Fan In Van

Back to Basics

It’s really no wonder that the Vancouver Canucks are facing a little adversity after their drubbing at the hands of the Hawks in Game 2. No one said the Canucks were going to force a second round sweep of a Chicago team that by all rights is much faster and more skilled. But for every team in the playoffs, when facing some adversity, you’ve simply got to buckle down and get back to basics.

It’s real simple. The Canucks, fans are hoping, have re-tooled their game to match up better against the Hawks who, in all certainty, have a much better transition game than the St. Louis Blues did. Simply put, while the Canucks are generating a handful of scoring opportunities in the Chicago end, the Blackhawks have blueliners such as Brian Campbell, Brent Seabrook and Cam Barker who are able to make a strong outlet pass to counterattack the Canuck offense.

What do the Canucks have to do to prevent the Chicago transition game from burning them? It will be a daunting task without Sami Salo (who has easily been the Canucks’ best defenceman thus far), but the blueline corps has to be able to match the Chicago speed. Forwards like David Bolland and Patrick Kane have been able to find open ice in the neutral zone which have made them perfect passing targets. The Canuck defence has to be able to clog up the neutral zone in ways they haven’t done before.

In addition, basic plays need to be worked on again. Ugly goals are what wins playoff games, and the Canucks are being beaten in the corners of the ice, outhustled, and losing puck battles against fast skaters. If the Canucks can slow down the Chicago skaters with some tougher play, they have a better chance at winning those battles and preventing the Chicago chances.

The other key for the Canucks going into their two-game stint in Chicago is to simply stay relaxed. Making desperate plays which draws penalties have burned the squad as of late. If the Canucks can do all those things, they’ll have a much better chance at coming out of Chicago with the split they are searching for.

In other news, some Canuck players were taking in a Cubs game last night. Check it out!