo for a large sum of money.

In fact, I don’t remember his name either. However, Edler does need some work on his, you know, defense. His +/- for the year is unimpressive.

However, he is such a force from the point in the offensive zone that his shortcomings around his own net are forgiveable.

Goal of the Week

It isn’t online yet, but Kevin Bieksa‘s goal last night against the Stars was B-E-A-Utiful. Great moves and nice hands by the blue collar defenceman.

Of course the best goal was the Edler goal, but we did an extensive post on it already, so I opted for something different.

Here’s our blog on the Alex Edler goal too!

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Another week, another tragedy. Right now, this team sucks.

It was challenging to find three standout players, so for this week lets call it “Canucks Three Less Than Awful Players of the Week”.

First LSAPOTW – Alex Burrows

Alex Burrows has been quiet all season, but this week his goal and assist against Phoenix helped keep an otherwise ugly game stay competitive. He’s got 20 goals and 24 assists this campaign, but the Canucks could use a little more from him come playoff time.

If he can deliver, they should tear up his contract and give a four year – $16 million deal to keep him around for the rest of his prime.

He loves Vancouver, we love him, and he will continue to improve as gains more experience in the league.

Second LSAPOTW – David Booth

David Booth continues to perform well in the second half of the season. With a pretty assist to set up the Canucks only goal against Montreal and a goal against the Coyotes, he is continuing to be one of the Canucks most reliable players. But his plus-minus is still on the wrong side of zero, and he hasn’t exactly been a defensive giant.

His offensive production is great, but it would be nice to see a littloe more on the other end.

He's got 20 goals and 24 assists this campaign

Third LSAPOTW – Henrik Sedin

He’s in this spot for the two assists he put up against the Coyotes, plus a generally strong effort. However, he’s been very average since the All-Star game, and if the Canucks want to contend for the cup, he needs to get back to form.

Overall, I haven’t been that impressed with Henrik Sedin, and it says a lot that hes the third star of the week.

Goal of the Week – NOT

Another week, and again no good goals. Oh but we let in another nine in two games. That’s fantasic. So in honor of our two awful losses, lets give the worst star of the week to: Roberto Luongo.

Another pair of awful performances. It’s not as though he’s got a lot of good will built up in this city.

Time to step it up or get used to spending time at the end of the bench.

Ok I found A Goal Of the Week For You (Burrows & Kesler vs. Phoenix)

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But here goes.

Being stuck in second gear - Ugly, ugly hockey these past two weeks. Several tragic losses to inferior teams, and only barely scraping out a win against the feel-good Jets.

It’s not all the Canucks who are playing badly, just Roberto Luongo, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Kevin Bieksa, Mason Raymond and Alex Burrows among other.

Oh wait?

THAT’S THE CORE OF OUR TEAM!

The Canucks are coasting (AGAIN) and unfortunately, there will be no consequences.

They could lose every remaining game and still win their division. That’s not skill, that’s luck.

Plus, our remaining schedule is full of cream puffs, so there’s not exactly a lot of motivation to start playing well before the playoffs. And considering how STACKED the west is right now, the Canucks could easily be upset in round one if they don’t find a way to step it up.

Bruins Fans

Oh what’s that I hear? Is that Bruins fans complaining that OTHER PLAYERS are roughing up their team? ARE YOU JOKING??

I have no sympathy.

This week's RANT

None.

I hope every Bruin suffers a Crosby-like concussion or has their knee caps shattered with a hammer. Whoops, sorry let me just put this can of bitter down.

Seriously though, there was an outcry about Malkin’s hit on Boychuck and the lack of suspension.

Sorry Bruins fans, you had it coming, and your lucky it was only Boychuck, and not one of your stars.

GM’s discussing the return of the red line

REALLY? We finally make hockey exciting again and suddenly you want to add back one of the old broken elements? Whooo good call whoever came up with that one! Morons. Seriously, there concern is correct.

Too many players are getting hurt coming through the neutral zone.

But you can prevent that BY ACTUALLY GROWING SOME BALLS AND HAVING THE LEAGUE SUSPEND PLAYERS PROPERLY!

Don’t slow the game down, punish the players who aren’t letting up on their headshots.

Fans whining, the Canucks coasting, injuries continuing and the league ignoring the big problems while heading for a second lockout in six years

Combining the first three points and thinking about what might (knock on wood) be happening next year is making me not like hockey at the moment. It’s not fun to watch. It’s not fun to hear about.

There’s too much drama and focus on the negatives, and not enough attention on great stories like the Blues, Predators and Jets.

Hockey has a recipe to become a much better, more popular sport, and instead all the parties are throwing the ingredients at the wall and screaming like a bunch of idiots.

Wake me up when its round two.

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For the week ending March 7th.

The Canucks did not cover themselves in glory for this edition. A pair of bad losses to two weaker teams, and a generally uninspired performance.

However, there were a few bright spots.

1. Zack Kassian

What?

His first week on the Canucks roster and he’s a first star?

This bodes well!

Gillis is a genius! Zack Kassian had a goal and an assist against his old team, and throughout both games he was a physical presence. If he keeps this up, pretty soon Canucks fans everywhere will all be saying “Cody who?”

The only downside: the media LOVES him. This is a bad thing.

Why?

It means if (when) he has a few bad games, it will hit him that much harder. But for now, he can bask in the glory of being a star in a hockey town.

2. David Booth

Two goals against Buffalo and a generally strong offensive performance. He’s showing off Mason Raymond like speed, except he’s got a much better shot and offensive instincts.

He creates tons of offensive chances in the zone and generally irritates the defense. If he can maintain his current level of production, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say the Canucks have the deepest top 6 in the NHL.

David Booth and Ryan Keslerwould be first liners on many teams. And that doesn’t even mention…

His first week on the Van-City roster and he's a first star?

3. Chris Higgins

Chris Higgins has been relatively quiet all season. He has 13 goals and and 21 assists in 56 games, which is good, but doesn’t stand out.

He doesn’t get onto the highlight reel very often, and he doesn’t make a lot of beautiful passes. He’s relatively unassuming, and generally doesn’t offer up many good quotes.

But he gets the job done, and that’s really all that counts.

Goal of the Week

Ummm. The Canucks didn’t score many goals this week, and none of them were pretty. HOWEVER, they did manage to allow 10 goals in two games, many of them ugly.

So in their honor I present my first ever LAST STAR of the week:

Luongo Rant

Roberto Luongo’s worst back to back games of the season by far. Sure his defense wasn’t great, but can’t he just keep his head up for once? I hate seeing that head droop and shoulder’s slump,

I know what it means, and so does his team. Step it up Bobby Lu, or get on the bench.

Ok here’s the Kassian Goal

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Big game tonight versus the Buffalo Sabres. Let’s get you ready with the past week’s Canucks 3 stars.

FIRST STAR: Corey Schneider

Cory Schneider was the first star in the Canucks game against New Jersey, where he made 30 saves and helped the Canucks win against one of the hottest teams in he second half of the seasons so far.

Against Phoenix he made 34 saves and would have been the player of the game if not for the phenomenal performance of Mike Smith.

In an ideal world, Schneider would help the Canucks to a Stanley Cup and then leave as a RFA in the summer, allowing the Canucks to earn a few draft picks and giving him the chance to be a starting goalie for another team.

He’s earned it, and the Canucks shouldn’t keep him around as a back up any longer after this year.

SECOND STAR: Cody Hodgson

In honor of the season he had. He’s a natural goal scorer, a hard worker, and has a good attitude.

There is no doubt in my mind that he will be a great contributor to the Sabres or any other team that he signs with during his career. If the Canucks don’t win a Cup in the next few seasons, the words “Cam Neely” might come into play, and then people will lose their jobs.

So long Coho. You'll be missed.

I hope he’s a star, but I’ll be bitter if he is. So long Cody Hodgson

THIRD STAR: Zack Kassian

For the potential he holds. No pressure, but his standing in Canuck eyes is totally dependent on whether or not he lifts a cup while wearing their uniform. It’s not fair and its not right, but its the truth. Right Zack Kassian?

But the upside is big. HUGE. Much like Kassian.

He’s big, he skates well, and he’s not afraid to fight.

Alongside a few talented Canucks forwards, he might even have an impact on the score sheet. And he looked good in the first game against St. Louis.

There is a lot to look forward to in the next few months.

Goal of the Week

A beautiful snipe by a guy who hasn’t scored as much this year. We need more goals like this from Ryan Kesler!

Nice move! Bang Bang Bang Bang, Vamanos Vamanos!

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This week, things about the Canucks that drive me crazy.

Trading Hodgson

WHAT THE @#$@ Where did this trade come from? Cody Hodgson is young, he’s cheap, he’s playing out of position and he’s STILL one of the best third line players in the NHL.

He’s probably the most natural goal scorer the Canucks have had since Bertuzzi, and he LOVED Vancouver and probably would have signed a cheap deal in a year or so (maybe 5 years 15 million?) and eventually become a first line player.

That trade was BULL@#$! It does not make any sense for a contender to make a trade where we somehow DON’T get the best player in the deal. Idiotic.

People who think the Cody Hodgson trade was bad

IDIOTS! The trade was brilliant! Gillis took a gamble, but the payoff can (and should) be very high. Zack Kassian is younger than Hodgson, and he fills a specific hole that the Canucks needed filled.

Do you think that Kassian would hesitate to shattered Marchand’s skull if Boston and Vancouver meet again? Do you think he’ll shy away from physical play?

He’s the missing piece!

Plus, Hodgson didn’t fit as well on that third line, Sami Pahlsson will make it more of a checking line and will give the Canucks the same effective balance they had last season.

This was a great trade!

Did you know Kassian is younger than Hodgson?

Actually, you know what I really hate??

NOT KNOWING WHAT THE @#$! TO THINK

That’s what I hate the most. I’ve gone back and forth on this trade roughly 200 times in the past two days. I hated it, than I liked it, than I was unsure.

Now I’m still unsure. I don’t like not being sure about thing. You know how I deal with uncertainty? Alcohol. Lots and lots of it.

There’s nothing wrong with that, but this started on a Monday. I’m shocked my editor is still employing me.

I don’t know how this trade will turn out, all I know is that I will develop a really strong opinion about it during the playoffs, and that opinion will swing rapidly on a game to game basis.

Losing to Phoenix

Oh hey, this makes me happier, because I KNOW WHAT TO THINK ABOUT THIS!

Except I know that when I think about that game, my heart starts beating in my eyeball. Disgusting. What a terrible display.

A complete lack of focus, and a total lack of discipline. When you have an inferior team, you bury them. You just do. There are no exceptions.

There are no mother@#^ing “off nights.” There are no shootout excuses. You just win.

What’s that you say? Phoenix is actually a good team this year? No they aren’t!

Their division sucks. They aren’t a good team.

Stop saying it, stop thinking it, and if you can’t do those things, stop watching hockey.

Immediately.

Meanwhile, I’m going back to my fridge for a beer.

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The Canucks had one slightly off game against the Predators, but besides that managed to blow out two inferior teams and end the most impressive streak in the NHL this year.

Without further ado:

First Star: Daniel Sedin

Well this was easy.

Daniel Sedin went off for three goals and five assists, breaking him out of a recent funk (for him) that was pushing him out of the Hart conversation. Now? He has to be high on anyones list. 61 points puts him at eighth in the NHL, while a plus/minus of 21 makes him one of the leagues elite.

Plus, his last second goal to send the Detroit game to overtime was beyond clutch.

If he retired tomorrow, any conversation about great Canucks has to include him.

If he leads them to a Cup in June?

We have to have some serious conversations about how high he goes in the Hall of Fame.

Second Star: Henrik Sedin

This wasn’t actually too challenging either. Henrik Sedin had two goals and six assists, including two absolutely beautiful touches to Daniel against Detroit.

Daniel's last second goal to send the Detroit game to OT was CLUTCH! - (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Especially that first goal, where he leapt in the air and then redirected the puck away from the front of the net and towards the waiting stick of Daniel.

Sick, sick stuff.

Only one other player in the league could have pulled that off, and he hasn’t skated in a few months.

Like his brother, Henrik’s legacy for the Canucks is unquestioned, but how high he rises in the Hall hinges on a cup run sometime soon.

Third Star: Canucks Goaltending

This was a tough choice.

One the one hand, not a good performance by Roberto Luongo against Nashville. On the other, they took care of business against Edmonton and Toronto, and Luongo silenced the fans in Detroit.

He seems to be getting hot just when it counts the most, and Cory Schneider hasn’t showed any cracks despite the constant trade rumors surrounding him, and has remained a professional even when many fans are calling for him to start more games.

These two aren’t carrying the team, but you get the impression they could if they needed to.

Canucks HD Goal of the week

He played in his 500th game versus Nashville this week, he also scored for my $ the biggest goal of the season for the Canucks. Mr. Alex Burrows.

Nice move! Bang Bang Bang Bang, Vamanos Vamanos!

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An ambitious BC Lions prediction? Not in my eyes.

Let’s look at the facts:

FACT #1 – The past five MVP’s have all been quarterbacks. So have 9 of the last 10, the only exception being Geroy Simon in 2006 (who, it should be noted, was a BC Lion)

FACT #2 – Travis Lulay is the reigning MVP, the best quarterback in the CFL and a member of the reigning Grey Cup champions.

Any questions?

I know that I’m simplifying things a little bit, but the fact is that the BC Lions Lulay is the runaway favorite to win the 2012 MVP award.

Historically, the MVP almost always comes from one of the league’s top teams, and the Lions are certainly a good bet to win the West Division again.

Their team has improved with the addition of Lin-J Shell, a star defensive player who will help BC’s already suffocating defense.

They also have added Byron Parker and Stu Foord, a defensive talent and a solid running back who add more depth to an already impressive lineup.

Another pertinent question is, who can actually stop Lulay?

2012 MVP! An ambitious BC Lions prediction?

Any serious competition will have to come out of the shadows, or from a player leading a surprise team to playoff relevance. The traditionals probably can’t cut it this year.

Henry Burris? Calgary has some questions to answer, Burris is probably not in for an MVP caliber season.

Anthony Calvillo, as brilliant and timeless as he may seem, is getting old, and his team is aging around him. He’s still a star in the league, but he’s past his prime and not capable of putting up the number he once did.

Shockingly, Lulay has ANOTHER factor in his favor. Mike Benevides. There are those who would say that any quarterback could have been good with Buono running the show, but with a new head coach?

There is an expectation that there may be some struggles. When there are none, Lulay will look that much better.

And if Lulay can repeat as the MVP?

What does that mean for the improved Lions?

It doesn’t take a genius. Lulay won’t be the only repeat this season.

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This week, our first two Canucks stars were no-brainers. The third however, was a little tougher to decide on.

Without further ado:

First Star – David Booth

This was easy. With a goal in all three games this week, nine shots on net, a +2 rating and more than 15 minutes of ice time per game, David Booth is our first star of the week. In fact, he’s got six points in February and has been fantastic since his return.

Until this past month, we hadn’t really seen enough of Booth to decide if he really would be a big factor. Was he the missing piece the Canucks lacked last year?

He certainly makes that second line a lot tougher, and gives the Canucks an extra dimension on offense.

Can he stay healthy? Hard to say.

But if he can, the Canucks can balance their minutes and save legs so there are no injury problems in the Finals this year.

Second Star – Roberto Luongo

Another solid week for Bobby Lu. Like I said last week, he’s playing well right now but mostly staying below the radar.

He was strong in the loss to Calgary, he made a big save on Iginla near the end of the game and was solid throughout.

Booth the Number 1 Star This week for the Canucks!

Against Colorado he took care of business and made sure the Avalanche had no openings to make the game close, despite a mostly sputtering Canucks offense in the  first two periods.

Against Phoenix he let in a weakish goal in the last four minutes, but made 23 saves throughout the game and was definitely strong.

He may not be putting on a show like last year, but Bobby Lu is anchoring one of the best teams in the NHL, and if he can keep it up than they can definitely win a Cup with him between the pipes.

Third Star – Dan Hamhuis

Not a lot to say about the play of Dan Hamhuis besides the fact that he isn’t making many mistakes.

A nice assist to Booth in the game against Calgary, but more importantly he held his position well, limiting the oppositions forwards and making sure that Roberto Luongo didn’t have to face too many tough shots.

The Canucks would be in GREAT shape if they could grab a star defenceman at the deadline, but barring that they need more weeks like this from Hamhuis and the rest of the defence corp.

Goal of the week

Introducing your first star and recent Canucks breakout, David Booth!

Nice falling backhand. Bang Bang Bang Bang, Vamanos Vamanos!

This week, things that bother me about the Canucks.

You know what I hate?

I hate that the Canucks are winning.

I hate that they’re winning ugly. Why can’t they just look beautiful again? I prefer beautiful losses to ugly wins.

Honestly, I just want to watch the Henrik Sedin & Daniel Sedin play a passing drill for 60 minutes. They don’t even need to shoot. No one ever complained that they played too pretty before, or bashed them for making one too many pass.

Why can’t they just keep that going? I  like the old Canucks, there was never anything to complain about then.

You know who I hate? David Booth.

What an awful trade. So what if that injury wasn’t his fault? And so what if the Canucks have been on fire since his return? David Booth has five points in the past five games?

19 points in 30 games? NOT GOOD ENOUGH! And he’s 27?

That’s too old to improve.

Man, I hate David Booth.

Hey you know what else I don’t like?

Roberto Luongo. You know how bad he is in shootouts? I mean, OK he’s won the last two but that’s not important. .957, .930 and .938 his past three games?

Things aren't perfect, and so everything is wrong.

Not high enough. We can’t win without Luongo being flawless!

Besides, its not like our team this year is an offensive juggernaut, we don’t need to focus on that, we need  to focus on Luongo!

You know what else I hate?

That we seem to finally be healthy. That doesn’t mean that the coaching staff is doing a good job, or that players have been careful (Booth) and taking their rehab seriously (Mason Raymond) all it means is that we’ve been lucky and that soon we’ll be hurt again.

Man, you know what’s worse than being injured?

Being healthy again.

So what if we’re only one point out of the best record in the NHL? So what if two thirds of our remaining games are at home?

So what if our remaing schedule is soft?

Things aren’t perfect, and so everything is wrong. We aren’t the best in the league at every single position, so we suck.

You know what I REALLY REALLY hate?

Optimism.

* Editors Note – Riley’s views don’t necessarily reflect those on this website. It’s just that well…we don’t pay him enough.

You know you’ll be back for more next week! Till then…

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