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Vancouver Canucks: Three quick notes from the Lightning game
Written on January 11, 2012 at 06:24, by HTTN
HTTN tries to explain why the Canucks enjoy scaring us
-written by Shane Koka
Following a disappointing outing against the Florida Panthers on Monday, the Vancouver Canucks travelled a few hundred miles northeast to Tampa Bay to face-off against the star studded Lightning.
Like on Monday, the Canucks scored first, but this time they were able to keep their lead and escape the Tampa Bay Times Forum with two points. Barely. Three quick thoughts on the game:
1. The Canucks can finish what they start:
Despite blowing a two goal lead on three separate occasions, allowing the Lightning to come back from deficits of 2-0, 3-1, and 4-2, the Canucks were able to win and take two valuable points on the road.
This win, albeit by the skin of their teeth in a shootout, pushed the Canucks’ record to 21-0-0 when leading after 40 minutes. Consistently finishing games is what good teams do, and the Canucks have the routine down pat.
Even when the Lightning tied it up late on a questionable goal, the team did not fold or lose their composure.
2. Get off the Schneid and Trade Cory (or Roberto…)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Cory Schneider is a restricted free agent after this season, and the club will have to move him or risk getting nothing but compensatory draft picks in return. This topic is past beating a dead horse, having been hashed and rehashed so many times it’s more like horse necrophilia. But it needs to be addressed.
Schneider is now 7-1 (with 2 no decisions after being pulled vs. Nashville and relieving Roberto Luongo against Colorado) in his last 10 appearances.
He scores goals too!
His value has never been higher, and the club must turn this asset into working parts for a team that is ready to win now. Or keep him and trade Luongo, but that’s a whole different story…
Note: HTTN appears to have some internal disagreement on this issue, as Shane and Omar are on opposite ends of the spectrum. We’re hoping Mike Gillis and Laurence Gilman have more synergy.
3. Steven Stamkos is the Best Pure Scorer in the NHL
Not only is the Lightning forward leading the league in scoring and on pace for 58 goals this season, he is doing it at the ripe young age of 21. With the regression of Alexander Ovechkin, and the injury woes of Sidney Crosby, a convincing case can be made for Stamkos being the best finisher and most exciting player in the NHL.
There is something about his game that the stat sheets cannot measure, also. With his breathtaking speed, and supersonic shot, the kid has the ability to put the puck in the net each and every time he touches it. He reminds us of an iconic player we had in this market who used to wear #10…
Stamkos also showed his toughness tonight, coming back to play in the 3rd period after a big Alex Edler hit knocked the wind out of him in the second.
Most potent goal scorer AND most potent morning breath. What a combo.
-Note: follow Shane Koka on Twitter @ABMiV604
