NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone is back today to tell the fans about the lineup changes for the Vancouver Canucks tonight in game 2 versus the Sharks. Ryan Kesler is expected to slide across to the wing tonight after struggling on the draw Wednesday, playing alongside Chris Higgins and Derek Roy on Vancouver’s second line. “I expect more out of myself tonight,” Kesler told the media Friday morning.
Richard Hodges previews the San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks May 3rd matchup. Richard says the goaltending saga continues as Roberto Luongo starts again and is preparing like he’ll start them all. There’s still no word on Cory Schneider’s condition in the most bizarre twist of this year-long soap opera. The Canucks meanwhile will load up Derek Roy and Ryan Kesler on the second line with Chris Higgins in an attempt to find some scoring punch.
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 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!
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Josh Hall tells us today the Nucks made a series of move to help with the playoff stretch. Derek Roy is a Vancouver Canuck and should provide some flexibility down the middle but I don’t buy the whole Ryan Kesler on the wing idea. Josh says if you’re asking and he’s betting, Roberto Luongo will be a Vancouver Canuck after Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline. Plus Chris Higgins has a new contract.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s tough loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday night. Richard points out Henrik Sedin & Daniel Sedin collectively this season, are slumping. When’s the last time they’ve scored a goal that grabbed you from your seat? The only thing worse than the league’s worst powerplay is not having any chances at all for the second time in three games.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Phoenix Coyotes March 21st matchup. Richard says before Shane Doan scored in the third period Thursday, the Phoenix Coyotes had gone 245 minutes and 32 seconds without a goal. They’ve also lost four straight in that span, dropping out of the playoffs for now. David Booth has a high ankle sprain. Zack Kassian has his back issues that make it tough to predict when he gets back in the line-up.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from Feb 25th to March 4 during the Canucks 2013 campaign. Chris Higgins, Henrik Sedin and Jannik Hansen make the list this time around. Let’s all cross our fingers for some more successful outings in the near future for the boys in blue.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck brings us up to speed on the storylines involving the Canucks and the upcoming NHL trade deadline. He says when you’re a nose hair away from the half way mark of the season and you’re having these issues it may be time to look inward and see what needs to be done in order to succeed and not just get by. When do you make a move he asks. Chris Higgins, Mason Raymond, Roberto Luongo, we wait…
