CBC-Sports

It's run and be run in the playoffs

April 30, 2009 03:55 PM | Posted by   CBC Sports Staff  

The Chicago Blackhawks had the second-best power play in the first round, clicking at 29.2 per cent against the Calgary Flames.

The Vancouver Canucks, meanwhile, had the second-best penalty kill at 95.8 per cent and they earned it, being the second-most penalized team taking close to seven minors per game against the St. Louis Blues.

The Blues, at times, were playing five forwards on their powerplay, which struggled to even appear dangerous. It will be a whole different picture with the likes of Brian Campbell on the other side.

Discipline has been a buzzword in the Canuck room all week in the build up to this series. The Canucks have admitted you can only go to the well so many times before it dries up.

Healed And Healthy

Both sides have no injuries to report. The Blackhawks gave Jonathan Toews and Matt Walker the day off Wednesday, but both will play tonight. Toews skated during the Hawks optional ice time this morning.

Vancouver's injured list after the St. Louis series consisted of Willie Mitchell (overall body soreness), Mats Sundin (lower body) and Sami Salo (lower body). Each have had at least two practices since their first round sweep and will play tonight.

Taylor Pyatt has not spoken to the media since his return to the team a week ago, but it would appear he is not ready to rejoin his team since the passing of his fiancée on April 2. Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault said they are approaching it on a "day to day basis" and said "you’ll see tonight if he's playing."

Sharing The Wealth

The Blackhawks rolled all four lines pretty effectively throughout their first-round series with the Flames. The team's top three centres all had similar ice time: Toews (15:45); Bolland (19:27); and Pahlsson (17:37). There isn't a single Blackhawks forward who averaged 20 minutes or more of ice time in the first round.

Sly Swede

Sundin returns to playoff hockey after missing two games. He was asked after the morning skate if he expects to be a target. With a sly smile on his face, he responded: "It's part of the playoffs. We're all going to be run and taking runs at people.

"That's the game of hockey, that's this time of year."

Goalie Guru

Canucks goalie consultant Ian Clarke arrived in town today and did some extra work with Roberto Luongo this morning. This is his first visit of the playoffs.

Byfuglien could be seen peeking out from the Blackhawks tunnel, watching Luongo carefully during the skate. Byfuglien ran Luongo in the two teams last regular-season meetings and it triggered a line brawl.

Cowan Recalled

The Canucks have recalled forward Jeff Cowan from the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen. Cowan lost his roster spot at training camp and was on loan to Peoria. Their season ended two days ago and the Canucks decided to call him up because, as Vigneault said, "He is a good team guy."

Two years ago, he was nicknamed 'Cowan The Bra-barian' after an article of women's clothing was thrown on the ice after he scored a goal.

Canucks Lineup

Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin- Alex Burrows
Ryan Kesler-Mats Sundin (Jannik Hansen comes out)-Pavol Demitra
Steve Bernier-Kyle Wellwood-Mason Raymond
Darcy Hordichuk-Ryan Johnson-Rick Rypien

Mattias Ohlund-Alex Edler
Willie Mitchell-Sami Salo (Ossi Vaananan comes out)
Shane O'Brien-Kevin Bieksa

Blackhawks Lineup

Patrick Sharp-Jonathan Toews-Patrick Kane
Andrew Ladd-David Bolland-Martin Havlat
Kris Versteeg-Sami Pahlsson-Dustin Byfuglien
Ben Eager-Adam Burish-Troy Brouwer

Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook
Cam Barker-Brian Campbell
Niklas Hjalmarsson-Matt Walker

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