NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s win over the Predators. Richard points out we’ve missed you Ryan Kesler. The pivot’s return has revitalized the team and the powerplay as the Canucks are really starting to look like the 2011 version. Need a negative? After a great start to the season, the inconsistency has been slipping back into Kevin Bieksa’s game.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators April 15th matchup. Richard says the Canucks will try to push forward after the gut punch loss to the Avs on Saturday, and will do so with Roberto Luongo between the pipes, leaving their starter for the much better St Louis Blues tomorrow night. Richard asks if the Ryan Kesler on wing experimental is successful, is a Jordan Schroeder call-up far behind?
NWSB Canucks writer Josh Hall says the panic button remains in a distant land…kind of like how the Vancouver Canucks remain atop the Northwest Division and 3rd place in the Western Conference. Cory Schneider didn’t have his best game but there were signs that the needed meshing is taking place at this vital time of the season. What do the next 14 days hold? This team can do better and has proven that so there should be no doubt a deep playoff run remains a possibility.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s win over the Calgary Flames. Richard points out Roberto Luongo was the surprise starter thanks to Cory Schneider’s flu, and his first game in a long while was pretty damn good. He also asks if Zack Kassian can flip the switch by the end of the month? The playoffs are right around the corner. He’ll be needed.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames April 10th matchup. Richard says Monday was the triumphant return of Ryan Kesler. Tuesday, unfortunately, was the departure of Chris Tanev and Chris Higgins from the line-up for the foreseeable future. This is an important time building for the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The stretch run continues for the Vancouver Canucks with a five game road trip opening in Calgary tonight.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from April 2nd to April 9th during the Canucks’ 2013 campaign. Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, and Chris Higgins make the list this week. Bryan points out the Sedins are playing well at the perfect time, and hopes this is the year they get hot in the playoffs.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s win over the Phoenix Coyotes. Richard points out where once a tag team of Alex Burrows and Mason Raymond centred the second line and Jordan Schroeder tried to tread water on the third, the Canucks now boast perhaps their most impressive centre depth in the Mike Gillis era. Enter Derek Roy.
NWSB Gambling insider Dave B previews the Coyotes vs. Vancouver Canucks game tonight. His headline, For The Gamblers! Surging Canucks Host Desperate Coyotes Monday Night. Henrik Sedin has two goals and three assists over the past two games, Daniel Sedin has four points in two games and Alex Burrows has five points in five games. Cory Schneider will again start in goal, and Ryan Kesler will be back in the lineup after injury tonight.
NWSB Insider and Managing Editor “Q” weighs in with yet another post on Pavel Bure. The iconic Canucks legend who deserves to have his jersey retired by the Nucks organization. Bure played for 12 seasons in the NHL with the Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. He played his first game for the us on November 5, 1991. Owner Francesco Aquilini brought Bure back to Vancouver this week. Vancouver let him know they appreciated him still.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s win over the Edmonton Oilers. Richard points out that the power play is still a struggle for the Canucks. On the bright side, Cory Schneider is shutting teams out, making the battle for starting netminder an interesting one. Oh yeah, Zach Kassian finally scored – his first since January!
Richard Hodges previews the Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks April 4th matchup. Richard says the Canucks addressed their biggest need and there’s no reason to believe this team isn’t better than last week. Derek Roy gives this line-up some scary flexibility. You can bitch about the lack of depth moves until you’re blue in the face, but the Roy acquisition is significant. Yes Roberto Luongo hates his contract, its his birthday today, Cory Schneider is in net. Deal with it.
For The Gamblers! Headline: Streaking Oilers Continue Playoff Push Against Suddenly Struggling Canucks The Vancouver Canucks will look to avenge a 4-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night when they play host to Edmonton on Thursday night. Both teams are currently locked in fights in the standings – for Vancouver they are battling Minnesota [...]
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