The guys in the picture aren't Canadian Veteran's being honored at the game, they are actually a covert ops group who have stolen the Canucks talent. It seems like we just can't win all of the sudden. After losing in OT to Brandon's Sabres back on the 15th, we lost to the 'Guins, got laughed out of LSF NHL Week by Jon's Hakws, and now dropped one to the Phoenix Coyotes. The latest debacle, a 2-3 loss to the Dogs, is just another example of how Vancouver has seemed like two completely different teams this month.
Damn you Taylor Pyatt! The former Canuck not only scored a goal that made it 2-0 in favor of the 'Yotes, but he also accidentally scored the game winner after the 'Nucks tried to come back. Taylor doubled up Phoenix's lead after Scottie Upshall got it going in the second (both on rebounds off Luongo), only to have the Vannies charge back. Christian Ehrhoff cut the lead in half on a deep slapper from in between the two circles at 8:51 of the second, and Tanner Glass tied the game up about five minutes later. But, in a hard fought third period, the Coyotes would prevail. Keith Yandle skated into the high slot, completely unchallenged by any Vancouver defenders, and blasted a shot. His shot bounced off of Pyatt and under Luongo's arm for the game winning goal. The Canucks just looked flat and uninspired for most of the game. The lack of a single power play may have been to blame.
The "real" media picked their three stars as follows: Taylor Pyatt (2 goals, +1), Christian Ehrhoff (1 goal, +1), and Keith Yandle (1 assist, even). That brings us to the "LSF Top Star Who Didn't Score A Point," Ryan Kesler. Nice to see the video game cover boy get another honor. Kes went +1 on the game, posting 3 shots, 1 minor penalty, and 18:53 of ice time. Now, if only he could have scored...
At 10-7-3, the Canucks are falling fast as the month of the American Turkey closes out. We've fallen right out of the division lead, as we're now -2 on Colorado, only +1 on Minnesota, +8 on Calgary, and +11 on Edmonton. Of course, that means things aren't so hot in the overall Western picture, either. We're now #8, and we're tied points-wise with the #9 Ducks. That really isn't a very comfortable spot to be in. Keep in mind, though, that only 5 points separate #1 and #8 in the West (while it's 9 in the East). Our goal differential is now just +2, as we're ranked 12th in goals scored and 14th in goals allowed. The SRS has dropped to +0.06, which ranks 15th in the league, and that's all with the 10th easiest schedule around. Man, that was a rough weekend.
It may have been more rough for former captain Roberto Luongo than anyone else. He was pulled against the hated Blackhawks, and then lost in what is usually a solid bounce back game after getting pulled. Is Luongo ever going to be a great NHL goalie? Where does he rank right now? Let's explore how he's doing this season. First, we'll compare GAA, SV%, and W against his five previous years (adjusted wins for 82 games). Then, we'll compare his SV% with that of other top goalies in the NHL here in 2010.
2006: 2.29 GAA, .921 SV%, 51 aW
2007: 2.38 GAA, .917 SV%, 39 aW
2008: 2.34 GAA, .920 SV%, 50 aW
2009: 2.57 GAA, .913 SV%, 48 aW
2010: 2.88 GAA, .907 SV%, 36 aW
Even I'm surprised by the above comparison. This season, just 20 games in, is looking like Luongo's worst since joining the Canucks in every major statistical category. But, maybe it's a NHL wide thing. How is he comparing in SV% with the other top goalies in the league?
Garon: .961
Thomas: .954
Pavelec: .939
Quick: .935
Price/Backstrom: .932
I'll stop there. Hockey Reference only ranks the top 20 in any NHL stat category, and in SV%, #20 is Dwayne Roloson from the Islanders (.912). Meanwhile, as stated above, Bobby Lu is floundering (.907). How did this happen? How did our franchise goalie suddenly become only around the 25th best goalie in the league? You can blame blue line injuries. You can blame a change in goalie coaches. But, sooner or later, the blame has to come back to Luongo. I can only hope that he can turn things around.
His first chance to do so will be at home against the division leading Colorado Avalanche on American Thanksgiving Eve. Chris Stewart and the Avs are coming to the Roger for just about as important a match as there can be in November in the NHL. The game will determine who has what it takes to head into the new month with the division lead.
Let's rise above the snow, and get this win.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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