Morning Mashup: Kesler Lifts Canucks to Game 4 Win
In rather convincing fashion the Vancouver Canucks knocked off the Nashville Predators 4-2 last night. After winning the second game in Vancouver and sweeping the back-to-back set in Nashville, the Canucks have pushed the Preds to the brink. Although the Sedin twins have been MIA for much of the series, Ryan Kesler has elevated his game to a new level, with two goals and six points in his last two games.
The Canucks have proved to be too much to handle for Nashville, who had relied heavily on Pekka Rinne between the pipes. At the opposite end, Roberto Luongo has been solid when he has to be, albeit having long periods of time without facing a shot. While the defense has played relatively well in front of Luongo, it will be even better when Sami Salo returns from injury on Saturday in front of the home fans.
The turning point in the series may be the beautiful goal scored by Kesler last night and the final thorn in the Predators side. Barring a monumental comeback, the Canucks are poised to advance to the Western Conference final.
As Alex Burrows stated to members of the media after the game, “We’re pretty confident in tight games. We’re not going to break down. We’re going to make the other team break down.”
Lucky for Burrows, the most tight and hard fought games have yet to be played. Things only get more challenging from this point forward for Canada’s only team still alive in the post season.
Playoff Links:
Kesler’s goal helps Canucks get 3-1 lead
Ryan Kesler scores the game winner in last nights 4-2 victory over the Preds.
Bolts’ Bergenheim breaks out as playoff scoring star
Sean Bergenheim is having a coming out party for the Lightning during the playoffs.
Caps coach Boudreau gets vote of confidence
Bruce Boudreau expected to return behind the Capitals bench next season.
Who was the NHL’s most outstanding player of 2010-11?
Daniel Sedin, Corey Perry and Steven Stamkos nominated for the Ted Lindsay Trophy.
Video: Bruins fan pulls ultimate prank on Habs fan boss
Canadiens fan pulls a hilarious prank on his boss.
World Championship Links:
Canada’s Skinner hopes 19th birthday is filled with gold
Jeff Skinner hopes to bring home a gold medal for Canada just in time for his 19th birthday.
Last Night in Leafs Prospects:
The room for error is quickly closing on the Owen Sound Attack, who lost 6-2 at the hands of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors last night. The Majors, who took a two game lead in the series, have done an excellent job of shutting down Owen Sound’s big guns, most notably Joey Hishon and Garrett Wilson. They have also frustrated the opposition and forced them into taking undisciplined penalties. Jesse Blacker scored the Attack’s second goal to tie the game at two before Mississauga took over. Blacker has 12 points and is a plus-7 in 16 playoff games this season.
Your Say:
Do the Predators have any hope of getting back into the series? Will the Canucks need Sedins to elevate their game in order to even have a chance at making the Stanley Cup final or has Ryan Kesler’s play compensated for their inability to produce?
