First round opponent possibilities are the inevitable talk in Vancouver heading into these last few games, and Tony Gallagher at The Province mentions one potentially tricky matchup in the form of Anahem. In particular:
Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan of the Ducks.
“What makes it fun to play those guys is that we both play the same way,” says Getzlaf of being out against the [Sedin] twins and Alex Burrows. “We both rely on puck possession and it’s tough on whichever line doesn’t have it at any given time. What we have to concentrate on when we play them is to make sure we make them take it from us, and it’s not us giving it to them.
It’s a hot line, but is the team as a whole really the scariest opponent on the horizon?
Iain MacIntyre in yesterday’s Vancouver Sun points out maybe it’s not as big a deal as Gallagher thinks:
Sizzling Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan are one of the best lines in hockey, but there isn’t much after them.
McIntyre went on to rank the scariest possible first round meetings, and decided Chicago worried him more. I’d have to agree.
If I had to choose between the Ducks and Blackhawks, I’d still rather face the Ducks. No matter what Anaheim’s “sizzling” top line might bring, it’s Chicago that worries me more.
MacIntyre refers to the Canucks problem with Chicago as a possible “mental block.” I’d take it further and say they’re almost like Canucks-kryptonite.
Of course, this year’s edition of the Blackhawks isn’t the same as previous editions—and certainly the Canucks themselves are a better team than in the past—but there’s still something about Chicago that makes me break out in hives when I think of the playoffs.
So bring on the Ducks!
[Of course, now karma is going to try and kick my ass by having the Canucks get knocked out in the first round by Anaheim… ooops.]
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