—Rick Rypien Might be Gone for the Season: Rypien’s an easy hockey player to like. After playing with the WHL’s Regina Pats, he was signed by the Manitoba Moose in 2005 on an amateur tryout agreement, and pounded his way through about 162 penalty minutes in 71 AHL games. Unfortunately injuries have been a bitch this year. Perhaps not surprisingly.

—Sami Salo is Back: Excellent. Yannick Tremblay has been reassigned to Manitoba.

—Canucks Should Fear Thee: Something that came out in The Straight last week was a list of the teams the Canucks should most fear in the playoffs. In order of fear-factor, writer Jeff Paterson names Anaheim, San Jose and Minnesota.

Fair enough, but as of today the Canucks are destined to meet Dallas in the playoffs.

Now, I’ll gladly take Roberto Luongo’s“I’ve never played a playoff game, but I WILL kick your ass!” over Marty Turco’s“Why does the post-season always make everything go WRONG for me?!”, but I’m still not overjoyed at the prospect of facing the Stars.

But does it matter anyway? Every game is just inches away from elimination or glory, no matter who you play.

God, I’m so ready for the playoffs. BRING IT ON! :-)