01-11-2012, 10:04 PM
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#22
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MVP
OVR: 16
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Halifax, NS
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Re: FROZEN NOTES: A NHL 12 BLUES DYNASTY
BLUES IN TOUGH AGAINST CONFERENCE LEADING CANUCKS
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL ANALYSIS
May 4th, 2012
After eliminating two very good division rivals, the Blues will take on perhaps their biggest challenge when they play the Vancouver Canucks for the Western Conference Title.
The Canucks have been a very solid team this year, with very few changes to the team that made it all the way to the Cup finals last year. Once again, for most of the season the Nucks have dominated the Western Conference, finishing in first with 110 points. The number one ranked seed is perhaps fueled by vengeance after falling short of their goal last year when they pushed the Cup Finals to 7 games. Team Captain Henrik Sedin had stated before that "Coming that close, to fall short of your goal stays with you". It is perhaps that memory that drives this team, and they only have one more hurdle to pass before they get a shot at redemption.
Standing in their way is a well coached, gritty, hard working Blues team. The Blues have come together just at the right time, and are playing some of their best hockey right now. They are getting goals from all 4 lines, their defense is making big hits and making great heads up plays in their own zone, they goalie Halak has been sensational and when he has been off his game his team has supported him by scoring bushels of goals. Last but not least, they are staying out of the box and limiting their opponents opportunities on the powerplay.
The focus of the Blues during the course of this series will of course be to shut down the Sedins. With Vancouver, after the top 2 lines the scoring tapers off quite a bit. That 2nd line is also diminished with the injury to Ryan Kesler. Kesler has been a solid performing against the Blues in all 4 meetings this year and the Canucks are probably thinking they can't get him into the lineup soon enough. If the Blues can shut down the Sedins, much like they shut down Hossa, Toews, and Kane then they'll be in good shape.
The other focus in this series will be Luongo. The Blues must know that he can be rattled very easily. They will need to get plenty of shots on him during the course of the game. If they can get a few early goals then that will throw him off and make it that much more easier to get more. Another threat is the big, hard hitting defense of the Canucks. They use those big hits not only to wear down your team but to also generate momentum. During last years cup run several big goals were scored after a big Canucks hit. The Blues D, who aren't small themselves will have to match this intensity hit for hit. Guys like Pronger, Jackman, Carkner, and Foster should have no problem generating monster hits.
The last area of focus will be the 5 on 5 play. The Canucks have been a terrific Penalty Killing team all year and we have seen teams that specialize on the powerplay struggle against them. To win this series the Blues will need to beat the Canucks 5 on 5.
The season series between these two teams was won by Vancouver 3-1, although the scores were always relatively close; decided by 2 or less goals. We will see who shows up as Game 1 is set to go in 2 nights on May 6th at the Rogers Centre.
SEASON HEAD TO HEAD
VANCOUVER CANUCKS TEAM STATS
VANCOUVER CANUCKS SEASON LEADERS
ST. LOUIS BLUES TEAM STATS
ST. LOUIS BLUES SEASON LEADERS
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