Pucks On The 'Net: 17 Years

For the first time in 17 years the Vancouver Canucks have reached the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Has it really been 17 years since the 1994 Stanley Cup run, my most cherished Canucks memory? Wow!

• The Canucks beat the Nashville Predators in six games. I think most unbiased observers will admit that the better team won the series. Nashville deserves a lot of credit. They never gave the Canucks any breathing room, despite a weak power play, poor play at home, and very little offensive presence from their two key players - Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.
• I could harp on all the negatives surrounding the Canucks, and under the playoff microscope there seems to be no shortage of them - the Sedins disappointing play, Luongo's bad goal per game, Alex Edler's erratic play, etc, etc, etc. There are concerns no doubt, but I'm going to focus on the positives. They've overcome a lot of adversity so far these playoffs. They deserve some credit for that.
• This is definitely Ryan Kesler's team now. His play really does remind of a young Mark Messier with the Oilers when they were winning Stanley Cups.
• The way Kevin Bieksa is playing, he may be the most prized unrestricted free agent this summer, especially among defensemen. He and Dan Hamhuis have been the Canucks top two dmen.
• How about Jeff Tambellini's incredible back-check on that Martin Erat breakaway late in the 2nd period? That may have been the play of the game.
• Not that there were a lot of candidates for the highlight reel tonight. That was ugly hockey thanks to terrible ice and humidity. The Predators game plan never helps. Nashville played admirably, but god that's tough to watch night in night out. The Predators' fans really impressed me. That would be a great building to watch a game live in. Imagine if they had an exciting team to watch.
• The Canucks finally get a break. Game One of round three will not start until Saturday at the earliest, thanks to Rogers' Arena being used on Thursday and Friday. Thanks to their own failings, the Canucks have basically played every other night, often with travel, for a good month now. They haven't had a solid team practice in that time. Henrik Sedin appears to be hiding an injury. Alex Edler could use some down time. Everyone probably has a few bruises or worse. They could really benefit with a couple of days away from the rink followed by a couple of solid practices.
• Canucks were 3-0-1 vs San Jose, and 2-0-2 against Detroit this past season. Somehow I suspect neither team will be so accomodating in round 3.

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