Annoyances and getting back to business

Like the Canucks, we’re back to business this week. I had planned to step away from the site during the All-Star break, but hackers made sure that wouldn’t happen. Looks like we’re all good now, and thankfully nothing was lost or destroyed, but it was a major annoyance in my life this weekend. Mission accomplished basement boy, your mom is proud I am sure.

On the eve of the Canucks getting back to business against Nashville to start a critical 4-game home stretch, there is no doubt that the club must start to turn the tides and make a run if they have any hope of securing a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference.

It certainly would have been nice to head into the break after a win in San Jose, but the team did play fairly well in the final two games it played, and are hopefully seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

Most encouraging was the play of Roberto Luongo in San Jose who showed it won’t be long before he’s back into form. As Gordon McIntyre reported in The Province today, the captain is making sure he sets the tone for the second half run:

He could have skipped Monday’s practice. He didn’t land back in Vancouver until 11 a.m. and, with his body clock set three hours ahead to Eastern Time, Monday’s 1 1/2-hour session didn’t end until 8:30 p.m. for him.

But passing on practice was out of the question.

Luongo knows the season rests on his leadership and performance on the ice.

As fellow blogger Yankee Canuck notes there are still concerns about the addition of Mats Sundin, but moreso in his eyes the coaching of Alain Vigneault:

But no worries sports fans…because Vigneault thinks he’ll be just fine. Of course! The coach who is a poor 20 minutes away from being another statistic in this global recession thinks the big free agent signing who hasn’t done anything yet will, naturally, be the big gamer who we all still hope and believe he can be.

While Sundin has been a bit of a bust to start, taking untimely penalties and registering only three points in his appearances so far, the Canucks will tell you the example he is setting off the ice has been valuable. The training regime and work ethic are setting an example for the younger players on the team. Sure he went to Whistler for a few days during the break with his fiance, and apparently didn’t skate. He did workout however, and skating wasn’t going to really do much for him. It’s game action he needs.

Now will be the time to start judging Sundin. He really needs to take this team on his back and lead the way offensively. Canuck Nation is getting restless.

I hope the defense has had a mental and physical break. These guys were playing tight, and there is no question in my mind they are the root of this teams problems right now. They’re simply turning the puck over too often in our own end and in the neutral zone, and when that happens Luongo can only do so much. It also causes penalties as guys scramble and cheat to get back in the play after a turnover, hooking or interfering with the opposing players so they don’t get burned, or to save a goal.

Alexander Edler has regressed this season, the Salo injuries have hurt while the rest of the crew has been very inconsistent, and leading that pack is Kevin Bieksa. Bieksa struggled last season after the bad leg cut, and this season just hasn’t lead the defensive corps they he was expected to.

So, in all facets, it’s time to get back to business…hackers, coaches, high priced swedes or slumps be damned!