Series Preview - Canucks Forwards
Now that we've taken a look at the clown college that is the Canucks corps of defensemen, lets get a closer look at a far more frightening group, the Canucks forward lines.
More after the jump...
Top Line - Mikael Sumuelsson - Henrik Sedin - Daniel Sedin
This is what we call in my country a "problem". Any line that boasts the year's Ross trophy winner is going to be a royal pain in the ass to contain, and Henrik Sedin and his Swedish countrymen are going to be noticed. Mikael Samuelsson jumped up to join the Sweet Valley High twins in the first series, and has been thoroughly lighting it up since, leading all scorers with 7 goals to this point. Their game is to cycle the puck low and wait for a defenseman to bite and get out of position, then make a pass for a shot in a dangerous section of the ice. This line will get theirs-scoring wise, but it will be the job of Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith and likely the Sharp line to keep the line from going apeshit, and being positionally sound will be key.
Second Line - Alex Burrows-Ryan Kesler-Mason Raymond
Ahh yes, everyone's favorite arbiter of cowardice, Ryan Kesler, anchors the Nucks second line, which will also draw the checking assignment against Daydream Nation. Alex Burrows finds himself on this line after potting 35 goals with the twins during the regular season due to posting a bagel against the Kings until he finally potted the empty netter to clinch it- which of course meant he had to do his bow-and-arrow thing (I don't care if it's a tribute, after an empty net goal, it's a D.B. move). Kesler and Burrows provide the grit on the line, and Raymond provides the speed, but don't be fooled, this line can clearly put the puck in the net.
Third Line - Pavol Demitra - Kyle Wellwood - Steve Bernier
Vancover's third line follows the Quenneville template of puck-winner, playmaker, finisher with Bernier, Wellwood, and Demitra respectively. But Demitra is old and hurt, Wellwood is fat, and Bernier is an underachieving meathead. Though Bernier has elevated his game in the Los Angeles series, it will be interesting to see if he can keep up that pace. If Kyle Wellwood plays like there's Ho-Hos behind Antti Niemi, it could pose a problem to the Hawks, as well as if Pavol Demitra plays like he did in the Olympics, consistency is something that's eluded him since his days in St. Louis. The production of this line as opposed to that of the Hawks third line of Versteeg, Bolland, and Ladd will be an indicator of who will win the series.
Fourth Line - Michael Grabner - Rick Rypien - Jannik Hansen
Unfortunately, the widget thing that lets me put up mug shots and stats is being lame right now, so you're just going to have to use your imagination for all of them. Basically all you need to know that this line has one point between the three of them, and Rick Rypien is a total fucking lunatic. This line will be out to disrupt shifts and provide energy and physicality in their limited time on the ice.
So there you have it, there's a lot for the Hawks to worry about up front, but if the Hawks can get back to their puck possession game, it will most definitely limit the chances Antti Niemi will have to face coming back the other way.
