12/21/24
April 14, 2006
Canucks lose again, miss playoffs: In two magical back-to-back nights, Joe Thornton took a share of the NHL scoring lead, just about singlehandedly set the Western Conference's playoff field and ended the Vancouver Canucks' post-season hopes.
posted by wingnut4life to hockey at 07:43 AM - 23 comments
Obligatory: Wish the Bruins could get players like that.
posted by yerfatma at 08:58 AM on April 14, 2006
yerfatma, that might be a reality in the off-season, which is around April 19th for Vancouver. I will be surprised if Bertuzzi is still a Canuck next year.
posted by wingnut4life at 09:41 AM on April 14, 2006
wingnut, I think you fanned on the shot there.
posted by Samsonov14 at 09:52 AM on April 14, 2006
There but for some goaltending and a (mostly) healthy defensive unit go the Ottawa Senators.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:08 AM on April 14, 2006
Wait—does this mean no more Sara Orlesky?
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:14 AM on April 14, 2006
Well then. My powers for prognostication are definitely on the fritz as I had predicted (before the season started) a Vancouver/Ottawa final.
posted by grum@work at 10:21 AM on April 14, 2006
The Sharks are certainly peaking at the right time this year. I would not want to see my team facing them in the playoffs right now. Chinese Monkey: I wouldn't count the Lightning out of contention just yet. Once they turn it all on, they're a scary team still.
posted by NoMich at 10:23 AM on April 14, 2006
I don't think the Lightning are scary at all this year. I think they're a total first round patsy. No toughness, no goaltending and terribly inconsistent play otherwise. They've had ample opportunity to 'turn it on' for two months now - and have failed to do so. Now they find themselves in a must win situation to even make the playoffs. San Jose is looking quite scary. And with Vokun's injury I think they should be able to make it into the deeper rounds. Canucks are probably the disappointment of the year (I picked 'em to win the division too, grum). That team is about to be blown up. It's amazing that even though the Sedins played wicked and Anson Carter turned out to be one of the best free agent signings of the year, they still manage to miss the playoffs. Soon we will play the "Where's Bert going to go?" game.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:07 AM on April 14, 2006
wingnut, I think you fanned on the shot there. No my stick broke. Friggin' composites! I still say Bruin-tuzzi...
posted by wingnut4life at 11:30 AM on April 14, 2006
I always pegged Calgary as the playoff champion from the West this year, but I figured that Vancouver would at least win the division. My how they fall. And (though they probably will) they can't put the blame on Cloutier's play in the stretch. Not that I mind. I'm not much of a Canucks fan. Burke probably has a huge smile now too. San Jose now is playing like the team that many predicted early on. It's amazing that they managed to get so far behind the ball early in the season, but it's all about timing and they managed to get a good run at the perfect time. They will be tough to beat. And how about those Leafs?
posted by mkn at 12:07 PM on April 14, 2006
I'm really bummed the Kings didn't make it, I care none of the Canucks
posted by im050483 at 12:33 PM on April 14, 2006
I don't think the Lightning are scary at all this year. Well, I've seen them play the Canes six times this year and I've seen what the Lightning are capable of doing, and that's what I'm basing my observation on. In fact, I get to see them play tonight and tomorrow night. I'm not looking forward to it.
posted by NoMich at 12:49 PM on April 14, 2006
If it's any consolation, NoMich, the whole of the Leaf nation is cheering for your Canes. Besides, it is quite possible that they might play the Canes in the first round -- but even more likely that they'll play the Sens. And against the Sens, they have definitely not looked scary.
posted by mkn at 12:59 PM on April 14, 2006
hmmmm....is no one else thinking...it's the curse of the bertuzzi????
posted by tommybiden at 01:16 PM on April 14, 2006
The cunucks don't deserve to be in the playoffs. They played like crap in the season and bert played like crap in the olympics.
posted by united-soccer at 02:13 PM on April 14, 2006
I think getting Joe Thornton made the Sharks a different team,which says something about the Bruins I guess, or maybe playing with his cousin. But even if the team beats the Predators they come up against the Red Wings next and that's about as deep as I see them going. Also, If Joe had the same results playing the whole season in Boston I think everyone would have him as a lock for the Hart but playing on the West Coast makes that a non-starter.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:52 PM on April 14, 2006
Also, If Joe had the same results playing the whole season in Boston I think everyone would have him as a lock for the Hart but playing on the West Coast makes that a non-starter. If he ends up topping the scoring list, I can definitely see voters giving him the Hart Trophy. He's almost single-handedly carried the Sharks into the playoffs the last 10 games.
posted by grum@work at 08:17 PM on April 14, 2006
If he ends up topping the scoring list, I can definitely see voters giving him the Hart Trophy. He's almost single-handedly carried the Sharks into the playoffs the last 10 games. I think Vesa Toskala would beg to differ.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:24 PM on April 14, 2006
Bertuzzi should end up in Philly. It would be fitting. He's totally up Bobby Clarke's alley -- big and stupid. Vancouver -- Simple. They had no goalie.
posted by fabulon7 at 08:45 PM on April 14, 2006
Vancouver -- Simple. They had no goalie. Or PK (20th with 81.6%) Can't shoot (22nd with 28.7 shots per game) Can't win a face off (28th with 48.0%) etc. etc. etc.
posted by wingnut4life at 09:07 PM on April 14, 2006
OK, I have to confess that Tampa doesn't look scary after all. The 'Canes played like a team that has the number 2 spot secured and the Lightning played like they didn't really give a shit. So, screw 'em.
posted by NoMich at 11:43 PM on April 14, 2006
''I don't know what is going to happen,'' Bertuzzi said about his future. Quote from this article. I'm anxious to see what Vancouver's going to look like as a team next year.
posted by wingnut4life at 10:00 AM on April 15, 2006
The Canucks are another one of the NHL's many disapointments. Partly because of the lockout but also the new rules. Tampa Bay is another disapointment. The defending champs are playing nothing like a contending team.