CrashingTheGoalie

by desertdawg

A number of years ago, when the Winnipeg Jets were facing the Canucks in the first round of the playoffs, I asked the Jets head coach John Paddock if the fact that his team had not beaten the Canucks during the regular season would be a factor in these playoffs.

He paused, and then somewhat disdainfully said “Anyone in hockey can tell you that the variables that go into winning hockey during the regular season are vast and varied. First off, it’s an extremely long season and there are so many different factors that may show up in any one game. When teams face each other in the regular season, each team has recently faced different opposition, has played more or less games in shorter periods of time and also one team may be travel weary at the end of a road trip, the other team fresh etc, etc. In the playoffs, each team has played the same number of games. At the beginning of a playoff series, both teams are fresh and highly motivated simply by being in the playoffs. As a series wears on, both teams have faced the same difficulties and have developed a healthy dose of hate for each other. There’s little time to build up hate in the regular season when you play a game and move on to the next opponent. We’ll beat the Canucks.”

The Jets proceeded to go up three games to one and Paddock’s statements sounded like an oracle. The fact that the Canucks pulled off a minor miracle (only minor because they were already heavily favored against the Jets) and took the series in seven games. So much for the oracle.

But tonight’s game against Chicago is a good example of some of Paddocks points. Conventional wisdom suggests that the team playing the second game of a back-to-back will have trouble getting their legs going in the first period. They usually do much better in the second period and early in the third before fatigue sets in.

If the first period is any example of the young Blackhawks getting their legs going, then the Canucks are in for a tough time tonight. The Canucks are lucky to be down only two to one with Luongo pulling off a (take your pick here…lucky or miraculous) save that boggles the mind. It easily could have been three to one.

The Canucks are curiously flat the first period. Their forecheck is non-existant. Some might say the first period is a little early to sit back and clog up the neutral zone with a trap.

The most notable thing about the second period is Mason Raymond. Gord Kerster, a friend of mine, who follows both junior and pro hockey more closely than most, had been saying all off-season that this would be Raymond’s breakout year. He certainly has the skills. Because of Salo’s injury, Raymond plays the point on power plays. The pass he makes on Demitra’s goal is sublime. This continues in the second period with some excellent decisions on the point during the PP and his speed causes the Hawks to collapse to the net very quickly, creating a couple of close calls. Speaking of Raymond’s speed, the play he made from his knees in the second was the best non-goal highlight of the season. The kid is missing by inches but he’s not far away from putting it all together.

The second period decides nothing. We still look flat.

The third period now sees the Hawks now laying off the forecheck, clogging up the neutral zone and frustrating the Canucks offensive forays. It might be discouraging for Canuck fans to see a team with so little synchronicity. Every play is an “almost.”

Which means what? The Canucks are just about there? One player added to the top six? It’s what most of us think.

We just need one player.

Well actually, that may be true. I read an article some time ago that did a statistical analysis of the difference between changing the coach vs. adding an impact player. Not surprisingly, adding an impact player was clearly the most successful strategy.

But don’t forget, two years ago, the Canucks had a similar start to this year. There had been a number of changes and the team didn’t really know who it was yet. This year, out of our top twelve forwards, seven were not regulars on the Canucks last year. As John Paddock said, it’s a long season and there are many variables that go into a winning season.

This is not to excuse the flat performance tonight. But I suggest we give this team time to become a team. They aren’t there yet, but there are bright spots. Raymond and Hansen are players that will get better, lots better. Our D and our goaltending will get better. Kesler and Burrows are emerging as core players. The Sedins will click. So ever the optimist, I see bright spots.

Hard to see with all the dark clouds gathering, but they are there.