So, I’m ridiculously late. Also, I didn’t post Postscripts on the last two Canucks games. With the Olympics going on, I figure a) not many people care and b) I wanted to enjoy the festivities myself, so I took a bit of a break from blogging this weekend. I’m sure my ones and ones of fans are devastated with this communications blackout.

Anyway, a recap of the Canucks last week before the Olympics, yes?

Games

The first stage of the Road Trip From Hell ended this week, with the Canucks going .500 for the first eight games of the fourteen game extravaganza. The week opened up with a pair of games against the two Florida teams, which saw the Canucks split decisions between them, losing to Tampa in an ugly affair and then having Luongo post a shutout against Florida in the first of back to back games. The second affair saw the Canucks pull off a stunning come from behind victory, earning Andrew Raycroft his 100th career win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, after a rather ugly start from the team.

Things closed out on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild, an afternoon affair that saw the Canucks put in a completely ugly effort before going off before the Olympics. I hate making excuses for the Canucks, especially in games where the Canucks get trounced, but I’d say that the Canucks were pretty clearly distracted by the Olympics. With 8 players set to represent their respective countries, it’s pretty hard to stay focused.

Then again, Minny has now won the last two matchups between the squads, so perhaps the better team simply won on Sunday.

Injuries

Nothing new with Mitchell or Bieksa. It’s hoped Mitchell will be back sometime after the Olympics, as he’s still exhibiting concussion symptoms. I haven’t seen anything new on Bieksa, who is still hoped to be back in mid-March.

The big news this week, though, is that Henrik Sedin has been playing with an injury for the past ten games or so, according to Jason Botchford.

Off Ice

Pavol Demitra left the team early in the week to travel back home, due to his wife falling ill (original article, not in English.) He missed most of the action this week and suited up on Sunday.

I missed this earlier, but apparently there was interest exhibited by Mike Gillis in St. Louis Blues defenseman Darryl Sydor last offseason. This might explain, at least in part, who Gillis and company were scouting at that Montreal/Blues game a few weeks ago. While I have nothing against Sydor, the Canucks already have an established veteran blueliner with playoff experience in Brad Lukowich and I’m not sure he’d be much (if any) of an upgrade for the Canucks.

The Moose

Canucks prospect and defenseman Taylor Ellington was re-assigned to the Victoria Salmon Kings earlier this week. Not particularly a good sign for the former second round pick.

Speaking of disappointing, Matt Pope, a guy who racked up a some points in the Moose’s Calder Cup run last season, was also demoted to the ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors. Pope only has 1 point in 25 games played with the Moose this season and is part of the contingent of disappointments that have panned out this season. I liked what little I saw of Pope as an energy player, but I guess the coaching staff were expecting a bigger contribution from him.

Not everything was dire in Mooseland this week, though, as they received some help on the blueline. Nick Boynton of the Anaheim Ducks was also placed on waivers this week and, since the Ducks don’t have an AHL affiliate this season, was assigned to the Moose. Nolan Baumgartner was also sent back down to the Moose, presumably for the duration of the Olympic break and contingent on Willie Mitchell still being out once the Olympics are over, so the Moose’s blueline is looking a lot better now.

I love the picture the Moose used to herald Baumgartner’s return to Manitoba:

Whoever picks the photos over at their website has a sense of humor, methinks!

Oh yeah, there were some games, too. The Moose played a pair of games this week, both against the Toronto Marlies. Friday’s game went rather well, Michael Grabner netted a pair as the Moose trounced the Baby Leafs (the Seeds?) 5-1. Toronto bounced back the next night, though, as they beat the Moose 2-1, with Grabner getting the lone marker.

Hopefully this is a sign that Grabner is starting to heat back up, after going cold for a spell.

Prospects

I got something cooking later in the week, so I’m going to forego updates on the Canucks prospects tonight. I know, second time in a week, but I have made a promise for content and I WILL deliver (hopefully!)

Enjoy the Olympics everyone!

It comes down to six.

The bottom six, specifically. Tonight’s game was a frustrating one that saw the Canucks put forth a rather solid effort, but found themselves lacking a bit in the ‘puck luck’ department. Unfortunately, were it only that, the Canucks probably would’ve had something to show other than a regulation loss to the Bolts.

Offensively, the Canucks continue to slide. The Sedins continue to be silent and the offensive contributions from the second line are starting to dry up: outside of a lone marker from Ryan Kesler there wasn’t much going on in terms of secondary scoring. Even worse, the Canucks gave up a short handed goal.

While the problems with the top six is worrisome, I’d argue that the real issue lay with the bottom six. All eyes were on two players in particular tonight: Steve Bernier and Jannik Hansen, both players who were out of the lineup. I’ll be honest, I was hoping for a strong effort from both of them, as I figured both players would have something to prove: Bernier was scratched against Boston, while Hansen had been sent down on a conditioning stint. Neither particularly overwhelmed me: Bernier looked flat out there, while Hansen didn’t do much to really stand out. I wouldn’t necessarily blame them individually, though.

The reason? Well, the Canucks bottom six is a mess and that leads to problems on the road where Alain Vigneault doesn’t have the luxury of the last change. When you have half of your forwards being ineffectual or lost out there it makes it very easy for opposing coaches to match up against the players who are actually capable of doing something out there and shutting them down.

There’s more to it, but the Sedins slumping can at least be partially explained by our problems in the lower lines. On the plus side, Ryan Johnson being out of the lineup meant that the fourth line didn’t spend all their time in the defensive zone. They still looked disorganized and out of sorts, but hey, some progress. I will say that Hansen’s forechecking skills helped keep that line out of their own end.

Defensively, the Canucks blueline was pretty bad, too. Aaron Rome, who had been quietly playing some acceptable hockey as of late, mucked that all up with a terrible performance, looking very lost out there. Edler was shooting the puck early and often, but wasn’t realy noticeable beyond that.

Positives from tonight’s game? I liked the start the Canucks had and the fact that they were working hard. Hard work only amounts to so much if you can’t get results, but I liked the fact that this road game looked more like the Montreal game (where the Canucks were getting chances) and less like the Ottawa game (where the Canucks looked like they were unable to find the offensive zone without a map.) I’d rather the Canucks lose while putting forth a good effort than have them lose and look like crap. Kesler’s goal was a thing of beauty and I’m glad to see he’s learning how to be effective on the road. Other than that, Luongo looked good, but not great and Shane O’Brien was really the only other Canuck who I thought was looking good out there.

Canucks square off against the Panthers Thursday.