Can't give up an inch in urgency for series clinch
Debacle of 2003 playoffs still sticks like gum on the shoes of Canucks faithful
ROUND 1, GAME 6, STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
When and where: Friday, 4 p.m., Bridgestone Arena
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The buzz: Don't go there. Don't even think about it.
There's already enough franchise playoff angst with struggles to close out a series. The 2003 debacle sticks like annoying gum on the shoe of Canucks faithful and is hard to remove.
There was a clear path to the Stanley Cup Final with a comfortable 3-1, second-round series lead over the Minnesota Wild. The Western Conference final against the upstart and No. 7-seeded Anaheim Ducks was going to be a breeze. Bring it on. Let's go. We all know what happened. A numbing 5-1 road loss in Game 6 at Minnesota and then blowing a 2-0 lead in Game 7 en route to a stunning 4-2 setback on home ice. Current Predators head coach Andrew Brunette was on Jacques Lemaire's offence-choking Wild squad and scored the first and last goals in Game 6.
Which brings us to Friday in Music City.
The sense of urgency for the Canucks to close out their first-round series is immense. They played 40 strong minutes in Game 5 and lost a 2-1 heartbreaker.
They'll need 60 minutes, or more, in Game 6 to end it and not find themselves immersed in a pressure-cooker Game 7 on Sunday at Rogers Arena.
“Sometimes in the closeout game, you push the envelope too much and give up odd-man rushes or power plays,” said Canucks coach Rick Tocchet. “They (Predators) are a good rush team and good on the forecheck. I didn't think we were connected in Game 4 and a lot better in Game 5.”
Who gets the net? It usually works like this in the playoffs. You win, you stay in. You lose, you're out.
However, it's more complicated for the Canucks. With Thatcher Demko rehabbing a knee injury and Casey DeSmith nursing minor lower-body discomfort — he was the backup stopper in Game 5 — what happens in Game 6?
Ride rookie Arturs Silovs, who has looked remarkably poised, or defer to a veteran who has won some big games this season?
“What's the (DeSmith) percentage health-wise and every time he practises it's a big thing,” Tocchet said Thursday following practice. “Are you tentative or not on a postto-post save? Stuff like that comes into play. That's what it comes down to.
“Casey is one of the best guys you'll ever coach and really great in the room. I make my decision on the crest. It's a team thing and Casey has been there for us. And it's no different whether it's tomorrow (Friday) or whatever. I don't know (the starter) yet.”
The hope: Whatever we think is bothering Elias Pettersson isn't a Game 6 story. He looks shaken and sore. He's not playing to his customary pace and his puck decisions to defer rather than shoot are telling. Shot releases lack the usually big flex, velocity and accuracy to pick corners. Is it the wrist? Is it the added post-season attention?
Pettersson has no points and seven shots through five games. Do you load up the Lotto Line to get him going?
The fear: Slow start. Don't tip your toes in playoff waters. Take the crowd out of the game by striking early. The Canucks opened the scoring in Game 3 and Game 4 in Nashville.
The discipline: Nikita Zadorov skated a fine post-game quote line following Game 6. The hulking defenceman was clearly miffed at the officiating, especially with his light cross-checking minor against Filip Forsberg that came complete with quite the sell job. Dakota Joshua finishing his check and being called for boarding riled up the Russian even more.
The wounded: Canucks: Demko (knee, week-to-week). Predators: Spencer Stastney (upper body, day-to-day).
The quote: “We have to get traffic in front of (Juuse) Saros. He doesn't quit on plays, so you've got to bear down.” — Tocchet
The prediction: The Canucks revert to Game 3. They strike twice on the power play and claim a series-clinching 4-2 win.