Bring on the Playoffs!

Canucks vs. Blues: Preview & Predictions

Canucker33 has created a preview/prediction thread for the upcoming series between the Canucks and the St. Louis Blues. The thread offers an overview

INJURIES

Canucks: None - Kevin Bieksa, who missed the previous game due to a 'flu', is expected to play Game 1 of the playoffs.

Blues: Paul Kariya - likely back for Game 1, D.J. King, Eric Brewer, Erik Johnson



The Blues are hot right now, with a record of 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. On the other hand, Vancouver has a shorter hot streak of 3 wins going but have been incredible since February.

The season series between these two teams is tied at 2-2-0 (4-6 L / 6-4 W / 3-0 W / 2-4 L). With 15 goals scored by the Canucks and 14 by the Blues. Talk about even.... However, don't forget that some of these games have been complete letdowns by the Canucks, something I am sure they will avoid the in the playoffs. Also, LaBarbera had an off game letting in 6 goals in one of the losses.

The thread contains a poll with 3 questions:

1. Who will win the series and in how many games?


2. Which Blues player are you most worried about?


3. Which Canucks will have the best series? (Choose 3)

HockeyNut30 posted his prediction:

The two best teams in the NHL since February. It's going to be a great series but I gotta give the edge to the Canucks. Vancouver in 6!

KelserownsIginla thinks special teams and goaltending will be the difference:

Not an easy matchup at all. A team coming in playing so well that has played w/playoff type desperation for a while now.

To me the entire key is the Canucks discipline. The Blues have been in the top 10 in the PP all year. If the Canucks play this team 5 on 5 they win easy b/c of the HUGE advantage in net. IF they are constantly taking penalties this series will drag out to 6 or 7 and could be an upset.

I like Vancouver in 5 here. Mason has exactly 1 career win against the Canucks and anyone referencing the season series please throw out the 6-4 win here b/c it was at the peak of the Canucks awful play and was without Luongo. Draw up the gameplan as it was in the 3-0 victory here and there will be no issues with the Blues.

The one break we did get in this matchup is that Mason, of all the netminders in the West, is likely, at best, the 7th best goalie in the playoffs.

Stay disciplined and get it behind their questionable defense and the Canucks win this series going away. That needs to be the formula!!

View the thread, vote on the poll questions, and make comments here.

Let the Trash Talking Begin!

InfiniteCanuck makes an emphatic call for the heckling of Chris Mason:

We better give Mason as hard of a time as we did for turco.

At least twice a period, we better hear something to the extent of:

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

The_Grinch seems to be in fine trash talking form:

Lol, no contest here. The Canucks will either win in 4, or 5. Please don't go over to their boards AT THE MOMENT. it's pretty sad how they think they can win, and the only thing they have to lay back on is "WINNING THE 2ND HALF OF THE PRESIDENT'S TROPHY". I find it quite a tease when Blues fans are suddenly jumping back on the wagon, and like the Jackets "fans", start acting cocky and over-confident. STILL, teams underestimate Luongo's ability to SHUTDOWN teams in the playoffs.

Canucks offence>>>>>Blues offence

-Blues first line is a defensive liability

-Kariya is questionable for the first round

-some key players are inexperienced

Canucks defence>>>>>>Blues defence

-do they have any puck moving dman?

-how many dman do they have with over 20 pts? 2?

-they are slow as hell

Luongo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mason. Mason has ONE career win vs. the Canucks? Good luck.

We destroy them in every aspect, and also physicality.

mike.h let his forum signature do the talking:

And finally, King_of_Anarchy delivered the most devastating blow to the Blues and their fanbase via mugshot.

Robert Luongo Pencil Sketch

Grabner_40 posted this awesome looking pencil drawing of Roberto Luongo.

There's no shortage of artistic talent on CDC.

The Creative & Media Forum is a great place to find the latest creations of Canucks.com forum members