Canucks Report: Feb 10

DAN HAMHUIS INJURED

The Canucks have the day off today, so there won’t be any further update on the condition of defenseman Dan Hamhuis, who was knocked out cold after he took an elbow to the head from Anaheim forward Ryan Getzlaf.

Early indications were positive.

"Dan has got the glass plastered to his face right now," Vigneault said. "He has got a big red mark, but he seemed fine."

The Canucks have two days off before hosting the Calgary Flames on Saturday night. It’s unknown whether Hamhuis will play.

CANUCKS RECALL ORESKOVICH

Vancouver Canucks President and General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that right wing Victor Oreskovich has been recalled from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. Aaron Volpattihas been re-assigned to Manitoba.

Oreskovich, 24, has appeared in 31 games for the Moose this season, recording 11 points (4-7-11) and 27 penalty minutes. The Whitby, Ontario native has played in 50 career NHL games, collecting six points (2-4-6) and 26 penalty minutes.

Oreskovich was acquired along with Keith Ballard from the Florida Panthers on draft day for Steve Bernier, Michael Grabner and a 1st round pick.

Volpatti, 25, has split the season between the Moose and Canucks. He has registered six points (0-6-6) in 26 games in Manitoba and two points (1-1-2) in 15 games with Vancouver, including his first NHL goal.

February Giveaway!

Okay, okay. I know I've got two posts on the day already to make this the 3rd, but this is just too good to pass up.

McDonalds is started to serve Buttermilk Biscuits in Canada on Tues, January 25th. They are supposed to be offering Free Biscuit Sandwiches on Feb 9 & 10th: 

*Sausage, Egg and Cheese
*Bacon, Egg and Cheese
*Sausage only

One per customer, breakfast hours only. It's supposed to be nation-wide.


Sauce? Yes please!


McDonald's Canada Home Page


AS A NOTE, I AM NOT DOING THE GIVING

Around the League: Mikael Samuelsson is the NHL's second star

Canucks forward Mikael Samuelsson was named the NHL’s second star last week, leading the NHL in scoring with six points (two goals, four assists) in three games.

Samuelsson recorded multiple points in each game, starting with one goal and one assist in a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Feb. 1. He recorded two assists in a 6-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes Feb. 2 and finished the week by notching one goal and one assist in a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Feb. 4. Skating in his second season with the Canucks, Samuelsson ranks fourth on the club in scoring with 33 points (11 goals, 22assists) in 52 games.

“Since we put him back with Ryan and Mason he’s been playing better, playing to his strengths and we need him to contribute, obviously he is a big part of our team and he knows that and it’s good to see that he is finding his stride right now,” said Coach Alain Vigneault.

Samuelsson too, was quick to credit his new line mates.

“Absolutely, we played a lot last year, so we have found some chemistry right away. I feel good about it”.

Samuelsson’s hot streak comes on the heels of a 14 game goalless stretch, but his teammates never worried about the much publicized mid-season slump.

“This is the time of year that he steps up, he did it last year too, he was unbelievable in the playoffs last year too, this is what we need from him,” said Captain Henrik Sedin.

Canucks Report: Feb. 7

The Canucks (34-10-9, 77 points) place their league leading home record up against the NHL’s third worst road record tonight as the Ottawa Senators (17-28-8, 42 points) come to town. Having lost 15 of their last 16 games, the Senators now hold the third worst record in the NHL, above only the New York Islanders (41 points) and Edmonton Oilers (38 points).

The Canucks currently lead the NHL's overall standings and rank first in faceoffs, second on the power play and third in offense, defense and the penalty kill. The Canucks boast the NHL’s best goal differential (+54), the Senator’s, the league’s worst (-57).

On paper, it’s a matchup between two teams that couldn’t have less in common.

Trap game: when a great team looks beyond a lesser opponent, assuming they can coast to victory without bringing their A-game. It’s a pitfall this year’s Vancouver Canucks pride themselves on never falling victim to and, to a man, every Canuck player and coach alike vows not to take the Ottawa Senators lightly.

“Every game is the same for us, it doesn’t matter what the situation is, who we are playing, what the standings are we want to have the same approach and mentality coming in here, work hard and play our game,” said Coach Alain Vigneault. “There are no given points in this league, anybody team can beat anybody anytime, so we have to be ready to play”.

Roberto Luongo gets the start in net tonight. The NHL’s hottest goalie over the past two months has a career 7-11-1 mark against the Ottawa Senators, most of the losses coming when he was with Florida Panthers against some very good early 2000’s Senators teams.

“We’re getting ready for a real good opponent tonight, we know they are going to play real hard and we’re gonna do the same thing,” said Luongo.

One lineup change tonight as Andrew Alberts slots in after missing eight games with a shoulder injury. He  takes Chris Tanev’s spot on the third defense pairing, playing alongside Keith Ballard.

Canucks Report: Feb. 3

The Canucks look for their third straight win against a struggling Coyotes team in Phoenix tonight. The Coyotes have lost their last four in a row at home, allowing over four goals a game in the process. They are 10-9-5 in Glendale this season and only the last-place Edmonton Oilers (7-13-4) have fewer home-ice wins in the West.

Roberto Luongo gets the start in net tonight for the Canucks. He had 25 saves in a 3-2 loss to Phoenix earlier this season, but is still 8-4-1 with a 1.95 GAA in 13 games against the Coyotes since being acquired by the Canucks prior to 2006-07.

Luongo will look to continue a hot streak that has seen him post a 12-0-5 record in his last 17 starts; his last regulation loss coming almost two months ago on December 5th against the St Louis Blues.

Aaron Volpatti will sit out after suffering an upper body injury during the first period of yesterday’s game against the Dallas Stars. Jeff Tambellini slides back in on the fourth line right wing, while Tanner Glass will move over to the left side. The defensive pairings will remain the same.

The Coyotes are the fifth highest scoring team in the Western Conference, but don’t have a player with more than 15 goals, or a forward with more than 40 points. They have 9 players between 10-15 goals, and are one of only two teams in the NHL with a defenseman (Keith Yandle 9-36-45) leading the team in scoring (Nashville’s Shea Weber being the other). Conversely, the Canucks have three forwards with more than 40 points (D Sedin, H Sedin, Kesler) and two with more than 25 goals (D. Sedin, Kesler).

“The Coyotes are a real strong team, one of the best teams in the conference, they play real hard in both ends and it’s going to be a good matchup,” said Coach Alain Vigneault.

Tonight’s Game features one of the league’s best power play units against one of its worst. The Canucks lead the NHL with 49 power play goals and are tops on the road at 28.6 percent, while the Coyotes rank a lowly 22nd on the penalty kill at 79.6 percent.

After the game the Canucks return home to prepare for a Friday night matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.