NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Andrew Deutschmann provides his tips for how Van City can beat the San Jose Sharks in Round 1 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He says the Nucks must stay healthy. This may be the most important area. Hopefully, with the shortened season, less players will be banged up during the playoffs, but injuries are pretty much inevitable. Just look at Ryan Kesler in 2011. Stay healthy Cory Schneider.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues April 16th matchup. Richard says the Canucks are only five points behind the Anaheim Ducks for second in the conference. He also points out Ryan Kesler and the powerplay both made triumphant returns last night against Nashville, putting the Canucks five points up in the Minnesota Wild
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 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. San Jose Sharks April 1st matchup. Richard says injuries are mounting for Van City. Add Mason Raymond to a list that includes Dale Weise and Keith Ballard. Kevin Bieksa didn’t take the morning skate either but there’s no word yet on him not playing. The Sharks open a four game homestand at HP Pavilion tonight where they’re 11-1-4. Also for the Sharks, Jason Demers didn’t play Saturday and will be a game-day decision.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone tells us today the NHL’s April 3rd trade deadline fast approaches and the Vancouver Canucks have a number of spots on the roster worthy of attention heading into this year’s playoff push. Mason Raymond and Jannik Hansen have played well during their time on Vancouver’s second line, but are better fit as checking forwards on a fully healthy roster.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s horrible loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Richard points out being a Canucks fan means expecting the gut punch. The only franchise to lose two Stanley Cup final Game 7s has made a reputation among fans for letting them down so hard when they want to. The Canucks had won six straight. Cory Schneider was playing amazing…
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers March 30th matchup. Richard says seems as though both Zack Kassian and Keith Ballard will miss yet another game recovering from their nagging injuries while the Oilers will miss Eric Belanger, who’s out with a groin injury. It’s been a while since these two teams hooked up this year, they last saw each other in early February when the Canucks won 3-2. Cory Schneider will be in net again.
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 Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night. Richard points out despite the close score, the Canucks significantly out-chanced the Jackets. Yet, their lack of conversion almost came back to haunt them. Not only was Maxim Lapierre’s shootout winner a beautiful move, it was the only goal in the game.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from March 21st to March 206th during the Canucks 2013 campaign. Jordan Schroeder, Jannik Hansen, and Mason Raymond make the list this week. Bryan says there are few players in the league who can keep up with Raymond when he’s really skating, and when he keeps solid control of the puck coming in fast.
