Can we catch the Hawks?

[Cornuck]

We've been hot and making up some points, but the Hawks still have 5 points on us with 18 games left each. For many, just seeing this team within weeks of making the playoffs is more than they hoped for back in September, but 4th place in the Conference seems like an attainable goal at this point. Of course, being the Canucks, they are also capable of dropping a few games and looking for a 'mathematical probability' on the last day of the season.

Can we keep playing without sustaining big injuries?
Is Luongo peaking at just the right time? Did the injury layoff do him good?
What do you think will make or break the remainder of the season?
Does it matter if we start with home ice for the first series?

Both teams have decent schedules that have them playing at home for a majority of their games. The Hawks still face San Jose and Detroit and have 4 back to back pairings.

Tale of the Tape

[Island Nucklehead]

Well I'm going to go out on a limb and say the March 20-April 1st stretch will be the test.

Chicago has 5 games at home, and we play 6 straight on the road, with a big matchup in Chi-town on the 29th.

Neither schedule is extremely difficult, but I don't put much stock in that because we know the Canucks can drop games to weaker teams.

I don't think it REALLY matters if we catch them or not, I just hope we get in and play vs. Chicago.

[Sid Dithers]

I don't see why not. But it comes down to the Canucks being ready and focused to compete every night. If they don't meet that criteria, nothing else matters. 5 points isn't the toughest task in the world to make up.

[Linden Is God]

I think they can do it. Hell I think they can catch up to Calgary if the F-Lamers continue to play like they did against Carolina and Atlanta.

[the toucan kid]

I would say probably not because of the way the league is setup. Someone please get rid of the bloody loser points!

Anyway, there does seem to be something amiss in Calgary's game at the moment. Ff they go on a skid I suppose we can catch them if we can beat them in regulation in our last game against.

[Fred]

Currently we are seeded to take on the Hawks in the play-offs, so yeah we'll catch them .................. in the play-offs

[Island Nucklehead]

Calgary has been decimated by injuries, basically an entire scoring line. It's no wonder they're faltering a bit down the stretch, and it's a good thing for us if they get used to losing and their guys return to health just in time to be rusty for the playoffs.

It's going to be tough to make up much ground Even after being hot for over a month, we're still closeer to 6th than we are to 4th.

[LotusBlossom]

Calgary has been decimated by injuries, basically an entire scoring line. It's no wonder they're faltering a bit down the stretch, and it's a good thing for us if they get used to losing and their guys return to health just in time to be rusty for the playoffs.

It's going to be tough to make up much ground Even after being hot for over a month, we're still closeer to 6th than we are to 4th.

True, but this is a great time to try and make up some ground. Let's just hope that 6th place doesn't look to easy to achieve

[Island Nucklehead]

Frankly, as long as we come in 3-5 I like our chances in the first round. I guess the higher we go the longer we can wait to play San Jose, but given the fact our home and road records aren't that different, I think we're well suited to play visitor in the first 2 games.

The only reason I don't like winding up 6th is because playing the Flames first round, before we have the chance to get on a tear, will be physically draining. I think next to San Jose, Calgary is the most physically imposing team in the hunt, and whoever faces them in round one better be ready for a pounding. I'd rather someone else try to go shot for shot with them, rather it be the Sedin's getting run all day by an amped up Regehr and Phaneuf, or Bertuzzi trying to murder poor Sami Salo...

[the toucan kid]

Regehr and Phaneuf, or Bertuzzi

Got to say despite Phaneuf's propensity for big hits, those three really aren't all that grueling to play against, at least opposed to some out there.

[Island Nucklehead]

Well despite the discrepency amongst league statisticians, NHL.com has Phaneuf(129), Regher (106), and Sarich (113) all over 100. We have Steve Bernier (125). Thave have 14 over 50, we have 10.

Chicago has Seabrook (161), and Byfuglien (135)..but only 7 players over 50 hits.

San Jose is going to be fun... Grier (141), Murray (141), Clowe (126), Moen (125), Setoguchi (113) and a whopping 16 players over 50 hits.

Stuart (126) is the only Wing over 100, and they have 11 over 50.

Columbus has Commodore (164), Hejda(147), Boll (122), Murray (122), Methot (110) and 14 players over 50.

Oilers have Moreau (104) and Kotalik (100) and 10 players over 50.

I think it's pretty obvious San Jose is going to be a tough customer come playoffs...followed by Columbus in the physical department.

[ClamRussel]

Calgary has been decimated by injuries, basically an entire scoring line. It's no wonder they're faltering a bit down the stretch, and it's a good thing for us if they get used to losing and their guys return to health just in time to be rusty for the playoffs.

It's going to be tough to make up much ground Even after being hot for over a month, we're still closeer to 6th than we are to 4th.

True, but this is a great time to try and make up some ground. Let's just hope that 6th place doesn't look to easy to achieve

Glad to see Windy City hasn't won you over just yet! ; )

[Madcombinepilot]

Hawks, why not the flames? we have 2 games in habd and I believe we play them once.. they have an 8 point head start, if we win those, its 2 points and it's thier turn to pay the injury piper...

We still have an outside chance at the division.

[LotusBlossom]

Calgary has been decimated by injuries, basically an entire scoring line. It's no wonder they're faltering a bit down the stretch, and it's a good thing for us if they get used to losing and their guys return to health just in time to be rusty for the playoffs.

It's going to be tough to make up much ground Even after being hot for over a month, we're still closeer to 6th than we are to 4th.

True, but this is a great time to try and make up some ground. Let's just hope that 6th place doesn't look to easy to achieve

Glad to see Windy City hasn't won you over just yet! ; )

Just be lucky I haven't turned over a new Leaf either.

Nah, Nucks fan through and through. I am going home this weekend, so I'm going to the St Paddy's game against the Stars. I miss my old seats.

[woodhog]

Hawks, why not the flames? we have 2 games in habd and I believe we play them once.. they have an 8 point head start, if we win those, its 2 points and it's thier turn to pay the injury piper...

We still have an outside chance at the division.

MCP, you have alot of confidence in this team! I don't think we will even overtake Chicago. It's too difficult to make up points with so many 3 pointers awarded. I hope I'm wrong but the way we tend to play down to the level of our opponents or lower (like L.A. the other night) doesn't give me any reason to think we'll pass Chi-town or Cow-town.