It's almost July and they finally gave the Cup away. Sheeeeesh.
Took them long enough. Anyhow... this is probably the best outcome for us. Why? How? Where?
Because... if the tOil had won, they would have returned the Cup to Canada. 1st time since 1993. And that wouldn't be good. For us. And our 3rd time lucky narrative. Nucks almost won in 1994 and in the current century, 2011. So... we're due for winning the Cup 'for Canada' on the 3rd attempt. Sure, it's a weak narrative... but have you heard the HNIC narratives the past week? Weak is far too soft, weak, too piddly a description.
This is among the latest finishes of the SCF in history. This week also features the glittering glitter glad-handed NHL awards show - live from Lost Wages, kids! The day after is back to business - the draft biz - the young promising grist for the league mill. Don't bother getting up too early to watch for the Nucks pick. Rest up a day and then with keen anticipation, JR/PA proudly select the future all-star in round 5 in the thirty-two-hundredth position.
I've argued with the clouds for years the NHL hockey season is too long. It's a long, long grind - especially for star players who injure their knee in January and hobble into the playoffs and perform like the world's most overpaid 4th liner. But I digress...
Then the playoffs start. Rounds 1 and 2 can be entertaining. Mainly Round 1. Better if they skip the boring parts, Rounds 3 and 4. The Cup winning team will be decided by which billionaire owner can hire the most over-the-hill music stars for a single game crowd warmup show.
Also... season needs to start later, November, say... and the final reg game in mid-March. Then the playoffs can be wrapped up before the end of April. Just like our tax returns. Calendric synchronization. And more time to clean up the house, yard, most of the universe my your wife has been nagging you to clean since February.
Anyhow... and most importantly, we can focus our attention on the season ahead, not the losers who won because Gary was running out of summer weasel suits.
What are we looking forward to?
UPDATE: Miki has been moved! To the little Fawkers! PA's Cap Space clearing house is open! Also Fawks get 2025 2nd and right to talk to Laff.
UPDATE: Josh gets Miki's Money! Most of it. $3.25M AAV for 4 years. Best 3rd line in hockey, renewed.
UPDATE: Chaos Giraffe returns! For 3 years at $3M AAV!
Resigning Ronnie to an 80 year $58M overpay. Check. Yay!
Resigning Zav? LOL! Or maybe... now.
Resigning Myers? YES!
Resigning Blueger? Possibly. Definitely. 2 years at $1.8 AAV. That's good.
Reeling in the big Cane fish, Guentzel? Yes! Did you know that Toffoli looks identical to Jake and has the same awesome stats? Me neither. But, more likely we see Toffee back than the $9.8M winger.
The Cup run is over. Yay! We're a couple days away from the draft floor. To be fair, it's not that drafty in Vegas this time of year.
Expect a crazy next few days. Not just because Westy is leaving for the beach to soak up more UV, but because July 1st is arriving faster than Zav's agent on speed dial.
Enjoy the OverPay Days preceding the Full OverPay season!
Since the Canucks are out...do you really care about these teams?
Game 1: Panthers at Rangers -- May 22, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 2: Panthers at Rangers -- May 24, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 3: Rangers at Panthers -- May 26, 3 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 4: Rangers at Panthers -- May 28, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
+ Game 5: Panthers at Rangers -- May 30, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
+ Game 6: Rangers at Panthers -- June 1, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
+ Game 7: Panthers at Rangers -- June 3, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Westy - Do I like any of these teams? The Rangers are using the ghost of 1994 to try and motivate their fans and having Messier on TNT makes it worse. The Flames must look at this team and wonder what if? Having a Tkachuk on their team makes it hard to cheer for Florida. I don't like any of these teams. The Panthers are 2-0-1 against the Rangers this year and they have had an easier time this playoffs. They should be rested and ready to go. Is this the year Lu gets a ring? Meh. Panthers in 7
jimmi - Now we enter the fugly rounds of the playoffs. 1st and 2nd rounds are the fun ones. For fans. Predicting an eastern conference final for me is about as appealing as predicting the enjoyment of a root canal. To be clear, I won't be cheering for either of these teams. Nucks are the only team I cheer for. My cheering stopped last night. The Rags seem to have the edge. The Panters seem to be edgier.
The most important question is what benefits Gary's media stream more, Rags vs Dallas or Florida vs Dallas? Just kidding. Most important part of this series is how well OEL performs. Not just in this series, but all the seasons until 2030 when he stops getting paid by the Nucks. Buyout math says Cats in 7.
Kent - Obviously this is the Eastern battle the league prefers from a tv standpoint. Getting the Rangers in is always good, and Uncle Gary's precious Southern market must be represented always. And while it's truly disappointing that we won't get to see that 30 year revenge series, this one is still gonna be entertaining as hell.
The Rangers are not boring like a lot of the Eastern Conference squads, and with the number of idiots on these two teams, chaos is guaranteed. It's just a matter of who does something stupid first. Speed, physicality, goal scoring, and goaltending. In the end, I feel like the Panthers are still missing something, and the hockey gods cannot seriously have OEL win a Cup after what we went through. That's messed up, even for them. Rangers in 7.
Game 1: Oilers at Stars -- May 23, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 2: Oilers at Stars -- May 25, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 3: Stars at Oilers -- May 27, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 4: Stars at Oilers -- May 29, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
+ Game 5: Oilers at Stars -- May 31, TBD (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, TVAS)
+ Game 6: Stars at Oilers -- June 2, TBD (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, TVAS)
+ Game 7: Oilers at Stars -- June 4, TBD (TNT, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Westy - I hate having to write this less than 12 hours after a Canucks loss. But I feel better when I write fuck Edmonton. The Oilers had trouble beating a team that was using their 3rd string goalie and had their best player out for the last game. Dallas matched Colorado's speed and surely can keep up with Edmonton's speed. The Stars can play physical and have a better defensive core than the Canucks. Did I mention fuck Edmonton? The media always asks if Canadians would back the lone team remaining? What a stupid question. I cheer for Dallas for two reasons: 1. Fuck Edmonton and 2. the Stars and owner Tom Gaglardi winning a cup would really piss Franny. Stars in 6.
jimmi - Agree with Westy, this is too soon for a Round 3 prediction fest and yet here we are making unsolicited and hopefully, unwanted predictions. There's nothing of interest here for Nucks fans. Except the possibility of the Stars making the McOil stars cry again at the Cupping futility of icing a 1.25 line playoff team.
Fuck Edmonton, their McWhinies won't have Cole in their (Stars) lineup to boost secondary scoring either. Also like that Franny's poor little billionaire feelings would be hurt with a Dallas win. With those purely stat-driven insights in place, Stars in 5.
Kent - The Edmonton Oilers are frauds, and the series against Vancouver proved it. When you need seven games and one third of your depth scoring going in off a Canucks defenceman who were forced to play their inexperienced third string goalie, that's not a convincing victory. Anyone who tells you different is probably named Mark Spector.
Any team that's been blessed with that many opportunities and still can't get their shit together deserves misery. And believe me, that's what they're gonna get at the hands of the Dallas Stars. This is absolutely gonna be fun to watch, as the pom-pom shakers in the MSM get a rude awakening as they discover that the Oilers are who WE thought they are.
The Stars are faster, stronger, have better goaltending, better defence, better depth and are smarter than the Oilers, and this series will lay it all out. It's almost enough to make me watch it, but being a veteran of the Smythe Division wars, I am so damn tired of the Edmonton Oilers. Fuck 'em. Stars in 4.
Nucks force a late game comeback. Almost worked.
That's all, folks. 2023-2024 Season Ends Pretty Well. Very much improved over the last few bleak years.
The Nucks had the chance to win the series - send the Oil home with oily tears.
Then the game started.
Not a good Nucking start.
The best chance early was for Miki...
Miky still cursed
Westy
And the Nucks followed it up with... ummm...
Wonder if we'll break ten shots this game? holy shit...
Twitch
Even worse... the Nucks get a 4 minute powerplay to break open the game, get the 1st goal and even the 2nd one. Or not.
Wow way to waste 4 minutes boys...
Twitch
This stinker of a Nucking PP that didn't get a single shot on goal, did allow the Oil PK to get a shortie breakaway which Silovs stops. Thankfully. Boy, the Nucks PP brain trust have their work cutout for them in the off season.
0-0 tie is preserved, thanks to the zero goals Nucks PP and stunning work from Silovs. Oil outshoot the Nucks 13-2. Just a bit lopsided on the shot clock.
In the 2nd period, we expect hope the Nucks will get the 1st goal of the game... because... reasons.
Instead Oil get on the board first. Point shot from Ceci that Hoagie declined to block.
And that's game. Thanks to everyone for coming out.
Kent
1-0 Oil.
Because the Oil are buzzing and Silovs is getting screened, Hyman tips the puck past Artie. Dammit. 2-0 Oil and the gamethread isn't worried.
Oh fuck off. Where the fuck is the give-a-shit from the canucks? Holy shit what a sad effort for a game 7.
Twitch
While the Nucks killed the 1st Oil powerplay... the 2nd one, not so much. Nuge scores after the work of DrySally. 3-0 Oil late 2nd.
If it's any consolation, this won't be the team we see next year
Westy
The good news is the Nucks put 10 shots on net. The bad news is they're down 3 goals.
The worse news, we are wondering if the Nucks will go out with a donut whimper or...
A 3rd period comeback!
Takes half the 3rd for the successful Nucking comeback. That's because the Nucks were gifted a PP and sucked the energy out of the ROG, the game thread and the province.
decline the penalty
Westy
PP trying to bulldoze through the middle to gain entry...not effective
Soon enough the Nucks regained composure after the futile power play.
Gnarland, as ever, playing hard on the puck, is gifted with a sloppy Oil D turnover. Gnarly jumps on the loose puck and blasts it past Skinnard's former SO.
Nice goal gnarly!
Atty
Thank you for a great season!
The comeback has started! Only a period late or so.
Then PDG gets a great chance breaking in on goal. And roofs it. Into the back boards. Baby bump is over.
PDG going full Miki there.
Twitch
But then with 5 minutes left, Lindy wins the O-zone faceoff. Huggie, looking like AllStar Huggie, goes down the boards, turns and breaks a defender's ankles and passes to Ronnie. Who finally unloads his 'legendary' slapshot on goal. And scores past a screened goalie. Woooo!
It's 3-2 Oil and the comeback is almost complete. Almost.
The Nucks pull Silovs and get on their 6-on-5 PP on. Which isn't any better than their 5-on-4 version. And like their normal PP, can't put a shot on net.
50 minutes of not playing will lead to a loss.
Westy
It's a 3-2 Oil win in the ROG.
What woulda coulda been is over for this season. No regrets. What a great season and playoff run.
Thanks for coming everyone.
Westy
It was a great season for a team that wasn't expected to get to the playoffs.
The comeback was good to see.
Great finish, at least the boys showed again the heart they had this year.
Atty
Best season I can remember as a canucks fan, not so much cuz of the accomplishments, but because of the unexpectedness of it. Hope Brock is ok by October...
Atty
GAME NOTES?
It's a bit fresh and the sting is still stinging. However...
We don't know until later in the week if Pete and Huggie were playing hurt. As Saint Soucy says... everyone is playing hurt.
Huggie wasn't playing at the level he can in this series. Preds series saw him crunched, a lot.
Pete had a tough playoffs. 1 goal and 5 apples. Sour apples in our view. Finished with a plus/minus of 0. Meanwhile, the far less well paid Drysaddler had 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points. So far.
On the bright side, in this last game of the series, Nucks held McD pointless in the game. Good work Millsie and the Big D.
The comeback sorely missed Brock. Still remember his comeback goals in the Preds series. We all hope he returns next season, healthy and hungry.
To be fair... this was the first playoffs for half the roster. Almost seemed that many of them had their fill of their first Cup of 2nd season hockey. Or were just too nervous drink any deeper.
Silovs is now a bonafide NHL playoff goalie. A very good one. The question isn't whether Artie is ready to be the backup, but is he ready to be the starter? Tough questions over the summer for JR/PA to answer.
No worries. NM will be here to answer them. And answer questions you may have hoped no one would ask.
HNIC ROG REEL
Cutburt and Homer Simpson weren't our first choice for play-by-play.
Wow i'm sick of craig simpsons voice. Stop mansplaining everything ffs.
Twitch
GAME STATS
SHOTS - not enough Nucking shots. Again.
| OIL | Period | CANUCKS |
| 13 | 1st | 2 |
| 14 | 2nd | 10 |
| 2 | 3rd | 5 |
| 29 | TOTAL | 17 |
PLAYER POINTS - Gnarly points.
| G | A | S | +/- | H | TOI | |
| GNARLAND | 1 | 3 | +1 | 0 | 19:12 | |
| LINDHOLM | 1 | 2 | +1 | 5 | 20:13 | |
| HRONEK | 1 | 2 | +1 | 3 | 22:56 | |
| HUGHES | 1 | 1 | +1 | 0 | 28:33 | |
| Saves | Shots | SV% | ||||
| SILOVS | 26 | 29 | .897 |
TACO AND TEAM LAST GAME TALK
Taco isn't going to berate them for not getting urgent early. Too late for that. And too early for nhl to publish his presser.
Next man up.
Gnarland is looking down and heartbroken. He deserves to be proud of his effort.
">Pete is stoic and ready to get training.
">Millsie is wearing his emotions on a ball cap.
">Capt'n Huggie not feeling reflective just now.
">What an amazing season! Not just at NM. But those never-quite Nucks impressed us right out of the gate. So many great milestones. 50 game wins. Pacific Division winners.
We'll probably wax poetic later this week. And post some compelling trade rumoury gossip until the draft. For now, we'll just lick our small little fan wounds and be happy not to see our tired-out team get swept by the Stars, unlike Oil fans.
Thanks to you who made the NM Comeback Season so much fun!
Tonight there is no middle ground: It will either go down as one of the greatest victories in Canucks history, or another chapter in the tale of the most cursed franchise in hockey.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS EDMONTON OILERS (SERIES TIED 3-3)
6:00PM PST
ROGERS ARENA, VANCOUVER, BC
RADIO: SN650 TV: ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS
As if things weren't emotional enough heading into the deciding game of this series, the hockey gods decided once again to test the Canucks. Already without their All Star goaltender since Game Two of the first round, and with a number of their best players obviously playing hurt, the Canucks will now have to find a way to victory without their top scorer in the post-season this year.
At the same time, the health of Brock Boeser, and the possible implications of this diagnosis on his career outweigh the importance of the game. The longest serving Canuck has been through a lot in his nine years in Vancouver. Injuries, struggles with years of a sub-par roster, leading to some to say he'd been a bust after an amazing rookie season. The emotional toll of his father's passing to cancer, and the Canucks nearly trading him away all culminated in this year, where he came out and had his best season ever. That it ends like this, and could potentially be the end of his career is just so damn cruel.
We've been saying all along that this is all just gravy on a season none of us dared to dream could happen. That doesn't change. What has changed, is the desire to see the Canucks come out of this night victorious. Of course it's not going to be easy, but with a packed house at Rogers Arena, and the way the Canucks have responded to bad performances like the one in Game Six, which was their worst of the playoffs by a mile, maybe this Cinderella story isn't done just yet.
In order to pull this off, there's going to have to be some changes. One of them is getting shots on goal, as many as they can. It's infuriating that they managed a paltry 15 shots on Stuart Skinner Saturday night. Allowing him to regain some confidence is a serious failure on the Canucks part, and bringing him back down to earth and back to his sub .800 save percentage is one of the biggest keys to a Canucks victory.
Another thing the Canucks must do is score on the bloody power play. Keep it simple, and just pound the damn puck on Skinner every chance they get. Get in his sight lines and create havoc in front of the net. They've wasted so many opportunities to get the upper hand on the Oilers with the failures on the power play. Tonight, they can change that.
Despite what seems a mountain of adversity, the bulk of the pressure is still on the Oilers. One cannot imagine that the brain trust of this team can survive another post-season failure, especially in a season where they were picked by many to win it all for the first time since their last Cup in 1990. With rumours swirling about Ken Holland potentially bailing for the open GM position in Columbus, a loss for the Oilers tonight could bring about a major shakeup.
It's going to take more than the Canucks' best players being their best players tonight. To a man, the Canucks have to step up and do this. Home teams tend to win more often in Game Seven, and the team that scores first wins around 75% of the time. Get that first goal early, break Skinner's confidence and do not let up til the siren goes.
LINEUPS
Canucks projected lineup
Pius Suter -- J.T. Miller -- Ilya Mikheyev
Dakota Joshua -- Elias Lindholm -- Conor Garland
Nils Hoglander -- Elias Pettersson -- Sam Lafferty
Phil Di Giuseppe -- Teddy Blueger -- Nils Aman
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Nikita Zadorov -- Ian Cole
Arturs Silovs
Casey DeSmith
Scratched: Mark Friedman, Noah Juulsen, Linus Karlsson, Christian Wolanin, Vasily Podkolzin
Injured: Thatcher Demko (undisclosed), Brock Boeser (undisclosed)
Oilers projected lineup
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Connor McDavid -- Zach Hyman
Dylan Holloway -- Leon Draisaitl -- Evander Kane
Warren Foegele -- Ryan McLeod -- Derek Ryan
Mattias Janmark -- Sam Carrick -- Connor Brown
Mattias Ekholm -- Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse -- Vincent Desharnais
Brett Kulak -- Cody Ceci
Stuart Skinner
Calvin Pickard
Scratched: Corey Perry, Sam Gagner, Troy Stecher
Injured: Adam Henrique (lower body)
There was some discussion that we might see Miller and Pettersson paired up in Boeser's absence and from these lineups it doesn't look as though it'll start off that way, but we'll see what happens. Tocchet has done a fantastic job of using his changes at home, and we could see a bit of a blender tonight. Mikheyev and Lafferty are back in, and that's an experience thing more than anything else I'm sure. Having had some time to rest and heal (especially in Mikheyev's case) could help. No other changes, and no changes for the Oilers.
GAME DAY CHATTER
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Amen. It's been a hell of a year, and it may come to an end tonight, but we know these guys won't go down without a fight. Go Canucks Go!
Nucks were prepping today for the big game. The media were prepping the big stupid questions.
In case you didn't amble by nhl.com for the post-practice pressers, here they are. Uncertain what is tougher, the on-ice pressure of a game 7 or the pressure of a media scrum circling for blood.
Taco says it's all about confidence. "Desperation isn't running around panicking." - Coach Taco
Words we in the game thread might want to remember. When we're not running around desperately trying to couch coach.
JT didn't play well last game, but says the team is very good at bouncing back. So is Millsie. He better be better.
Cole says they need to flush everything that has happened up to this point and win one hockey game. Everything includes own goals, right?
Saint Soucy says it's gonna be awesome! Full sixty minutes! We're gonna be ready to go!
Artie's not worried. He's just going to play his game. It's a game of wills. With the ROG crowd pushing them, Nucks will be energized.
Because the Nucks have thrived on adversity all season and all playoffs, only seems fitting we find out that Brock will not be available to play Game 7 due to a blood clotting (non-life threatening) issue. Next man up! Could it be Taco?
The Canucks have given us the best season in a decade. The most fun playoff run in over a decade. Win or lose this vital, team-defining Game 7, all the pressure is still on the Oil.
Whatever team wins gets to play the Stars who look ready, willing and able to win the conference final. But we're not there yet.
Going to be a great ROG game! Enjoy the moment!
YAY! WE GET A ROG GAME 7, just like we wanted expected.
Not the game we hoped for. But Taco warned them: "It's going to get harder... Embrace it."
In the 1st period, Nucks played pretty good. Got the 1st couple power plays of the game. They weren't pretty good, or even good.
zero shots on the pp... the more things change...
Twitch
So...
Oil score 1st when Holloway hollows-out five Nucks on his end to end rush. Ugh.
No worries. Yet. As the new Pete/Lindy/Hoagie line goes to work on the give 'n go. Hoagie to Pete. Pete passes out to Hoagie for the tieing goal!
Unfortunately the only Nucking goal. This was the high point of the game. 1-1 after 1 and teams tied 4-4 on shots.
In the 2nd, oh my, in the 2nd, the Oil come out more desperate and skate faster and the Nucks are about to give up the Taco Tough team defense and spend most of the period freelancing mistakes, like it was a free trip to game 7. Or something.
First, Nucks let a Hyman Maneuver get time and space in the slot. Myers pretends to block the shot. The shot that gets by Silovs. That's not so bad. Except being the game winner. The other 3 Oils goals were just for show.
And worse, 3 minutes later a Boooo-char blast from the point gets past Silovs. One he shoulda/woulda/coulda had. 3-1 Oil and about to get scary.
Zav takes a dumb and of course, embellished penalty. Doesn't matter. Nucks kill it.
Then Gnarly takes a Gnarly penalty. Fine. BS call, but fine. However, a minute into the kill Josh takes a penalty - embellished, of course. OMG! Oil 5-on-3!
The Nucks PK killed off the McOil 5-on-3! Not making it up. And kill off Josh's penalty too!
Then the Nucks get on their not powerful power play and then get their own 5-on-3 for almost a minute. And don't score. If they had, might have been a different game. But, it wasn't.
5 on 3 Heres a novel idea...Shoot the fuckin puck Huggie
'82wino
3-1 Oil after 2. Nucks get outshot 14-5 and worse, outscored 2-0.
In the 3rd, Nucks start with 48 wasted seconds and their period goes to crap from there.
A little Nucking pushback isn't rewarded.
Gnarly and Josh collision behind the oil net while the puck goes up the ice sums up this game.
jimmi
Game thread is philosophical and even-keeled.
Well, that's that. Don't show up, get shown up. This team is NOT ready to get to the cup if they play this half assed this early.
Twitch
I mean, we all wanted this series to go 7 in our heart of hearts, just for the entertainment value... woulda been nice if the didn't happen with a half assed effort by the canucks though.
Oil get 2 more goals to make the Nucks take a 5-1 loss and happy/sad/something to get home for Game 7 of the SCP.
There is no substitute for the playoff experience. Edmonton is in the playoffs every single year. We are the upstart. Not going to happen in one fell swoop.
Atty
Besides, if someone gave me a choice whether I prefer to see the team in game seven against the Oilers, I would have taken it any day. So, let's throw the dice on Monday.
As we all wax philosophical or just wax,
There is no substitute for the playoff experience. Edmonton is in the playoffs every single year. We are the upstart. Not going to happen in one fell swoop.
Atty
Besides, if someone gave me a choice whether I prefer to see the team in game seven against the Oilers, I would have taken it any day. So, let's throw the dice on Monday.
Agree. Just happy to have the round 2 game 7 chance. All the pressure is still on mcoilers.
jimmi
Nucks just have play game 7 like they played game 5.or play better... that'd be ok too.
Right, there is no reason to be as nervous as today. Thee is huge pressure on the Oilers to win.
Atty
Our fans love this team already, they will cheer for them no matter what. Might as well go in for broke.
OBSERVATIONS
Nucks didn't play their A game. Or even their B+ road game.
Taco had a 20second interview mid-game, and he said that "we are hangin' in there, other than when when we are just throwing the puck from our zone to the middle".
Atty
That's when I thought oh-oh, bad news.
When "we are hangin'", in the biggest game of the year, that can't be good.
The whole thing looked like an AHL team playing an NHL team..
Garbage, need to forget it.
The good news, Nucks PK was perfect. Went 3-for-3. The bad news, Oil PK was also perfect, went 4-for-4. The Nucks 5-on-5 play was not good. The Oil 5-on-5 was. Dammit.
Nucks best players weren't their best. Miller who was a beast in Game 5, was a flop in Game 6. He and his line mates were -3. Brock on the GWG just sorta took a swing at the puck instead of checking the Oil player out of the slot.
On the 1st Oil tally, Pete was weak in neutral ice, just waved at the puck as it went by. Huggie made a terrible play at the blueline, because why not?
Even Saint Soucy, the rugged D from on-high, was weak on Nuge allowing him to get by and get a goal from the McD pass. And on the 5th goal against after the faceoff, no Nuck skated to block or interrupt the shot. To be fair, at that point what would be the point?
Nucks can't bring their A game every game. And probably best to let the Oil get the big win at home, build their false hope and the Nucks leave town safely.
While Artie might have let in a couple softies, his teammates weren't playing well or structured in front of him. So who is in net for game 7? Artie is. Taco isn't a tOiler coach. He's keeping his young stopper in net.
Orange REELING
HNIC is gushing. On live TV. Look away.
GAME STATS
SHOTS - Not enough Nucking shots!
| CANUCKS | Period | OIL |
| 4 | 1st | 4 |
| 5 | 2nd | 14 |
| 6 | 3rd | 9 |
| 15 | TOTAL | 27 |
TACO AND TEAM TALK
"We're a good bounce back team. Our job right now is to flush this game... some guys know they gotta play better." - Coach Taco
Pete gives us a minute of his thoughts - like he gave us a great minute in the 1st.
Capt'n Huggie talks about playing seven amazing games. Or just one more.
Brock shares his Hyman maneuver flyby thoughts.
That's that! We're getting a Game 7 in the ROG! Nucks have won games, 1, 3, 5 and the math pattern must hold for a game 7 win. Even if it seems odd.
However, don't care if they don't win game 7. Ok, fine, I care very much. But I care that they play their best game of the series. Leave nothing on the ice. Seize the moment. As Taco says: "Be a hero!" No fearo. Go Canucks Go!
The Canucks have a chance to move to the Conference Finals for just the fourth time in franchise history tonight. They'll look to build off their best game of the post-season and finish off the Oilers in Edmonton.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS EDMONTON OILERS (CANUCKS LEAD SERIES 3-2)
5:00PM PST
ROGERS PLACE, EDMONTON, AB
RADIO: SN650 TV: ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS
After the first ten minutes of Game Five, it was starting to feel like the Canucks were going to have a hard time trying to take advantage of home ice when an Evander Kane goal put them down 1-0 in the first five minutes. They turned up the intensity though, and began to do what they've done all season: wearing down teams with relentless forechecking, timely hits and constant pressure. They were rewarded late in the period when Carson Soucy sniped a point shot past Calvin Pickard to tie the game. The Oilers would take advantage of a mistake by Soucy, leading to a 2 on 1, with Mattias Janmark scoring just 0:23 later.
Fortunately, another trait the Canucks have shown this season, was zero panic when falling behind. We've seen it throughout these playoffs, and in the second period, great work behind the net by Nils Aman saw him strip the puck off Evan "He's so much better than Quinn Hughes" Bouchard, feeding new Daddy Phil Di Giuseppe out front, who made with the Bertuzzian spin-o-rama for the tying goal.
The Canucks would continue to press, and it's only due to a strong performance from Pickard that the game would stay tied. The Oilers were being outhit, outworked, and outclassed, but they couldn't get the go-ahead goal. We prepared ourselves for what would be a nerve-wracking overtime. Fortunately, someone forgot to tell Elias Pettersson, Elias Lindholm and J.T. Miller.
With less than a minute remaining, Lindholm fired a shot towards the net, which was re-directed by Pettersson with a soccer style backheel. The puck went by Pickard, off the post and right to a waiting Miller, who buried it for the GWG. It will live on as one of best playoff goals in Canucks history, as the Canucks once again found a way to win late.
Apart from the slow start, this was the most complete game we've seen out of the Canucks in this year's playoffs. The lineup additions were impactful, as were the line changes. The Pettersson, Lindholm and Nils Hoglander line were noticeable all night, and Hoglander nearly gave the Canucks the lead in the third, but Pickard was able to get enough of Hogs' shot to steer it into the post.
Another huge factor was the penalty kill, which picked up where it left off in the third period of Game Four and kept the fearsome Oilers PP off the scoresheet, going 5/5 on kills and even getting a couple short handed chances in the process. They outhit the Oilers 41-23, and dominated the faceoff dot, winning just over 57% of the draws.
After Game Four, Head Coach Rick Tocchet complained about too many passengers, and said it would be addressed. WIth Sam Lafferty, Ilya Mikheyev and Linus Karlsson sitting, Hoglander, Di Giuseppe and Vasily Podkolzin came in and were noticeable, and it's pretty unlikely we'll see them back in the press box for Game Six.
As he has been throughout the playoffs, veteran Dman Ian Cole was just getting buried out there. Too slow, too casual, and making too many bad decisions that have led to pucks getting behind Arturs Silovs. Cole's been a valuable member of the Canucks blue line this season, and as an experienced vet and Stanley Cup winner, his voice is surely valuable. But on the ice, between bad plays and bad luck, Cole is a massive liability, and Tocchet would do well to take him out of the lineup and bring Noah Juulsen back in. For the number of minutes Juulsen would need to replace with Cole out, this isn't a huge issue.
And what about Silovs? He continues to be one of the best stories of the NHL Playoffs, battling hard to keep the Canucks in every single game, as well as keep the entire nation of Latvia up til the wee hours of the morning as they watch their hero. Thatcher Demko's inching closer and closer to his return, but how can you not give Silovs the crease tonight and give him the chance to close out against the Oilers, and give Demko a couple more days to get ready before a Western Conference Finals date with the Dallas Stars?
The biggest factor? The way the Canucks have continued to limit Connor McDavid's impact on this series. He's had just one assist in the last three games, and was on the ice for two of the three Canucks goals in Game Five. Is he hurt? Maybe. But the job that J.T. Miller and the rest of the team have done in limiting time and space is paying off. Look for them to continue this tonight.
LINEUPS
Canucks projected lineup
Pius Suter -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Nils Hoglander -- Elias Lindholm -- Elias Pettersson
Dakota Joshua -- Teddy Blueger -- Conor Garland
Phil Di Giuseppe -- Nils Aman -- Vasily Podkolzin
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Nikita Zadorov -- Ian Cole
Arturs Silovs
Casey DeSmith
Scratched: Mark Friedman, Noah Juulsen, Linus Karlsson, Sam Lafferty, Ilya Mikheyev, Christian Wolanin
Injured: Thatcher Demko (undisclosed)
Oilers projected lineup
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Connor McDavid -- Zach Hyman
Dylan Holloway -- Leon Draisaitl -- Evander Kane
Warren Foegele -- Ryan McLeod -- Corey Perry
Mattias Janmark -- Derek Ryan -- Connor Brown
Mattias Ekholm -- Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse -- Vincent Desharnais
Brett Kulak -- Cody Ceci
Stuart Skinner
Calvin Pickard
Scratched: Sam Carrick, Sam Gagner, Troy Stecher
Injured: Adam Henrique (lower body)
As mentioned, no changes for the Canucks. Apart from Skinner, there might be one change with the Oilers. There is a player that is reportedly sick, and may be replaced at game time. We'll see how that plays out, but Adam Henrique, the Oilers' big trade deadline acquisition is definitely out tonight.
As has been the case, but nevermore so tonight: the pressure is squarely on the Edmonton Oilers, a team that was picked by many at the start of the season to win the Stanley Cup. And tonight, they (along with a TON of journalists who picked the Oilers to win this series) will be added to the list of those who underestimated the 2023-24 Vancouver Canucks.
GAME DAY CHATTER
The Canucks have been making history all season long, so why stop now?
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Haven't dragged this one out for a long time, but it feels like it was written for this game, right? A Vancouver band, with a video that I believe was filmed at the Commodore, if I'm not mistaken. From the album S.Y.L., it's STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and their killer anthem 'Relentless'.
One step away from the third round. Win or lose, this has been a hell of a run, but here's to this story being far from over. Enjoy the game, everyone. Go Canucks Go!
Nucks win 3-2 with 32 seconds left in the 3rd for the 3-2 series lead. Not making it up.
Bounce Back Nucks bounce back with their best game of the playoffs.
Better game...better chances...great win
Westy
Didn't start that way.
In the 1st, Nucks are on the PK before the 1st minute is finished dismaying Nucks fans.
Love early penalties
Westy
Know what we love even more?
Yay killed an early penalty.
Twitch
With that major accomplishment under their skates, the Nucks celebrated with a small tirefire in their own end. Some say lit by Cole who was worn out during the puck panic attack. Couldn't win a puck battle and a moment later it's 1-0 Oil.
Playing beer league hockey in our own end. Not sure how that's a winning strategy
'82wino
You know what else isn't a winning strategy? Dumb penalties. And taking them.
hughes taking the dumbest penalty in hockey.
Twitch
Again, the Taco talked and tweaked Nucks PK killed off the 2 stupidest minutes in hockey.
Since that under-manned gambit seems to be working, Cole decides to get off the ice. And into the box. Where he can't get beat on a puck battle/deflection or something.
Hey look...more stupid penalties
Westy
The Nucks PK goes back to work. And work perfectly. Nucks PK have now killed 3 consecutive McOil PPs. Incredible!
As the last few minutes of the period play on/out, the Nucks are doing the Nucks forechecking thing. And the puck pops out Saint Soucy he rifles a shot glove side past Pickie. 1-1 tie! ROG is going wild!
For about 20 seconds... as Freelancing Soucy appears to have another open look at the Oil net. However, he inexplicably falls down, 200 feet from his own net. Oil breakout on a 2-on-1 and it's 2-1 Oil. Ouch! Welcome back Sous.
Soucy giveth and taketh away
Westy
Hey I already said that.
Twitch
Soucy giveth...and soucy taketh away.
2-1 Oil after 1. That's just great.
In the 2nd, the Nucks are coming back. Hard and taking shots. Gnarly taking cheapshots. Gnarland gets slammed into the boards. Looks like his wrist is hurt.
Fucking fogle just ended garland's season.
Twitch
Gnarland is back on the ice later. Tough pest. We love him for his go-go-go engine.
The Nucks PP had some looks, but no goal.
It's Father's Day in the ROG. PDG is back after the birth of his son. Thanks to a ferocious forecheck from his line, Bouchie turns over the puck in front of his net - or as we call it on the end of the ice, a Cole-over. PDG gets the free puck, spins and scores!
WOOO DIGI!
Twitch
ROG is going nutz. And so are we. Or maybe we started that way.
Nucks get another PP and then they're off it, because Pete gets called for charging. He didn't charge, but prepped himself for a hit.
Petey gets nailed for a non-charge charge
Westy
Petey gets a penalty for dodging a hit? WTAF???
Twitch
The ROG responds by throwing garbage on ice for the garbage call.
But wait! There's more!
Hey...you like penalties....here's another
Westy
Josh to the box for interfering with McSpeedy.
Again the Nucks PK kill another Oil PP. The best PP in hockey went 0 for 5 in the game.
The Nucks played their best 2nd of the series. Outplayed the Oil and outshot them 17-4. In one period. Almost as many shots as the Nucks had in the entire last game.
In the 3rd, with the game tied 2-2 in a series tied 2-2, both teams were keen to break the tie, however, the Nucks were more keen. And more clean on their breakouts. Since the late 1st, Nucks had clogged the neutral zone. Didn't let McWheels wheelie get going.
The ROG is chanting: "GO PETEY!" He's going - his best game of the playoffs. Sets up new addition, Hoagie for a shot into the open(ish) net. Pings the post.
Oh Hoggy... open net...
Twitch
As with all great playoff dramas, it stretches out - tense minute after tense minute. Nucks have the edge in play... but...
encouraged by 34 shots...discouraged by lack of goals
Westy
Finally we're in the final minute and OT is looming large in our hockey minds.
Or is it?
Millsie who had kept McD off the chart, jumps onto the ice. Lindy has the puck on the far side. McD is expecting the pass to JT and ready to grab it and scamper up ice.
But Lindy doesn't risk a cross ice pass. Instead, puts a shot on net. And Pete deflects it with his skate. Not in the net, because that would result in endless CoTU reviews. Instead Pete's skate deflects the puck off the post. To a waiting JT who roofs it while McD is still waiting for the cross-ice pass.
JAY TEE MILLLLLLER!!!!!
Twitch
The GWG scored with 32 seconds left in the game. This time, the Nucks keep the lead. Win the game and lead the series 3-to-2. WOOOOOOOOOO!
First game of the playoffs we looked like the regular season canucks... Woooo!
Twitch
OBSERVATIONS
No own goals. Altho... Cole did have an attempt.
So far in this series, Nucks are outhitting Oil 214 to 143. Wearing down McManyMinutes maybe.
JT's GWG was the 2nd latest game winner in Nucks playoff history.
The Nucks shutdown McDiver again. Especially JT and Soucy. McD had 0 points and a -2, but did admit the Nucks were the better team. That was nice. Also nice that DriedUpSaddle didn't get a PP goal and finished with a -2 as well.
ROG WINNING REEL
It's HNIC play-by-play and worse, Juice isn't available on the panel. Doesn't matter. Beating the Oil on HNIC while HNIC has to watch is just fine.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| tOIL | Period | CANUCKS |
| 11 | 1st | 11 |
| 4 | 2nd | 17 |
| 8 | 3rd | 7 |
| 23 | TOTAL | 35 |
PLAYER POINTS
| G | A | S | +/- | H | TOI | |
| MILLER | 1 | 4 | +1 | 3 | 22:07 | |
| GIUSEPPE | 1 | 3 | +2 | 4 | 09:13 | |
| SOUCY | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17:34 | |
| LINDHOLM | 1 | 3 | +1 | 3 | 22:05 | |
| PETTERSSON | 1 | 3 | +1 | 1 | 19:21 | |
| Saves | Shots | SV% | ||||
| SILOVS | 21 | 23 | .913 |
TACO AND TEAM TALK
"Almost every single guy gave us everything they had." - Coach Taco
JT and Pete meet the press.
Myers responds.
Saint Soucy respecting the presser.
PDG happy with the baby bump and the win.
RESILIENT! The resilient Nucks proved their resilience in this game. Taco's tough talk last game and shrewd lineup changes certainly got all Nucks players engaged. Out hustled the Oil. Killed ALL the penalties. Good game. Time to move on.
Can the Nucks be even more determined on the road?
The loss on Tuesday was frustrating for a number of reasons, but tune out what the talking heads are telling you, the pressure remains on the Oilers here, not the Canucks.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS EDMONTON OILERS (SERIES TIED 2-2)
7:00PM PST
ROGERS ARENA, VANCOUVER, BC
RADIO: SN650 TV: ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS
There's always different views of a given situation, and it's up to you to figure out which one you choose to believe. On the one hand, as numerous outlets have breathlessly told us, each of these four games were either won or lost by the Edmonton Oilers. If this feels familiar, it should.
Getting credit where it's due has been probably the biggest challenge this season. Every accomplishment seems to come with an asterisk. The wins, and improved offensive play are merely the product of an extremely high PDO, and nothing more. And even with Rick Tocchet deservedly getting an Adams Trophy nomination, it's still not enough for people to admit that the Canucks are pretty good.
One of the NHL's worst defences, overhauled in mere months. New systems that helped them on their way to one of the best seasons in franchise history. All just luck in the eyes of some. And that's fine. After all, at the end of the day, the Canucks are way ahead of schedule in the retooling process, and every single playoff game is a bonus. So while there's pressure to get going, for assorted reasons, the bulk of the pressure is still, deservedly so, on the backs of the Edmonton Oilers.
This is year nine of the Connor McDavid era, and at least year three of them being considered a serious Stanley Cup contender. And through all of that, they have just one Conference Finals appearance to show for it. They have the two best players in the NHL, along with a number of elite players, and they're fortunate to have been able to tie the series at two games a piece against a team that hasn't given us a 60 minute effort once through the entire playoffs, and doing that with their third string goaltender.
They might be outshooting the Canucks, and leading in offensive zone time, but the majority of their offence is either a) on the power play, or b) on jaw droppingly fortunate bounces and deflections. Ian Cole is literally driving their offence right now, and that's not a joke.
I'm not gonna be torn up if the Canucks lose this series, but the thing is: they don't have to lose it. If they can give one frickin' complete game, where everyone shows up, they'll roll these clowns. They're absolute frauds, and the fact that the Canucks can put in 20-30 minutes a night and this series is down to a best of three proves that.
So, there has to be changes, right? Elias Pettersson simply cannot continue to be such a non-factor. There are a number of players who are just providing nothing of value for the Canucks right now, and this is being addressed in a number of changes to the lineup tonight. Ideally, the Canucks should want to end this series in Edmonton Saturday. With the Colorado Avalanche staving off elimination in Dallas last night, that series could potentially go the full seven games. A couple additional days rest and practice, especially for Thatcher Demko, is imperative. As well as Arturs Silovs has played, a healthy Demko is the key for any path forward if they can get to the Conference Finals.
So, expect the Canucks to come out pissed off tonight. They know they haven't played their best yet, and with an opportunity to put a stranglehold on the series, let their foot off the Oilers' collective throats. Time to remind them who the best team in the Pacific is tonight, eh?
LINEUPS
Oilers projected lineup
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Connor McDavid -- Zach Hyman
Dylan Holloway -- Leon Draisaitl -- Evander Kane
Warren Foegele -- Ryan McLeod -- Corey Perry
Mattias Janmark -- Derek Ryan
Mattias Ekholm -- Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse -- Vincent Desharnais
Brett Kulak -- Cody Ceci
Philip Broberg
Calvin Pickard
Stuart Skinner
Scratched: Sam Carrick, Sam Gagner, Troy Stecher, Connor Brown
Injured: Adam Henrique (lower body)
Canucks projected lineup
Pius Suter -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Nils Hoglander -- Elias Lindholm -- Elias Pettersson
Dakota Joshua -- Teddy Blueger -- Conor Garland
Phillip Di Giuseppe -- Nils Aman -- Vasily Podkilzin
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Nikita Zadorov -- Ian Cole
Arturs Silovs
Casey DeSmith
Scratched: Mark Friedman, Christian Wolanin, Noah Juulsen, Sam Lafferty, Ilya Mikheyev, Linus Karlsson
Injured: Thatcher Demko (undisclosed)
Okay, this is what we wanted to see. Changes needed, changes made. Pettersson with Lindholm and a rested Hoglander, the return of the Bleug Man Group (not my bit, but I will give credit to the guy if I can find the tweet), PDG back to score a goal for his new baby boy, and the playoff debut of Vasily Podkolzin.
No changes for the Oilers, at least tonight. Pickard gets shelled tonight. Book it.
GAME DAY CHATTER
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Part of a wave of amazing metal bands from India, tonight's Battle Hymn is "Give 'Em Hell" from AGAINST EVIL. It's the title track from their new album on Doc Gator Records, and it's got a real nice, high energy old school feel. Crank this one loud enough that they can hear it down on Scott Road! Enjoy the game, everyone! Go Canucks Go!
Play like you mean it for 10 minutes - Lose like you don't care.
The Nucks came into the game up 2-1 and could have taken a strangle muffle hold on the series. Unlike the previous game where the Nucks started strong and cruised and bruised to the win, Nucks started weak and faded until the late 3rd.
Maybe it was just bad puck luck. But the Nucks found themselves on the PP early. And it went really well. For the Oil.
Amazing powerplay...took a minute to even get into the oilers zone for all of 6 seconds...
Twitch
And the Colean good clean clear therapy isn't on the game cards.
Two failed clears by cole, miller to the box for an oscar winning dive by draisaitl.
Twitch
And Cole gets to stay for the PK and miscommunicates with Josh and... it's 1-0 Oil.
Who cares? Not the Nucks. Because they get a 4 minute PP to eeek out a tie game. Or not. If there was ever a time to push the pace and play like Game 3 Nucking PP this would be it. Or not.
No urgency with the PP....come on
Westy
Do the canucks even give a shit if they score? Holy, lack of give-a-fuck level.
Twitch
That pathetic effort on the 4 minute PP pretty much set the Nucking tone for the game. A monotone with zero compete or finish.
With any hope of any Nucking momentum killed and buried in a shallow fashion shop in the greatest mall on Earth it's 1-0 Oil after 1. Could have been 3-1 Nucks, but that would take effort. A team effort.
1st period Canucks suck tonight
Westy
Someone in the gamethread, might have been me, but that's just an unconfirmed rumour... but someone in the gamethread noted the lack of interest in playing hockey from the Nucks was somehow tied to off ice threats.
The fix is in. Nucks have been told to throw the game... for reasons we're not allowed to know.
There's no hustle or intensity, not from even one player. Gotta be a team-directive to play passive.
jimmi
To be fair Gnarly was hustling... just not enough.
In the 2nd, gamethread is hopeful.
Good news is that we couldn't play worse than this period, so we should be better in the second.
Atty
Nucks do play a little better, giving us a little hope.
Ref trips garland...one of those nights.
Twitch
But then...
Cole needs to sit
Westy
Until 2025 preferrably.
Twitch
Gamethread, as ever, has the best strategies.
We need to screen our shots. Too easy for the goalie.
Atty
And lots of questions.
Why didn't lindholm shoot there?
Twitch
And then just when it looked like the Nucks would get out of the 2nd being just a goal down... Juuls decides to blow coverage and put a big hit on Stockieholm while taking out one of his own wingers - that's how big a hit it was. Which setup a 2-on-1 where Nudge scores on Silovs, who didn't stop the breakaway because it wasn't DrySaddling-in.
I am not even surprised or shocked by the Oils scoring the second one. We are trying to work less than the Oil and sneak in a goal or two.
Atty
No chance of that.
2-0 Nucks after 2.
I would luv to see a video comparison of a 1974 playoff game to a 2024 playoff game
It would look the exact same...right lolololololol
I'm out of breath just sitting and watching
'82wino
In the 3rd, Nucks have woken up from the 40 minute power nap and are finally ready to put some pressure on the tOil and their 2nd string backup goalie who plays like a low rent DeSmith.
Gnarly and Arty carrying the team.
Atty
Hopefully more will join.
That's the thing that is soooooo frustrating to watch. The Nucks, when the team, the entire team plays Taco Tough hockey, they can beat the McOil. When the team engages and forechecks with intensity and put pucks on net, goals will follow.
Only fitting, that Gnarland, gets the 1st Nucking goal of the game in the early 3rd. From the hard work of his linemates forechecking. 2-1 Oil.
As with most Nucking comeback stories, have to wait until the goalie is pulled in the final minutes. And guess what. The comeback kids scare the tOil. Brock puts a shot on net or on Josh's skate. 2-2 tie.
Brock!!!
Westy
Unfortunately... in the last minute with the tie assured, the Nucks play 5 mistakes in a single tirefire. The most egregious mistake was permitting passes through the 'guts' and not blocking the Bouchard shot. Total gut punch.
Oil win 3-2.
brutal end
Westy
Interesting ending...
Atty
As I said, need to play two periods. Or three is even better.
OBSERVATIONS
Ronnie has no goals, no points in 10 playoff games. Had a good game 1, terrible the last 3. If PA signs him to the 8-by-8 he wants, then we'll know JB is still filtering the paperwork.
Miller didn't have his best game. He knows it. He wasn't alone. As ever in these playoffs, we're waiting for our 'superstar' to show up.
Petey really is out of sorts. He turns to hit people with his ass and his first strides are slow
Westy
Wasting that 4 minute PP in the 1st was a game-killer. Nucks need to keep up in the special teams battle. Or at least get 1 freaking goal on 3 powerplays in the playoffs! Nucks need to move their freakin' feet once they get in the zone. Static powerplays do not work.
Too much hesitation on so many plays, as Taco calls it, "pause hockey - can't win when you have 5 or 6 passengers."
As Taco explains later, he feels some guys aren't aware the playoffs have started. In the playoffs, the work ethic must elevate, the will to win every puck battle raised. And the willingness to sacrifice the body to make the play. Unlike Miller who avoided, rather than block Bouchard's winning shot.
McOIL REEL
Watch with the sound off. It's Homer Simpson night in Edmonton.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| CANUCKS | Period | tOIL |
| 4 | 1st | 8 |
| 9 | 2nd | 14 |
| 8 | 3rd | 8 |
| 21 | TOTAL | 30 |
TACO TEAM TALK
Taco was pissed. Almost called out some players - hello Pete.
Gnarland talks about the pressure and sustaining it.
Miller is breaking down the presser.
Capt'n Huggie is moving on.
Not a good Nucking game. One wonders what it would look like if the Nucks played fully engaged for the full 60 minutes.
Nucks get a chance to do just that on Thursday in the ROG. After getting their backs re-stripped after Taco takes a few strips out of them, they'll be ready to bounce back.
And win. As a wise commenter stated about the Oil: "They look as greazzy as your 8th grade science teacher's combover." Or something. Once the Nucks neutralize McSaddle and stay out of the box, the Oil's depth is... shallow. And greasy.
Anyhow, we all, or some of us, called the Nucks to win in 7, so it's still possible. On the bright side, we haven't seem them play their best game yet. They've got more to give.
