Getting it done in Jersey...

A strange one last night to be sure, as no one would have predicted that first period. But once again we see signs of the Canucks team we thought we would see starting to rear it's head. Not a flawless game by any stretch, but their execution overall, including focus on making high % plays as Coach V had discussed before the game with TSN's Ray Ferraro was pretty much bang on. The Sedins with Alex Burrows looked dangerous all night, and while the Devils admittedly didn't play well, it really looked like they struggled to contain the speed and tenacity of the Canucks offensively. Alex Edler had probably his best game of the season, and Shane O'Brien was tough albeit rusty as he drew into the lineup for the first time in 7 games as Mathieu Schneider sat the first half of this back to back. Luongo shook off a couple late first period goals and was flawless the rest of the way, the Canucks D helped by limiting the number of quality chances the Devils got, though he was huge when called upon. We all know that one game isn't going to decide the Olympic goalie question, but this one game certainly sends a message to Luongo's detractors that he is getting into a groove as the Games approach and will be ready if called upon to help lead Team Canada to victory.

So tonight it's the dreaded Flyers, whom we forever struggle against. But could this be a change in that pattern? The Broad Street Bullies have just one win in their last 6, and have not been the team many predicted this season so far. The Flyers have struggled to score this year, though they will get a boost as Daniel Briere returns tonight. They will need him, as the Flyers have scored a mere 12 goals in that 6 game span. Brian Boucher will get the nod for the Flyers tonight, who lost to the Canucks the last time they hosted them back in 2005. No word yet if Luongo will go back to back, though I think this would be a perfect opportunity to get Andrew Raycroft a little work. Luongo isn't going to get many opportunities to rest, and with a brutal December schedule that sees the Canucks play almost literally every 2nd night, they would do well to sit him tonight and have him back in Saturday morning against the Hurricanes. PPV tonight (Canucks are 3-1 in PPV games this year) and it seems that the Flyers are ripe for the picking. Let's hope they're not too tired to get a much needed win against the D-bags from Philly...