by Ken Campbell - June 9, 2011 9:31 PM EDT
Tim Thomas and the Bruins have all the momentum after a pair of one-sided wins, but will losing last change stop the 'B' train?
VANCOUVER – When asked about their two-game meltdown in the Stanley Cup final, the Vancouver Canucks, almost to a man, said their troubles would end if they could somehow find a way to solve Tim Thomas’s mastery over them.
by Ken Campbell - June 9, 2011 1:48 AM EDT
The Bruins are outworking the Canucks so far this series, but Tim Thomas isn't making it easy for the Canucks to get going.
BOSTON – Let the record show that the Stanley Cup final is now down to a best-of-three series with the Vancouver Canucks owning two of those games on their home ice.
by Ken Campbell - June 8, 2011 7:40 PM EDT
After the GMs meetings in Boston, it's expected Rule 48 will be tweaked, but not enough is being done and there's no end in sight.
BOSTON – Nobody is really sure exactly what the GMs spent five hours discussing Wednesday afternoon when it comes to head shots, largely because they were being deliberately vague, but we know two things emerged from their meeting.
by Ken Campbell - June 8, 2011 3:46 PM EDT
The Canucks lost their way in Game 3, so when the road crowd gets loud again and the Bruins get physical, Vancouver has to remember what got them here.
BOSTON – The Vancouver Canucks won the Presidents’ Trophy and made it to the Stanley Cup final largely because their best players grasped the concept of discipline and “playing between the whistles.
by Ken Campbell - June 7, 2011 4:29 PM EDT
The NHL deserves kudos for this suspension, but will it serve as a benchmark?; Brian Burke not involved; and more.
BOSTON – From this corner, it’s impossible to argue about the length of the suspension handed down to Aaron Rome of the Vancouver Canucks.
by Ken Campbell - June 7, 2011 12:59 AM EDT
Aaron Rome's ugly hit on Nathan Horton was bad enough, but after Vancouver fell behind, they just gave up.
BOSTON – The Boston Bruins had more players from north of the 49th by a 14-10 margin in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final, but it was the Vancouver Canucks who emerged with the Ugly Canadian tag they seem to wear so well.
by Ken Campbell - June 6, 2011 3:39 PM EDT
The Bruins need to challenge the Canucks more and, perhaps, put Zdeno Chara back on the point where he can use his shot.
BOSTON – It’s unlikely there will be any major lineup changes for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final for either the Boston Bruins or Vancouver Canucks, but the Bruins acknowledge they’re going to have to change their approach if they hope to get back into the series.
by Ken Campbell - June 5, 2011 6:38 PM EDT
Now in Toronto as the assistant to Brian Burke, Dave Nonis' refusal for change has helped the current roster; plus a level-headed Bieksa.
EN ROUTE FROM VANCOUVER TO BOSTON – Some sunny Sunday observations after the first turn of the Stanley Cup final:
• There was a time when Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa would have responded to the two-handed slash across the ankles he received from Rich Peverley by trying to put Peverley through the boards on his next shift.
by Ken Campbell - June 5, 2011 1:25 AM EDT
Any recent playoff disappointments have only worked in this Vancouver team's favor as the Canucks sit two wins away from the Stanley Cup.
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks are well on their way to winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, but are doing absolutely nothing to dispel one of hockey’s most long held beliefs.
by Ken Campbell - June 4, 2011 2:56 PM EDT
Will Manny Malhotra play? Who will take over for Dan Hamhuis? All this makes you wonder if the NHL should follow the NFL's lead.
VANCOUVER – You never, ever really know when it comes to injury disclosure with this league, but all indications point to Manny Malhotra completing a remarkable comeback in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final after almost three months out of the lineup.
by Ken Campbell - June 3, 2011 8:18 PM EDT
Both teams are looking to make adjustments on their power play for Game 2, but the Canucks have a couple of lineup questions to answer as well.
VANCOUVER – Trying to decode the mixed messages from Alain Vigneault concerning which player will replace Dan Hamhuis or whether Manny Malhotra will make an appearance was more daunting than a power play opportunity for the Boston Bruins.
by Ken Campbell - June 2, 2011 8:00 PM EDT
Missing a big name on the blueline nothing new for Vancouver...Big bite? No big deal...And where can Tim Thomas go?
VANCOUVER – If Dan Hamhuis misses Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final, there is no doubt it will represent a huge blow to the Vancouver Canucks.
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This Week - Subscribe NowAll things considered, how would you rate this NHL season?
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“I think when you’re at home the first two games, sometimes you get a little bit too comfortable at home. Then you come on the road, maybe it’s like a rude awakening…We’ve had three series to figure that out, learn it. We definitely want to be better (Monday), especially in the first game on the road.”
- Chicago's Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks are 0-3 in Game 3s this playoff.
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