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 us the Vancouver Canucks are one loss away from the end of their 2013 season, but around the city of Vancouver it seems the majority of Canucks fans have already turned the page on this year, playing armchair owner while arguing over off-season changes before the season itself is finished. Cory Schneider starts in net.
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.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Andrew Deutschmann provides his tips for how Van City goalie can come away with a win tonight vs. the Sharks in Game 2. Roberto Luongo is set start again in Game 2 and coach Alain Vigneault said today that Schneider may not make the trip to San Jose for Game 3. And odds are, if those risks don’t pan out, you can bet #1 will bail you out at the other end.
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 loss to the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of Round 1. He asks Is it puck luck that demands the Canucks need be perfect to score but opponents can score with any half chance? Multiple times in this game Daniel Sedin had a perfect opportunity to shoot the puck and either hesitated or passed off. Roberto Luongo was not the problem.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone is back today to ask could the Canucks surprise the Western Conference and make another lengthy run towards the Stanley Cup? If so, the reigning Northwest Division Champions may need a few favours from the Hockey Gods this time around. Youngster Frank Corrado will need to learn playoff hockey on the fly after playing well in his first three games at the NHL level.
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.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck brings us up to speed on the storylines he’s following with regards to the Round 1 Stanley Cup playoffs clash between the San Jose Sharks and our Canucks. Mitch says
in order for Vancouver to take this series, and he thinks they will, it will take four complete games, no relying on anything other than outplaying their opponent. And Cory Schneider must lead by example.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges takes a look at the form of the Vancouver Canucks as they head into their first round matchup with the San Jose Sharks. The Canucks have just as good a chance as every other team says Richard, but they will need the lucky bounces to go in their favor. A Cup run is unlikely, Richard thinks, but playoff hockey brings the unexpected right to our living rooms.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from April 14 to April 21 during the Canucks’ 2013 campaign. Alexander Edler, Ryan Kessler and Derek Roy make the list this week. Roy also earns credit for his goal of the week in his return to Dallas.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the Dallas Stars. Richard points Derek Roy is good. He says he’s not being used exactly right, but so far he’s above Bryan Smolinski on the trade deadline bell curve. He also asks an interesting question. Is it hyperbole to say when Kevin Bieksa comes back the Canucks will never lose? (Probably.)
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from April 7th to April 14th during the Canucks’ 2013 campaign. Daniel Sedin, Dan Hamhuis, and Ryan Kessler make the list this week. Bryan points out the impressive play of Kessler in his return and how surprising Hamhuis’ efforts were.
