Really? THAT was Game 1?

Against the Blackhawks?

The same Blackhawks that resulted in the Massacre at the Madhouse last playoffs, where Chelsea Dagger played the Canucks right out of the playoffs?

Where Dustin Byfuglien was this out of control rampaging monster that the Canucks couldn’t hope to contain him?

And the Canucks won 5-1?

Wow.

I am le horrible with le blogging. I know. Interviews and other responsibilities have taken me away from this. Or, excuses, excuses. What will the lazy bastard come up with next?

Ahem. So, the Edmonton game was pretty horrible. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to blog that, as I like to try and write something up even when the Canucks lose. So, sorry. I do think that Luongo looked bad and that he’s probably run out of mulligans this season for off nights. I’ve got something brewing shortly looking at Luongo, but, well, time.

Normally if a goalie makes 50 stops, you’d figure that they won the game after putting up such an impressive performance.

Not the case tonight for Roberto Luongo, who may felt like he was back in Florida playing for the Panthers. It was in Florida, you’ll recall, that Luongo set a dubious record for most shots faced in a single NHL season. The fact that the Canucks defense was having, and this is putting it charitably, an off-night must’ve had him thinking he had fallen asleep in a hot tub and gone back in time.

Man, what an intense looking bunch there. Wellwood especially. I kid, I kid. Anyway, here’s a brief recap of the Canucks week that was, although it’s a little light on some details.

Lots to talk about this week, both on ice and off. Olympic nominations! The World Juniors! Off-ice shenanigans! Oh yes, and the Canucks also played a couple of games as well. While everyone was out celebrating Christmas and Festivus, I was staying on top of things in Canuckland. Here’s what you need to know about the Week That Was.

While tonight’s game against the last place Edmonton Oilers may not appear to have the makings of a changing point for the Canucks, it could very well end up being one for them.

Prior to tonight, the Canucks had fared incredibly well against opponents that were on hot streaks or above them in the standings and were absolutely dreadful against last place teams. Expectations for some fans weren’t really that high against the last place Oilers, so having a convincing 4-1 win against the Oilers may have been just what the doctor ordered.  Add in a Boxing Day victory at home, something the Canucks haven’t accomplished in 35 years, and things are suddenly looking very good.

Canucks ‘Blue’ Chance At Eighth Seed In Ugly Affair

Fans in Vancouver will undoubtedly be angry at Mike Leggo and the on-ice officiating in tonight’s game against the St. Louis Blues, who defeated them 3-1 on game 6 of their 8 game homestand. I am of course referring to the poor decision against Alex Burrows that would’ve put the Canucks within one goal of the Blues midway through the third period. Or maybe it was the lack of a double minor against Burrows after he was decked in the mouth and required stitches. Or the fact that the referees were calling anything and everything in the first and then inexplicably decided to put their whistles away for the rest of the game.

A bit later than usual on this one, apologies. I got distracted with some other stuff. Anyway, here’s my thoughts on tonight’s game against the Washington Capitals.

After putting forth a performance not even a mother could love Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks, the Canucks were looking to put forth a far better effort as they went up against the Washington Capitals, a team ranked third overall in the NHL.

I was hoping that the Canucks inconsistent nature had gotten sorted out after a rather convincing win on Monday against the Kings. The Canucks were clicking on all points, getting contributions on the PP, being flawless on the PK and improving in the faceoff circle.

Based on what transpired tonight in GM Place, you wouldn’t have known that  the Canucks had been improving and looking like a team that was on the upswing. I don’t even know where to begin.

A little late with the postscript here, but no harm, no foul, right?

The Canucks played what was essentially a perfect game last night against the Flyers, a team who has now lost 6 of their last 7. I’m not sure what more you could have asked for from the team, outside of chasing the starter, this game had it all.