NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
Richard Hodges previews the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks Feb 1 matchup. The quad force of Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews has 32 points already this season. An easy game this will not be. Duncan Keith’s elbow on Daniel Sedin was the death of the 2011 – 2012 Vancouver Canucks. There will be payback tonight. Hopefully Zack Kassian introduces himself to the faces of many a Hawk.
Our man Mitch D. one of our NWSB insiders and Canucks bloggers weighs in with his January 2013 edition of Nucks All Access..the plus & minus report. On the plus side. What a pleasant surprise Jordan Schroeder has been. He hasn’t been lighting it up, in fact he only has one point, but he’s been a solid player when called upon to play. Zack Kassian in seven games is leading the team in goals with five. Negative. Chris Higgins has been the biggest dud so far.
Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges Love Em Hate Em hockey blog. He recaps and rewinds the win on Wednesday night over the Avalanche. Richard says we’re going to turn this into a goaltending controversy. Roberto Luongo vs. Cory Schneider is going to make a major distraction. There’s going to be a lot of uncertainty until this is settled. What exactly do Alain Vigneault and Mike Gillis have up their sleeves? We’ll know eventually.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck brings us up to speed on the storylines he’s watching for and delivers his winning game-day tips for the Avalanche vs. Canucks game tonight. He expects the special teams to get running, to win the defensive battles and for Van City to score early and often. Jason Garrison hasn’t been able to hit the net, Alex Edler has struggled periodically. They must be better tonight. “Bring their A Games!”
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger C-Mac says for all the criticism thrown at him, the slick haired Roberto Luongo has been one of the better Canucks players in 2013 and after 6 games projects professionalism. He takes a look at the best and the worst of the Canucks line-up so far. Zack Kassian, Luongo, and Chris Tanev make the “good list”. Dan Hamhuis, Jason Garrison, and Manny Malhotra make the “naughty’ list.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck weighs in today on how rookie center Jordan Schroeder is doing after 4-5 games of 2013 NHL action. The Canucks and more importantly Alain Vigneault have really let Schroeder get his feet wet so far this season. The Return of Ryan Kesler and David Booth could change his icetime, but we have no idea when to expect those two back. The roster will be interesting moving forward.
Richard Hodges previews the Colorado Avalanche vs. Vancouver Canucks Jan. 30 matchup. The Canucks started their California swing well, but the effort levels were maddingly inconsistent in losses to the Sharks and Kings. In net tonight will be Roberto Luongo. Injured. Ryan Kesler and David Booth are still hunting popcorn in the pressbox. Richard predicts a nice cleansing home win. 4-2 Canucks. We all go home happy.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger the Flying V weighs in with his pick for the NWSB Canucks goal of the week. The Nucks scored a few spectacular goals in a furious first week of the 2013 season, but one tally especially stood out as this week’s winner. Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Zack Kassian team up with a thing of beauty. We are all Canucks!!!
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from January 22 – January 29th during the Canucks 2013 campaign. Cory Schneider, Mason Raymond and Zack Kassian make Bryan’s list. Kassian registered three goals during last week to go along with a handful of great hits and a few fights.
Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges Love Em Hate Em hockey blog. He recaps and rewinds the loss on Monday night to the LA Kings. Richard says the Canucks have a reputation for diving, which is weird because they don’t have either Anze Kopitar or Dustin Brown. Why’d Van City lose? Aside from Alex Edler’s two goals in the first two games, he and Jason Garrison have been black holes of offence.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. LA Kings Jan. 28 matchup. Most likely in net tonight will be Roberto Luongo. Lu has lost 4 of his last 6 regular-season starts in Los Angeles with a 3.68 GAA. Cory Schneider has started the last three games, making 30 saves in Friday’s 5-0 win at Anaheim to open this trip. The return of Manny Malhotra should also help with face-offs, where the Canucks were absolutely brutal last night.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck reports today on second game of the California swings vs. the San Jose Sharks. The Canucks will need the likes of Mason Raymond to stay hot tonight, especially if the game takes on a run and gun style. Zack Kassian continues to impress playing along side Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
