HockeyPenalty kill is Vancouver's nemesis

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It is simply unfathomable at any level, let alone in the NHL, that any team can't kill 50 per cent of its penalties, but that is what has the Vancouver Canucks behind in the series with the L.A. Kings.

The Kings are 7-for-12 on the power play and it's not only given them the lead in the series, but they've stunned the Canucks to the point where they may be afraid to get as physical as they need to be for fear of taking another penalty.

Penalties have turned every game. In Game 1, the Canucks were cruising until Andrew Alberts took a major penalty for a head hit on Brad Richardson and the Kings stayed in a game they were right out of because of it.  In Game 2, a penalty by Shane O'Brien let the Kings back in when they were in big trouble and the same could be said for Game 3.

Penalties, sub-par PK hurting Canucks 

Vancouver had a great start to the game, had all the big hits and momentum and as soon as they took a penalty they gave up a goal and momentum. It's not taking long to meltdown either. The three power-play goals in Game 3 were scored in just a minute and a half of playing time.  

If the Canucks could have killed just three or four more penalties in the series they might have a 3-0 lead in this series. At 5-on-5 they have given up just three goals in three games and that should be enough to be ahead in any series.  The Canucks haven't got a big save on the penalty kill either and what's the old line about which player needs to be the best penalty killer?

Speaking of goaltending.  Roberto Luongo hasn't made anyone think he can steal a game and now he's given up 12 goals on 45 shots in his last five periods at the Staples Center. He's been pulled from eight games this season and doesn't look confident.  Jonathan Quick is the better goaltender in this series after three games.

A good goal 

I thought Daniel Sedin's first third-period goal was a good one. Over the years I thought I'd figured out the criteria for a kicked in goal and a deflection. Now I'm not so sure and I suspect a lot of other people around the NHL are confused as well. 

There is no question in my mind that Daniel knew what he was doing when he deflected Alex Burrows pass into the net with his skate, but to suggest that it was a distinct kicking motion is a stretch indeed.  It's hard to kick with the outside of the blade and now we have seen a change in the interpretation of the rule that might lead to all sorts of arguments.  The next deflection that is called a goal will lead to a huge argument because of the call last night.

Even the referees seemed confused because they signaled a goal and seemed as curious as the rest of us about the decision to call it off. Make no mistake, Daniel knew what he was doing, but I think he directed the puck rather than kicked it and that under the rules should be OK. But not anymore.

Solid line

Vancouver's line changes were generally good ones.  Mason Raymond works well with Ryan Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson and that line was the Canucks' best.  Michael Grabner needs to finish but he always seems to get the puck in a position where he might score and his speed is a great asset for Vancouver. I would be surprised if the Canucks tinker with the lineup except that Pavol Demitra could play even less than he did off the fourth line.

Woozy Smyth

Did you notice how wonky Ryan Smyth was after the hard hit he took from Alex Edler in the first?  Smyth was so woozy he could barely stand up after the hit, but he insisted on staying in the game. On the next three shifts he could barely move and either gave up the puck or missed passes, but he stayed in the game and was much better by the third period.

That he stayed in or was allowed to stay in the game after seeing stars for half an hour was remarkable.

Kings' blue-line stepping up

Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty combined for a goal and six assists in Game 3 and have been a handful for the Canucks.  Doughty seems more comfortable in his own end of the rink than Johnson, but both have issues in that regard that are overlooked because they are so good on the power play and can skate the puck out of trouble when necessary. Through three games the Canucks have two points from defencemen while the Kings have nine.

Christian Ehrhoff is playing close to five minutes more per game than he did in the regular season. So far it's not evident that he's played a lot off hockey, but now he's going to run into a lot tougher games. Can he keep it up at 30 minutes a game?

Modin addition a good one

The deadline deal that got the Kings Fredrik Modin is looking pretty good right now.   Modin has scored twice and is working on a shutdown line against the Sedins with Michal Handzus and Brad Richardson. He's not as fast as he used to be but he's smart and can still shoot.  That said the Canucks can't win this series if that line is better than the Sedins with Alex Burrows.

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