GDT 11/5/09 Wild VS Fucks....er....Nucks

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Wednesday, 11.04.2009 / 5:41 PM
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Staff Writer

CANUCKS (9-7-0) at WILD (5-9-0)

Last 10 -- Canucks 7-3-0; Wild 4-6-0

Season series -- This is the second of six meetings between the Northwest Division rivals. Vancouver took the first encounter 2-1 at GM Place on Oct. 17. Ryan Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson scored for Vancouver after Mikko Koivu gave the Wild a 1-0 lead in the first period. Roberto Luongo needed to make only 17 saves for the win. Nicklas Backstrom made 37 saves in a losing effort.

Big story -- The Wild have had four days to, as coach Todd Richards said, fix things. They have won back-to-back one-goal games, showing they may be getting it together under the new coach. This will be a good test as the Canucks are hot right now with solid wins in their last two games thanks to excellent goaltending from backup Andrew Raycroft. Tonight's game also starts a five-game road trip for the Canucks.

Team Scope:

Canucks -- Raycroft isn't making fans in Vancouver forget about Roberto Luongo, but he's at least making the captain's absence bearable. Raycroft shut out Colorado on Sunday and allowed only one goal to the Rangers on Tuesday night. He made 40 saves over the two games and is 3-1 in the absence of Luongo and finished Tuesday night with a League-best 1.52 goals-against average. The Canucks as a whole are banged up with six forwards out of the lineup, but Kesler has been doing just about everything and Samuelsson has taken up some of the scoring slack with a team-high eight goals, including two against the Rangers. The team has been sound defensively in three of the last four games. The good news is that Luongo is on the road trip and is close to returning.

Wild -- After winning only once in their first seven games, the Wild have won four of their last seven, including the last two in regulation. They beat the Rangers 3-2 at home on Friday. The next night they won 2-1 at Pittsburgh. Richards said he senses an enthusiasm on the ice that wasn't there in the early going. Winning, of course, does that. The Wild spent most of their up-tempo and high energy practice Wednesday on special teams. They led the NHL in penalty killing (88 percent) and were 14th in power play (21.3 percent) heading into Wednesday's games. Andrew Brunette was also back practicing after resting what he calls a left body injury, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Who's hot -- Kesler had three assists against the Rangers and has five points in his last two games. If he isn't already, he's nearing lock status when it comes to the U.S. Olympic team. Eric Belanger scored goals in both of Minnesota's wins this past weekend and is tied with Koivu for the team lead with 12 points.

Injury report -- The Canucks are ravaged by injuries. Luongo (broken rib) and Jannik Hansen (hand) are on the trip and close to returning, but Daniel Sedin (shoulder), Ryan Johnson (upper body), Alexander Bolduc (upper body), Michael Grabner (foot) and Pavol Demitra (shoulder) are also out. The Wild will be without defenseman Kim Johnsson (upper body) and forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion). Brunette is also banged up but he should play.

Stat pack -- Kesler entered Wednesday leading all American-born players with 16 points (5-11-16) in 16 games. … The Canucks were 5-0-1 against Minnesota last season as Henrik Sedin paced them with 1 goal and 8 assists in the six games. … The 37 saves Backstrom made in the first meeting against the Canucks is the most he's made since stopping the same amount of shots in a season-opening loss to Columbus. Despite the rough start for Minnesota, Backstrom still owns a 2.50 GAA and .916 save percentage. He's allowed two or fewer goals in seven of his 12 starts -- but three of those were losses.

Puck drop -- "The mood around the locker room and on the ice feels completely different," Richards told the Star-Tribune. "But we can't think everything's fine now that we've won two in a row. The teams that know how to win have learned they have to prove themselves every single day."

Wild continue hot streak, beat Canucks 4-3

BOOO NUCKS

HOORAY WILD

Seems like its been forever since there's been a game...hopefully we come out strong and win at home.

Well, now Bernier is also out and Hank is questionable so the hockey gods are setting you up for decent odds!

That said the Wild still have shallow depth and below par talent. It'll be good game.

cehnehdeh wrote:

Well, now Bernier is also out and Hank is questionable so the hockey gods are setting you up for decent odds!

That said the Wild still have shallow depth and below par talent. It'll be good game.

As you said on the official board, the injured Canucks right now make them about even with the Wild (nearly) healthy. This game is a fooking toss-up.

BTW, best GDT title EVER!

I don't think it'll be as close as Ceh says. I think that the Wild blow out Vancouver tonight.

5-1 Wild.

FUCK

Boogaard seriously needs to go. The guy simply just let the Canucks score because he isn't able to handle a pass and turned it over in our zone.

Oh, another minus for Sheppard too. lol

Wild_State_of_Hockey wrote:

Boogaard seriously needs to go. The guy simply just let the Canucks score because he isn't able to handle a pass and turned it over in our zone.

Oh, another minus for Sheppard too. lol

I watched that, it was all Sheppard. Good ol # 51 passed it right to hordichuk (sp?). Boogaard had nothing to do with it.

Sheppard sucks ass. When PM Bouchard comes back I hope Sheppard gets sent to the minors where he belongs

After watching that first period I have to ask: Who the fuck is gonna score your 5 goals WSOH?

Boogaard!

I said 5 goals, not a 5 minute major. (Oh wait, he's only getting a 4 minute double minor. )

timotheuzi wrote:

Wild_State_of_Hockey wrote:

Boogaard seriously needs to go. The guy simply just let the Canucks score because he isn't able to handle a pass and turned it over in our zone.

Oh, another minus for Sheppard too. lol

I watched that, it was all Sheppard. Good ol # 51 passed it right to hordichuk (sp?). Boogaard had nothing to do with it.

Um... no, it wasn't. The pass went right to Mr. Pylon himself; boogaard and he didn't even attempt to catch the pass. He let it bounce right off of him and THEN it went to Sheppard.

It all boils down to Boogaard not being able to play hockey at the NHL level.

Boogaard is about to break out.

Wild_State_of_Hockey wrote:

timotheuzi wrote:

Wild_State_of_Hockey wrote:

Boogaard seriously needs to go. The guy simply just let the Canucks score because he isn't able to handle a pass and turned it over in our zone.

Oh, another minus for Sheppard too. lol

I watched that, it was all Sheppard. Good ol # 51 passed it right to hordichuk (sp?). Boogaard had nothing to do with it.

Um... no, it wasn't. The pass went right to Mr. Pylon himself; boogaard and he didn't even attempt to catch the pass. He let it bounce right off of him and THEN it went to Sheppard.

It all boils down to Boogaard not being able to play hockey at the NHL level.

Watch it again, shep passed it directly to hordichuk

cehnehdeh wrote:

After watching that first period I have to ask: Who the fuck is gonna score your 5 goals WSOH?

Backstrom is scoring all 5....

Actually, I pick:

1. Havlat
2. Belanger
3. Brodziak
4. Belanger
5. Brunette

cehnehdeh wrote:

I said 5 goals, not a 5 minute major. (Oh wait, he's only getting a 4 minute double minor. )

On Boogaard? Say it aint so!

F boogaard....its that bullshit thatpisses me off

I think that boogey is going to f that team in the a tonight!

Boogie, if you're gonna get a 4 minute, at least drop the guy on his ass and make him bleed.

FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Dear Wild,

GET OFF YOUR FUCKING KNEES AND STOP BLOWING THE GAME!! You're at home!! Playing against an injured team! After winning two tough games back to back!!! After four days off!!! Show that you give a damn being out there or just go the hell home!!!

Yea, if he doesnt scored 50 goals by the Olympic break trade his ass!

I thought there was supposed to be a hockey game on tonight? Pssst Wild, you'll never score if you don't get a shot on goal.

hey there it is!!! Brodz

Thank you!