Canucks & Beyond
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Beware the Canucks and Flames
by Alanah McGinley on 03/26/09 at 05:54 PM ET
Comments (4)
Earlier today, the news was buzzing about how fearful the Calgary Flames should be as the Canucks nip their heels in the Northwest Division race. Vicki Hall at the Calgary Herald made that point pretty clear, with a touch of humor:
Calgary’s preoccupation with everything Vancouver just escalated into an outright obsession.
So take those Sedin voodoo dolls out of the closet, Calgary fans. Deface that Kevin Bieksa pin-up poster. Vent your frustration by hurling that mini Roberto Luongo goalie mask through the garage door.
But now (and this should be much consolation to the Flames and their fans) Bill Clement at NBC Sports fires a warning shot towards Detroit and San Jose instead:
San Jose and Detroit are really good teams, and are the cream of the crop in the West, but it’s far from a lock that they will meet in the conference finals.
The Canucks and the Flames pose the biggest threats to denying the Sharks or the Red Wings from playing for the Stanley Cup.
I’m not sure I buy this—as a Canucks fan, these teams terrify me—but I find the hoopla to be a lot of fun.
It doesn’t seem so long ago everyone who loves Vancouver was ready to jump off a bridge or become a confirmed alcoholic. But now our favorite team is apparently a threat to the top 3 seeds in the Western Conference!?!
Love it. And I’ll take my smiles wherever I can get ‘em. 
Filed in: nhl general, vancouver canucks | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Comments
To add to Darren’s post...I wouldn’t really want to face Columbus in the first round as a Canuck fan. Not that I think Vancouver can’t beat the BJs, but I do think it would be a tougher series than facing Chicago.
Either way though, I’m just happy the Canucks are in the playoffs (provided they don’t lose 9 of their last 10 games).
Posted by Shabbadoo on 03/26/09 at 05:41 PM ET
Outside of San Jose and Detroit, I don’t think it really matters who the Canucks match up against.
Calgary has offensive depth, but suspect defense and Kipper has to be burned out.
Columbus plays a stingy system and is tough to score against.
Chicago has a dynamite offensive attack but they are small and can probably be worn down in a playoff series.
After that, Edmonton, Anaheim, Nashville and so on all present unique challenges.
If I had a choice I’d like Vancouver to play Chicago (but get home ice of course).
Posted by DobberHockey_Angus from British Columbia on 03/26/09 at 05:44 PM ET
It really confuses me that people suggest Columbus is a better or more dangerous team than Chicago. Were you only around for the last month or so? Somehow Columbus’ rookie goaltender is a sure-fire stud that will steal playoff games, but Chicago’s two proven veterans who’ve both played well at times this year and in the past are iffy and suspect. Chicago’s lack of playoff experience is a problem because they’ll be coming in as a favourite, but Columbus’ lack of playoff experience is an asset, because they’ll be the plucky underdogs who don’t know they’re supposed to lose.
Chicago’s much more skilled. They’re the better team.
And you worry too much, Alanah. The Canucks are a better team than the Flames, too.
Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 03/26/09 at 11:12 PM ET
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About Canucks & Beyond
Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003, sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen. In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla’s Korner, Alanah is one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast, as featured at Canucks.com.
She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York Times Slapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.
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Alanah’s Twitter: Not really hockey-ish. [LINK]
Other Canucks Blogs
Much as I want the Canucks to catch Calgary, I really hope that, if they do, Calgary doesn’t fall to sixth. I’d be much happier with the team in fourth or fifth and playing Chicago in the first round. Chicago, with its youth and iffy goaltending, looks much softer than Calgary.
Posted by Darren from Victoria on 03/26/09 at 05:28 PM ET