Motor City Mayhem
Oct 16th, 2008 | By Mike | Category: NewsPardon the absence, I’m still washing the puke and bile from my mouth after watching the Canucks be absolutely dominated by a team that used Fedorov on defense, couldn’t score against a back-up in net and were held to shots in the single digits for 58 minutes. Gaaaaaaaaa.
As I stated in the comments of Monday’s liveblog, if there is any silver lining to that loss, it’s that shitting the bed against the Caps will hopefully get this team motivated to beat the reigning Stanley Cuppers. If Detroit pasted them, the excuse would have been “Well it’s Detroit.” Now, they have no excuses.
On the happy fluffy side, we have news on the Rypien DNA being quite a pissy one, Johnson (who was one of the only standout players on Monday) is leading by example and Kesler wants to stick it to the Wings in front of dad. Also Bieksa may be back for Sunday’s game against the Blackhawks.
On the flip side, the Wings could be without Zetterberg because of a nagging groin injury so they may resort to some line juggling.
And, just for fun, is how Chelios wanted to kill Def Leppard for their flipping the Cup upside down on opening night. FINALLY, after all this time, Chelios does something I agree with. He gets my coveted gold star for the day.
All together, this team has to have a far better showing tonight then Monday. They can’t have a fourth straight game with a lethargic start and assume their speed will win in the end. The Caps killed them with speed and skill and Detroit will be even better at that.
My recommendation? Sit both Wellwood and Pyatt. Between the two, sit Pyatt at least. I don’t buy that Vigneault isn’t concerned about his second line because he should. Three games in, the line has one goal, one assist and sports a spiffy +/- of -7. Get Hordichuk back in on the fourth line and give more ice time to Rypien to see what he can do with it.
Still early in the season and certainly no time for excuses. The guys are simply going to have to outwork a better team tonight. Get it done.
Go Canucks.
October 16th, 2008 12:27 pm
Nice preview – I agree with all of your points, especially Pyatt. He looks way too slow for Demitra/Raymond. Who do you like on that line instead of Pyatt? Kesler? Hansen? If that 2nd line fails again tonight, AV has to shake it up in my opinion.
October 16th, 2008 12:39 pm
I’d be game to see Kesler out there with those two. Perhaps even in the centre, with Demitra getting a chance to play from the outside. I’ve not been terribly impressed with him, either, and perhaps a change in spots would benefit him.
Only thing is, I don’t know who would fill in at centre if Vignault used one of them on the wings. Any idea?
October 16th, 2008 12:49 pm
[...] aren’t going to put in a full effort, since this is virtually vacation time for them, and Zetterberg may be out with a mild injury. If the ‘Nucks can come out of the gates full-force, they may have a shot at winning this [...]
October 16th, 2008 1:01 pm
Birrell – Thanks man. I have no idea who to put on that line because we (as fans) barely know what Demitra and Raymond are capable of. A small part of me would say maybe drop Bernier back but then I’d have no idea who to put on that top line. So maybe Hansen is the experiment for Demitra and Raymond. I REALLY want to see a third line of Burrows/Kesler/Rypien.
Neb – Vigneault doesn’t have much wiggle room at wing. Hell, if Wellwood is such the playmaker as all his fans tell me, then move Demitra to RW and slot Wellwood in there between them. I’m not sure I’d move Kesler just yet; why sink the productivity of two lines when it’s just one that needs tweaking?
In fact, the more I think about it, the more I like that. At least for one game; we’ll know Wellwood will get his ass handed to him far more then Pyatt but if he can get the puck off to either Pavol or Mason it’ll be worth it.
October 16th, 2008 4:01 pm
I don’t see why Wellwood wouldn’t have a shot at clicking with Demitra anyways. He was a top scorer in juniors, and it’s as good a gamble as any!
Pyatt may be big, but he’s not as physical as he could be, and having a big winger’s useless anyways unless he can move like Bert used to. Much better to have the slower centre and Pavol using his speed on the wings, IMO. That’s why I wondered about the Kesler thing in the first place!
October 16th, 2008 4:35 pm
Kes has to be out there against the Zetterbergs and Thorntons of the world. He’s more valuable that way (especially with the Van roster as it is) then trying to spring either Raymond or Demitra. My two cents anyway…and the lines already for tonight have Hordichuk in, Wellwood is sitting again and Pyatt gets another shot at not sucking.
October 16th, 2008 4:48 pm
Big happy pint of strong Danish beer for Hansen’s first NHL goal.