Canucks Game

So after watching the Canucks game, I really wanted to mention a few things.

1) Pavelski 

I just realized that when we needed a goal, I was constantly asking myself where Pavs was. This kid has taken the Sharks upon his shoulders and is emerging as a leader. I would most definitely make resigning him a higher priority than signing Nabokov and Marleau. Pavs has it all; penalty kill, power play, even strength, shootout... he's becoming my go-to-guy on the team (yes ahead of Thornton, Heatley etc.).

2) Clowe

He's returning to his power forward roll! This can only be good news because he has a big body and should use it. I saw him fighting in the corners and getting the dirty plays. He got a goal because of his strength.

3) Couture

This was the first time I really watched the kid play a game. I thought that he did well. He did not make any stupid plays, he played the corners and behind the net real well. I hope that he does not have to make the trip back down to Worcester because if he becomes part of this team, better start now. I might even see what Couture has and put him on the second line for a bit... just a thought

4) Huskins & Leach

Can somebody please take either Moore, Joslin, or Demers and put them in place of these two. I know that Huskins had two assists on the night but overall, the guys get nervous when handling the puck and make bad turnovers in our own end! I think we know why Montreal placed Leach on waivers now... I'm not trying to be critical, it's just that I constantly saw them making mistakes when the pressure was on. I would prefer (when Vlasic is healthy) to have a look like this:

Boyle - Murray

Blake - Vlasic

Wallin - Demers/Joslin/Moore

5) Thornton

SHOOT!!! I saw so many times where if Joe had just shot the puck, we either could have had a goal, rebound, or (if worse) an offensive zone face off. Instead, he forces a turnover and we go back on the defense. I don't want him not to stop passing, just to shoot the puck a little.

6) Overall

So overall, I saw a better effort and more chances. The top line was shut down (worries me a little) but they were not completely out of it (at least Thornton wasn't). For tomorrow night, I would really like to see lines like:

Heatley - Thornton - Setoguchi

Marleau - Pavelski - Couture

McGinn - Malhotra - Clowe

Ortmeyer - Nichol - Mitchell 

and then:

Boyle - Murray

Blake - Wallin

*Huskins - Demers

*providing that Vlasic will not play