Let’s not let things get out of hand here with the hyperbole, Alanah. I for one have enough respect for Luongo to recognize that the game tonight should be fairly difficult, as Avs-Vancouver games are usually tight contests.

Certainly it would have helped the Canucks to get something more at the deadline, but they do have a fairly tight defense, and that will be a problem for the Avs...just like it was last game.

Certainly it would be nice to see Pedro out there beating on people, but I for one will believe it when I see it. Otherwise, it bothers me that the Avs mainstream is so absorbed by Forsberg that they are almost ignoring the impact Adam Foote has had in shoring up the Avs blueline.

Basically I’ll be drinking right along with you Alanah...this will be interesting.

Posted by Aaron from The Mountains on 03/04/08 at 01:41 PM ET

I am hoping your exceedingly low estimation of your team is mistaken, Alanah. 

Surely you can manage to take a gimp like Floppa… Surely?

And two 8 year old girl scouts and a pony would’ve “shored up” the Dives’ “blue line” prior to the signing of “Footer.” Puh-leaze.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 03/04/08 at 01:56 PM ET

Dater and the rest of the Avs hockey “analysts” love to get the canucks fans going. But seriously, someone should really check his grammar before he posts. I can guarantee on thing - the Canucks will not be soft tonight against the Avs.
I was listening to Pierre McGuire last night talk about Ottawa’s chances of going deep into the playoffs and it really resonated with me. I kind of feel the same way about the Canucks. Unless the Canucks can find some heart on this team we’re headed for an early exit. Bottoms up!

Posted by Trini from VanC on 03/04/08 at 02:02 PM ET

Aaron -- It will be interesting—I hope.  But geez, if you’re going to be concerned with my tendency towards hyperbole, you haven’t been around long enough. Slightly irrational statements are sort of my bread-and-butter, hon.

Mudshark -- My low estimation was a temporary aberration, but I’ve recovered now and frankly I’m feeling quite arrogant about tonight.

Prediction: Forsberg is going to get confused and accidentally score on his own net; then Theodore will get confused and accidentally cripple him in a stick swinging accident. Good times had by all.

Trini -- True enough (about the potential early exit) but let’s pretend it’s not. Share my illusions of hockey team superiority. Much nicer that way…

Besides, I think the Avs should be worried about the same thing.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 03/04/08 at 02:08 PM ET

I’ve always believed there is something to be said for arrogance.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 03/04/08 at 02:21 PM ET

Slightly irrational?  Slightly? 

But if the Avs come out as flat in the first as they did against the Kings (seriously, the Kings), the Canucks have a good chance, and with Bobby Lou in net, the have one most of the time. 

Still, who am I supposed to boo at the game tonight?  Since there is no Todd B, I think it will be Henrik Sedin.  Not Daniel, just Henrik.  That should be easy to do, right? 

Posted by Tapeleg on 03/04/08 at 03:27 PM ET

So much anger in these parts.

Being pessimistic paid off for me last time, Alanah, but just in case-- if the Canucks are ahead late in the third, will you make sure to send me a taunting e-mail?

Posted by Greg from Atlanta on 03/04/08 at 03:38 PM ET

I was listening to Pierre McGuire last night talk about Ottawa’s chances of going deep into the playoffs and it really resonated with me. I kind of feel the same way about the Canucks. Unless the Canucks can find some heart on this team we’re headed for an early exit. Bottoms up!

The ‘Nucks have to make the playoffs before worrying about that…

I feel bad for Luongo.  He’s such a great goalie, but his teams tend to rely too heavily on that one aspect of their team because they are so comfortable with him back there.  Then he gets no offensive support...and no cup, and he deserves one (not that I want Vancouver to win).

Idea: How about you guys sign Theo in the off-season and trade Luongo to the Avs so he can actually win a cup?

Posted by NHLJeff from Boston, MA on 03/04/08 at 04:23 PM ET

I know you’re still a little bitter about events at the trade deadline, and it always sucks when an ex-player immediately succeeds elsewhere...but seriously, when was the last time Matt Cooke had a three-point-night as a Canuck?

I share both your optimism and pessimism—it’s really hard to know how things might go to finish the season. I know they’ve been disappointing lately, and haven’t been looking like they’ve got a lot of heart...but I still feel like there are two guys in that dressing room who will step up and get the team pulling together to make the playoffs: Mitchell and Luongo. We’re talking sheer force of defensive will.

Would love to see a couple of guys have a bit of an offensive breakout too, but I’ve become too cynical to believe it will happen. The Sedins will keep doing their thing, and the third-liners have actually been pretty solid this year...they just so need guys like Pyatt, Naslund and Morrison to play over their heads for a dozen games or so and pile up some points. Naslund in particular has looked really great at times, but then fades into the background for entire games.

Posted by Jeremy from Summerland, BC on 03/04/08 at 04:30 PM ET

mudshark -- Always fun. And better than tears.

Tapeleg -- They’re easy to tell apart: Henrik will be the one who first congratulates Daniel after Jose is chased out of the net…
(Irrational, you say? Irrational?!! Never!)

Greg -- Ugh. Don’t remind me… I sent that email with - what - 30 seconds left in the game?  Geezus. God hates Canucks fans. (But tonight is different—God hates Forsberg more...)

NHL Jeff -- Please don’t say things like that; what a terrifying thought.  Please, can’t we be friendly enemies?

Jeremy -- Ah yes, a little bitter indeed. But the issue isn’t that Cooke is likely to have 3 point nights all that often; the issue is that Vancouver doesn’t get their asses broken with hits at a rate of 15-2 very often when Cooke is around. Somehow, I gotta think that he would of had Blackhawks looking over their shoulders a bit more often, and thinking twice. Alas.

As for the rest of your comment, you sound much more rational than I do.  I’m not sure I like that.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 03/04/08 at 06:19 PM ET

God hates Canucks fans. (But tonight is different—God hates Forsberg more...)

Don’t make me trot out my “Sakic is God” jokes again. They’re old and worn out already, but I’ll use them if I must.

Posted by Greg from The A-T-L on 03/04/08 at 07:16 PM ET

Feel free to trot that joke out anytime, Greg.  If I’m following the logic to this point, then:

- God Hates Forsberg
- Sakic is God
- ergo, Sakic Hates Forsberg

Did I miss anything?

Man, it’s like shooting ducks in a barrel some days…

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 03/04/08 at 07:29 PM ET

No, no. My college logic teacher just screamed. It’s:

- Sakic is God
- Sakic and Forsberg are back on the same team
- Forsberg is some sort of “Assistant God”
- therefore, the Canucks will never win the Stanley Cup.

Posted by Greg from wherever you go, there you are on 03/04/08 at 08:35 PM ET