Roberto Luongo is the reason that the Vancouver Canucks are in the playoffs, seeded third. Someone once said that you could rename the sport of hockey, "goalie," and wouldn't be far from the truth.  The Canucks are proof.  Funny how much better things look in Vancouver now that a legitimate number one is in the house.  He might walk away with either the Vezina or Hart trophies, maybe both.  For a long time, Sami Salo played in obscurity in Vancouver.  He's got a +21 rating this season, a heck of a shot from the point, and he's less obscure than ever.  Also on defense, the Canucks have watched super-tough collegian Kevin Bieksa (12 goals) emerge to give the club another fine shot from the point, and some serious mustard in the fighting department.  Brent Sopel returned to the club this season. He should have never left.  Willie Mitchell, Lukas Krajicek add toughness on the blueline.  A very good core of defensemen.  Coach Alain Vigneault may also find himself hoisting the Jack Adams after a great first year.  Smart, he's building the club with GM David Nonis from the goal line out.  With the absence of Todd Bertuzzi, the spotlight is diminished on Markus Naslund (24 goals), but the forward is a far more complete player at both ends of the ice than before.  The Sedins finally came through with star-calibre performances: Henrik's 71 assists, Daniel's 36 goals.  What in the world was Anson Carter thinking in leaving this club?  Brendan Morrison added 20, Taylor Pyatt 23 goals.

Dallas is a better club with captain Brendan Morrow in the lineup.  Scores goals from in close, a valuable playoff commodity.  Wrist tendon surgery was scary (far worse than breaking a limb), and we're glad to see that he's got use of his hand (no exaggeration).  Additionally, Mike Ribiero was booed out of Montreal for erratic playc.  Nothing of the sort in Dallas.  He's turned it around completely, and is playing his best hockey, leading the scoring-challenged Stars in points (18-41-59).  Mike Modano, though injured for 23 games this season, managed 22 goals to bring his NHL career total to 507 (most among American-born players, ever).  Ladislav Nagy (14 points in 16 games) brought some help late in the year, but must go all out, 60 minutes per game if he's going to earn his keep.  Major addition to the defense came in the form of Mattais Norstrom, the former Kings' captain, very capable of playing the physical, simple game and getting the puck out of Dallas' zone.  Sergei Zubov's lateral movement is tremendous, and the cagey vet can still fire the puck at the opposition's net (he led the Stars in scoring for much of the season).  After a tank-job last season, goalie Marty Turco (38 wins) is on the hot seat.  But! This time, Coach Dave Tippett has rookie phenom Mike Smith for relief.  His trigger finger will itch if Turco falters: Smith managed 3 shutouts for 12 wins in 24 games played.  Goals against for both is identical at 2.23.

Special Teams -

PP VAN: 20TH
PP DAL: 7TH

PK VAN: 1ST
PK DAL: 11TH

RECORD:
VAN: 49-26-7, 105 pts
DAL: 50-25-7, 107 pts

HOCKEYTALK PICK: A hunch. Canucks in 7 tough games.  Pyatt and Smolinski, underrated and unsung, do some surprise damage. 

Results:
Game 1: VAN 5 DAL 4 (4OT)
Game 2: DAL 2 VAN 0
Game 3: VAN 2 DAL 1 (1OT)
Game 4: VAN 2 DAL 1
Game 5: DAL 1 VAN 0 (1OT)
Game 6: DAL 2 VAN 0
Game 7: VAN 4 DAL 1

VANCOUVER WINS 4-3

Game Recaps

EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEWS:

Buffalo vs. NY Islanders
New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay
Atlanta vs. NY Rangers
Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh

WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEWS:

Detroit vs. Calgary
Anaheim vs. Minnesota
Vancouver vs. Dallas
Nashville vs. San Jose

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Players of Note:

Vancouver:  Kevin Bieksa.  While everyone else in the hockey community is talking about Roberto Luongo, I like the looks of sophomore Kevin Bieksa.  Bieksa showed that he is a leader on the blueline and made Vancouver-ites quickly forget about losing Ed Jovanovski last summer. Bieksa led the defense in scoring, power play points and penalty minutes and should prove to be very valuable in front of Luongo.

Dallas:  Ladislav Nagy.  After being paroled from Phoenix, Nagy is just itching to show what he can do in the postseason.  He played well in Phoenix with a less than stellar supporting cast but with some legitimate line mates in big D he could really be the guy to emerge as a leader in the Lone Star State.

Preview by Josh Brewster /
Notable Players by Jason Reed

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