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   VS. 

3. VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS. ST. LOUIS BLUES

JOSH BREWSTER

CORE MATCHUP: Kevin Bieksa, Matty Ohlund, Alexander Edler and Sami Salo vs. Andy MacDonald, Brad Boyes, David Backes and T.J. Oshie. When Roberto Luongo is in net, the opposition must crack Luongo early in the series and often. St. Louis will be hard-pressed to beat Luongo in games one and two, and if it doesn’t happen, the Blues will be behind the eight-ball no matter how well they play. If the Vancouver defense, an underrated one for sure, can halt Andy Mac and crew from scoring early, it’ll be frustration time for the Blues.

Offensively, the Blues have impressed, especially down the stretch, but the Canucks have some shooters of their own.

The Sedins each recorded 82 points (Henrik’s best output, Daniel’s second best) while finding a new, gritty “triplet” in linemate Alex Burrows (28 goals), who turned his career around by scoring 15 goals in 21 games on their left flank. Daniel has missed only one game in the last four years, Henrik, none. Ryan Kesler potted a career-best 26 goals. The 24 year-old was named team MVP. Steve Bernier contributes from a checking role (15 goals) and Pavol Demitra is due to improve on his 20 goals scored this regular season. Kyle Wellwood scored 18.

St. Louis amazed the hockey world, climbing from 15th in the West to 6th from early February to season’s end. Once again, Brad Boyes scored big (33) and David Backes, nicely seasoned in the AHL, managed 31 goals and a tidy 208 shots and 204 hits. At 6’3”, he could be the difference maker, the Canuck-killer, if St. Louis is for real. B.J. Crombeen and Brad Winchester will be looked to for gritty goals, while T.J. Oshie, the sweet rookie, will be put to the mental test by Vancouver’s mobile defense.

Chris Mason was anointed starter for good when Manny Legace was sent to the minors on February 7th. He went 24-8-6 over his final 38 decisions and went 2.08GAA and .924SV%. Roberto Luongo of Vancouver managed 33 wins in 54 games during a season in which he missed eight weeks due to a groin strain.

Look for Vancouver’s blueline to provide Roberto Luongo with enough breathing room to establish himself early. Edler and Bieksa will also provide some offense from the backline.

POTENTIAL SERIES-TURNER: Mats Sundin. Veteran smarts, and two goals vs. St. Louis in four games this season. Veteran desperation, wisely positioned on the second line by coach Alain Vigneault.

Pick: These teams split the season series and are relative equals on special teams. Vancouver in 7 grueling games.

LEON RAFNER

St. Louis is Cinderella at the playoff ball. Most improved, most unlikely to succeed, call it what you will, but former Kings Coach Andy Murray deserves the praise for converting the Blues into Sunshine Supermen. With the return of rocket winger Andy MacDonald, and encouraging play from Keith ‘Walt” Tkachuk, these young Blues are the longshot favorite. Alex Steen and B.J. Crombeen have put the puck in the pouch all season, as have Brad Boyes and David Backes. Vancouver has gone with the Sedin Twins, and if that wasn’t enough, added superstar Mats Sundin. Although ‘I hate that Mats Sundin’ hasn’t been exactly a scoring juggernaut, Pavol Demitra, Alex Burrows and Ryan Kesler are formidable forwards. Blues miracle goaltender Chris Mason will face top money goalie Roberto Luongo. Unless Luongo’s groin injury returns, the Blues will find little open space in the Canucks’ net. These are two turn around teams that are closely matched. Expect a long, exciting series with some wildly open physical play. Canucks in 7.

DENNIS BERNSTEIN

Sub-prediction: No Canadian teams will make the second round of the post season. Roberto Luongo’s back should give out any minute because it’s tough to carry a whole roster on your shoulders. The Sedin twins are point a game players but you’ll get a true reading of what the league in general thinks about them when they enter free agency as an entry and don’t get many offers. Mats Sundin should have stayed in Sweden, eh and shame on Pavol Demitra for only scoring 20 goals. Despite excellent seasons from Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows, they’re playing the hottest team in the West; a St. Louis team playing with house money and zero pressure on them. Despite major injuries to key performers and at times sitting 15th in the conference during the second half of the season, the Notes closed with a huge rush to grab the sixth spot. The Blues had everything come together perfectly in order to pass nine closely bunched teams. Keith Tkachuk actually showed veteran leadership down the stretch, they got a major boost when the fleet Andy MacDonald returned to the lineup late in the season and they have a hot Mason in the net, too, this one named Chris. They’ll be major partying under the Gateway Arch after the Blues eliminate Vancouver after Game 6.

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