Finish What Ya Started

There's a bizarre feeling of deja vu in the air, but perhaps that simply comes with the territory of being a Canucks fan.

In advance of Saturday's Game 5 battle, Canuck nation was confident. Almost overwhelmingly so. The Canucks had just returned from the Music City where they took 2-of-2 games against the tight-checking Nashville Predators. The Canucks had them on the ropes with a 3-1 series lead and an opportunity to close out the Western Conference Semi-Final on home ice with a win on Saturday. In addition to this, Ryan Kesler was exhibiting perhaps the best playoff performance this franchise has seen since Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure and Kirk McLean starred in the Canucks' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1994, and the brothers Sedin had finally gotten on the scoresheet, combining for 5 points in Games 3 and 4.

But alas, the Canucks lost Game 5. This wasn't a repeat of the Chicago series, mind you--there was no blowout, there was no complete and total disappearance by the Canucks as there was in Games 4 and 5 vs. Chicago, two games where the Canucks were outscored 12-2.

But Canuck nation has paused again. The typical playoff catchphrases are being thrown around regarding these Vancouver Canucks, and they're not of the flattering variety. A lack of killer instinct, a lack of drive, a lack of the will to win. "Just like 2003" is another phrase that is being whispered around. (for the unitiated--the Vancouver Canucks held a 3-1 series lead in 2003 over another tight-checking defensive team that was well coached, the Minnesota Wild. They ended up blowing that series lead and lost Game 7 on home ice in what still remains the most epic collapse in the history of this franchise).

But is it really the same? Was it really due to a lack of the will to win from the Canucks?

My answer is simple--no. I think that, save for a few stretches of play, the Canucks were in control of Game 5. They generated more chances, more shots on goal and had the run of the momentum throughout the game. It ended 4-3--a close game to be certain. And were it not for Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne and his better looking sister Lady Luck, this series might have ended on Saturday.

So what did cause the Canucks to lose?

The short answer is a combination of awful puck luck and, more importantly, themselves. Three of the Predators' four goals were gift wrapped missives from horrible defensive miscues by the Canucks, starting early in the 1st period when Mikael Samuelsson turned the puck over at the Nashville blueline, resulting in a shorthanded breakaway for David Legwand. Roberto Luongo, who has faced approximately one breakaway per game in this series (stopping them all prior to this point) was beaten blocker side.

The Canucks put their hard hats on and came back with a vengeance. Raffi Torres scored his first of the playoffs after a splendid forechecking effort by Jannik Hansen. Ryan Kesler then continued to write his own legend by hustling hard to the net on a two-on-one player and beating out Norris Trophy nominee Shea Weber to the loose puck, banging it home for a 2-1 lead. The Canucks then ended the period with some great pressure in the Nashville end. They were in complete control.

But then the second period began and the poor luck started. The play was behind the Vancouver goal where David Legwand was digging for a loose puck. It sprang up in the air and over top of the net, striking Vancouver defensemen Alexander Edler in the forearm before bouncing into the net. A play that you could try to replicate a thousand times and fail to get the same result. But nevertheless, the Predators were back in it.

For a short time after that, the Predators smelled blood. They came on in droves and the Canucks were on their heels. But around the midway point of the period, the Canucks found their feet again and started to push back. The period ended with one of the best shifts Daniel and Henrik Sedin had had in all of the playoffs, and hope was building headed into the 3rd period.

But then the Canucks served up two more sacrificial offerings to the Predators, both instances to Joel Ward. Early in the period, Kevin Bieksa made an ill advised clearing attempt, banking the puck off the boards towards the blueline. But the angle was bad and the puck ended up right on a Nashville stick; one cross-ice pass to Joel Ward later, and it was a 3-2 hockey game. Only five minutes later, Alex Edler (who had a rough night) lost the puck in his skates in front. Ward was again only too happy to pick up the table scraps and fire it past a startled Roberto Luongo. 4-2 Predators.

Now, Ryan Kesler did make the game close again with another great play after receiving stitches and losing a tooth. But the fact is, the Canucks beat themselves in Game 5. I am not trying to discredit what the Predators have done in this series at all; they have made every single game close and have hung around when the play has intimated that should have been finished long ago. But Game 5 was not a cause for Canuck fans to panic. The better team lost the game, and the Canucks know it.

Now what do they need going into Game 6 tonight? I'll avoid the playoff cliches and say what every single Canuck player needs is a little bit of Ryan Kesler.

Kesler has been the most dominating player in the series. He fights for every inch, he battles for every puck and he is seeming to score at will--5 goals and 4 assists in 5 games. But it's his determination on the ice that is leading the way. While one would like to think he can do it all himself, it would certainly be nice if some of the other stars on the Canucks were able to step up and show fifty percent of the drive that Kesler is putting on.

The good news is, they have another opportunity to do just that tonight. And to get over the hump and get to the Conference Finals for the first time in 17 years.

So come on, Vancouver. Finish What Ya Started.