Another horribly late postscript. I apologize. My move from Toronto to Calgary has drained the hell out of me so I’m just getting things sorted out. I basically passed out after the game last night and had to run around doing errands today, hence the superlate post. I’m hoping things will be totally sorted come Saturday. We’ll see…

So last night’s game marked the last time the Vancouver Canucks will be gracing GM Place for a long, long time. Over 40 days and 40 nights, as a matter of fact. As such, it was important for the Canucks to leave Vancouver on a high note and hopefully carry their play into the beginning of what I’ve termed as The Road Trip From Hell. Unfortunately, their opponents were the St. Louis Blues, a team that has regularly had their number (outside of the post-season, that is.) If there was a team that could end up playing the role of spoiler for the fans at GM Place Wednesday night, it would’ve been them.

I have to say, for two teams that have a sort of mini-rivalry going between them and for a team that has been as red hot as the Canucks have been as of late, it wasn’t exactly the most exciting game in Canucks history. Lots of back and forth passing with minimal shots on goal. The second period, especially, was horrific and I think talk over at the Canucks live blog turned to hockey jerseys and other mundane topics.

Still though, despite the Blues best attempts at trying to bore the opposition into submission, the Canucks managed to cruise by them and earn another 2 points. Again, there’s a ton of positives to be taking out of tonight’s game, so let’s start with that.
I guess it’s nice that folks can complain when the Sedins are having a bad night when they play a game like they did and don’t put up any points. I thought that Trois Kronors (I’m going to make that nickname for that line stick, dangit) had a great night even though they didn’t put up any points. While they were out on the ice, they were dictating the play and had the Blues forced back on their heels. Yes, they didn’t score and Alexander Ovechkin loomed dangerously close to the scoring lead as a result, but it wasn’t from lack of chances or from effort. The line was capable of swinging momentum back in the Canucks favor which allowed for the second line to put up some points.

And how about that second line? In years past, having our top line held off the score sheet would have spelled disaster for the Canucks. Mason Raymond ‘only’ had a pair (what, no hat trick?) while Ryan Kesler had a big night. I’ve noted that the lack of offense from him as of late shouldn’t be worrisome as he’s been making plays and has been working his butt off. Working hard has got to be the mission statement for that second line: I’ve lauded Mikael Samuelsson for his efforts, while Mason Raymond has come a long way this season, looking like a bonafide NHLer, rather than a youngster who keeps falling down. That’s not meant as a diss, either, all players take time to mature and I’m glad to see Raymond finally hitting his stride.

I also thought Alex Edler has continued his strong play as of late. He looked good in the Buffalo game, hitting post more often than not and that continued into tonight’s game, where he kept hitting the iron. Over on Twitter, I had hoped that Edler would answer the challenge and elevate his play due to Bieksa, Mitchell and Salo being out and so far it looks like he’s been doing well. There was that giveaway he had, mind, but I thought that Edler’s overall play as of late has been some of his best hockey this season. Great to see.

The same can’t be said for some of the Canucks other defensemen. Shane O’Brien is starting his Jekyll to Hyde metamorphosis from respectable blueliner to ‘oh dear God what were you thinking?!’ disasterpiece as last night wasn’t his most stellar game, starting off with his delay of game penalty in the first (the team’s second such call that night) and continued with some questionable decisions out on the ice. I think it’s apparent that more icetime is something that needs to be carefully handled with SOB, otherwise problems develop. That, or he needs to get another tattoo done up, pronto.

Baumgartner, a guy whom I’ve been critical of since he has been recalled, yet managed to shut me up with his play against the Hawks and Sabres, also had a rather dodgy night. It’s to be expected when you’re dealing with AHL callups and Baumgartner did do a great job of absolving himself of one really bad giveaway in the first period by neutralizing the Blues attacker, but there were more than a few mistakes creeping in there.

Rhetorical question, but do we always need 2 of Tanner Glass, Rick Rypien and Darcy Hordichuk in the lineup? Look, I understand that coach AV likes having some guys who can chuck ‘em in his lineup but with Shane O’Brien on the backend and guys like Ryan Kesler and Steve Bernier already in the lineup who can throw ‘em (although I understand AV might not necessarily WANT those guys fighting I’m just pointing out that they can) is it really necessarily to have 2 guys who can fight in the bottom six?

I only ask because there’s that Jannik Hansen fellow who has been sitting for many a game and hasn’t had the chance to get into the lineup and because the three guys I mentioned haven’t exactly been playing electrifying hockey as of late.

One other thing, I came across this picture on game night. Check out the kid on the lefthand side. I don’t know why, but I found it amusing:

Canucks play the Leafs Saturday as part of Hockey Day In Canada. Hopefully I’ll be a bit better with updates by then!