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To make the playoffs

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:53 pm
by trouble
A few weeks back we were talking about our chances of winning the cup..

Well how things have changed..

Now, can the Canucks make the playoffs????

I figure to make the playoffs they are gonna need a minium of 92 points but probably closer to 95

Ok so if we go with 95 points to just make the playoffs the canucks are gonna need 45 points in 35 games,

They will need to go 20-10-5 from here on out

92 points, is gonna be something like 19-12- 4

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:45 pm
by Cookie La Rue
Not impossible but they really have to make some points now before it's too late... 2 points tonight are extremely important to go to the allstar break with a little confidence.

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:06 am
by Mozy
Its going to be close and its going to rely on winning games against teams like Columbus and Phoenix who are chasing right behind us.

Easier said than done though.

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:36 am
by Mikodat
If the Sharks and Wings continue at the same pace they will get a lot more points than last year.. Making it a lower amount of points available to the trailing teams.. If this happens it will take less than 90 points to make the playoffs. I suspect a team with 88 points will make the 8th spot.. But , that said, the Canucks still got their work cut out for them . Very little difference from # 4 spot down to #10. At present we are sitting at #7 but all the teams behind us have games in hand. Realistically I doubt we will beat the Sharks ( with Claude Lemieux added to an alreay loaded team ) in their tank... So we will be looking at getting a minimum of 34 points in the remaining 34 games for any chance of a playoff spot ( even if we use the figure of 88 as a possible playoff spot ).. It will all depend on the defensive play of the Canucks ( Bieksa and Edler scare me right now ) and Luongo returning to form quickly.. With Salo coming back there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.. lets pray there are no more injuries..

Meantime gentleman ... I am going to be coaching The Pelican Flyers in Bangkok for the next couple months. Last year they beat the Chiang Mai Canucks in the playoffs for the Thai World Hockey Championship ( 5 teams of expats and thai nationals playing beer league hockey :). I'll take time out from sitting under that palm tree on the beach to check in here.. and try and catch the odd game on the net...

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:14 am
by Grizzly
trouble wrote:A few weeks back we were talking about our chances of winning the cup..

Well how things have changed..
For sure ... thats why its a long season. We are going through a rough spot right now.

One good thing I guess is that we are still in the race with Lui being out as opposed to having a ton of ground to make up. Every team pretty much has their slumps hopefully we can get on a roll and then capitalize on that to vault up again to where we were earlier in the year.

I haven't watched a lot of games this year which is really an oddity for me however the ones I have seen the Nucks intensity and defensive zone coverage has been abysmal. Defence was supposed to be their strength and scoring the problem yet here they are losing games 6-5 !! I think if they can get back to simple hockey instead of these cute little behind the back through the legs up the middle passes etc. we'll start to see their confidence build and the wins come back.

Grizz

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:44 am
by Puck
Nice gig, Mikodat! Good luck. Bring home the 'Cup'!

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:49 am
by the toucan kid
19-12-4 is not all that difficult a task. The way I see it is that it won't be an issue. We'll either begin playing in such a fashion that making the playoffs is a given, or we will continue tumbling and be out of it pretty quick. Frankly, I see us not having much trouble getting 5th or 6th spot.

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:05 am
by Sid Dithers
the toucan kid wrote:Frankly, I see us not having much trouble getting 5th or 6th spot.
Frankly, I think it's a pipe dream. But hey, that's just me!

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:14 am
by trouble
the toucan kid wrote:19-12-4 is not all that difficult a task. The way I see it is that it won't be an issue. We'll either begin playing in such a fashion that making the playoffs is a given, or we will continue tumbling and be out of it pretty quick. Frankly, I see us not having much trouble getting 5th or 6th spot.
Ok so whats your game plan on the Canucks turning it around real fast to pull off that record to make the playoffs.

Something needs to change and fast. Or this season is a write off

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:25 am
by the toucan kid
My plan... wait.

This stretch was so predictable, we knew it would take time for Sundin, knew it would take time for Luongo. The All-Star break is a blessing in both cases, and perhaps further more if we get Salo back (even for five games). If the team doesn't turn it around, then I guess you can call the season a write off (as are most, really). Nothing else you can do, very difficult to make trades, firing the coach is pure optics to oblige melodramatic fans, but if Gillis wants to fire the guy he inherited? Well he wouldn't be the first.

Bottom line, on paper this team is much better than most in the conference. If they find their game they will be in easy. If they don't, nothing can be done.

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:17 pm
by Sid Dithers
the toucan kid wrote:My plan... wait.

This stretch was so predictable, we knew it would take time for Sundin, knew it would take time for Luongo.
So the play of the other 20 guys on the roster doesn't matter?
the toucan kid wrote:Bottom line, on paper this team is much better than most in the conference.
No, its not. Most teams have a second line. The Canucks don't have a clue who there's is. They don't even have a clue who to afix to the Sedins on the first line. 47 games in and the lines are still alphabet soup. Not good.

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:26 pm
by Island Nucklehead
I guess that's the problem of having two thirds of a a line that cannot be separated. It might be easier for other teams who could try centre 1 with RW 2 and LW 2, or LW1 with RW and C 2... not so with us.

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:59 pm
by the toucan kid
Sundin and Demitra is a second line and a damn good one by any standard.

Of course the play of the other guys matters, it matters more. However, the re-introduction or installation of talent always disrupts the natural chemistry. It does take time to get it back, we either will or won't. If we do, then on paper, I don't believe there is an argument that this team is not better than most in its conference. They have to play up to the image, but that can't be effected by anyone not wearing the jersey.

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:28 pm
by dr.dork
the toucan kid wrote:Sundin and Demitra is a second line and a damn good one by any standard.
How can you say this when in the other thread you're claiming that losing Demitra won't hurt ? And now your saying he is a key piece of a damn good second line ?

Re: To make the playoffs

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:40 pm
by trouble
dr.dork wrote:
the toucan kid wrote:Sundin and Demitra is a second line and a damn good one by any standard.
How can you say this when in the other thread you're claiming that losing Demitra won't hurt ? And now your saying he is a key piece of a damn good second line ?
Nice catch