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Who will Canucks play in Round 1?
Ghost of playoffs past feels 'nervous about the first round, really nervous'
By GARY MASON
The Vancouver Sun
There I was, sitting in my La-Z-Boy, just me, some pop, some chips, some dip, a package of licorice Twizzlers, a Caramilk bar, a pan of Rice Krispie squares and the latest copy of The Hockey News, when the voice descended on me.
Well, Mr. Know-it-all, who do the Canucks wanna face in the first round?
I closed my magazine and looked around.
Who's there?
I'm the ghost of playoffs past. Canucks playoffs past to be precise. I've been there for them all, kid. I saw Smyl hit the post against Calgary in '89 and Kirk McLean make the greatest save of his life against those same Flames in '94. But I've got to tell you I'm nervous about the first round, really nervous.
Nervous? I said. About the first round? Obviously you haven't been following the Canucks too closely this year. They're likely going to be the highest scoring team in the league for the second straight year, likely going to win their division, likely going to have this year's NHL scoring leader in their lineup, and you're worried?
Well, they haven't sewn up the division title yet. And if Colorado manages to overtake them St. Louis won't be any fun at all.
Well, let me let you in on a little secret Mr. Ghost. St. Louis doesn't have a goalie who can drink a glass of water without leaking. And that's why they won't get past the first round regardless of who they play.
Yes, that's what they said about Chris Osgood in '98 too. Somehow he managed to get his name engraved on old Stanley that year. And let me tell you another thing: the Canucks don't have five guys that can match Al MacInnis, Doug Weight, Keith Tkachuk, Pavol Demitra and a defenceman named Chris Pronger. Ever heard of him?
Oh, that's a good one Ghostie Boy. Ever heard of Chris Pronger. Actually, it's funny you should mention him. Saw his debut against Detroit a couple of nights ago. I wonder if he got wind burn from all those Wings flying by him?
Wind burn. Oh, that's so witty. Give me a second to gather myself. I have it on good authority that Pronger will be ready for the playoffs. And he'll be bringing a mean streak that will have the Sedins complaining of mysterious ailments before the game.
Hey, don't you worry about the Sedins. Just tell Keith Tkachuk to keep his head up when Brad May's on the ice.
What about Anaheim? You probably think the Canucks would just blow by them as well. I've been following Paul Kariya's team and let me tell you, they are going to surprise someone.
Yeah, well, when Steve Thomas is your second best player I don't get too worried.
Well, allow me to let you in on a little secret. When it comes to the playoffs the most important player on your team is the goaltender. And when it comes to the playoffs little things, like faceoffs, become crucial. The Ducks have two of the best goalies in the league and the best faceoff percentage in the entire NHL.
Please, please. Next you're going to be saying Sandis Ozolinsh is a legitimate Conn Smythe candidate.
And Minnesota? I guess the Mighty Nucks would take care of them in four straight.
Maybe the Wild could eke out a win but of all the possible matchups I like this one the best. Yes, Minny has some speed and any team coached by Jacques Lemaire is going to be ready to play, but in the end they're no match for Vancouver.
Teams don't score as many goals in the playoffs as they do during the regular season. That's why goaltending is 100 times more important. One bad goal and ... well, ask Dan Cloutier about that. But I wouldn't mind going into the playoffs with Manny Fernandez and Dwayne Roloson as my tandem. They're good enough to steal a series all by themselves.
And don't forget Edmonton, Mr. Ghostie, they're still a threat. As long as no one discovers Tommy Salo's weak spot and fires a puck at his head. Maybe the Canucks can sign someone from Belarus just in case we meet them in the first round.
Yes, maybe so. But the Oilers have something the Canucks don't - those five Stanley Cup banners that hang from the rafters. In recent years, those banners have been known to give Edmonton teams special powers come playoff time. Just ask Dallas.
Tell you what. Why don't we have a little wager here? I say the Canucks advance to the second round no matter who they play.
I say it's another first-round disappointment.
You win and I give up Rice Krispie squares. I win and you have to promise not to say where I hide my Caramilk bars.
Won't say boo.
Who will Canucks play in Round 1?
Ghost of playoffs past feels 'nervous about the first round, really nervous'
By GARY MASON
The Vancouver Sun
There I was, sitting in my La-Z-Boy, just me, some pop, some chips, some dip, a package of licorice Twizzlers, a Caramilk bar, a pan of Rice Krispie squares and the latest copy of The Hockey News, when the voice descended on me.
Well, Mr. Know-it-all, who do the Canucks wanna face in the first round?
I closed my magazine and looked around.
Who's there?
I'm the ghost of playoffs past. Canucks playoffs past to be precise. I've been there for them all, kid. I saw Smyl hit the post against Calgary in '89 and Kirk McLean make the greatest save of his life against those same Flames in '94. But I've got to tell you I'm nervous about the first round, really nervous.
Nervous? I said. About the first round? Obviously you haven't been following the Canucks too closely this year. They're likely going to be the highest scoring team in the league for the second straight year, likely going to win their division, likely going to have this year's NHL scoring leader in their lineup, and you're worried?
Well, they haven't sewn up the division title yet. And if Colorado manages to overtake them St. Louis won't be any fun at all.
Well, let me let you in on a little secret Mr. Ghost. St. Louis doesn't have a goalie who can drink a glass of water without leaking. And that's why they won't get past the first round regardless of who they play.
Yes, that's what they said about Chris Osgood in '98 too. Somehow he managed to get his name engraved on old Stanley that year. And let me tell you another thing: the Canucks don't have five guys that can match Al MacInnis, Doug Weight, Keith Tkachuk, Pavol Demitra and a defenceman named Chris Pronger. Ever heard of him?
Oh, that's a good one Ghostie Boy. Ever heard of Chris Pronger. Actually, it's funny you should mention him. Saw his debut against Detroit a couple of nights ago. I wonder if he got wind burn from all those Wings flying by him?
Wind burn. Oh, that's so witty. Give me a second to gather myself. I have it on good authority that Pronger will be ready for the playoffs. And he'll be bringing a mean streak that will have the Sedins complaining of mysterious ailments before the game.
Hey, don't you worry about the Sedins. Just tell Keith Tkachuk to keep his head up when Brad May's on the ice.
What about Anaheim? You probably think the Canucks would just blow by them as well. I've been following Paul Kariya's team and let me tell you, they are going to surprise someone.
Yeah, well, when Steve Thomas is your second best player I don't get too worried.
Well, allow me to let you in on a little secret. When it comes to the playoffs the most important player on your team is the goaltender. And when it comes to the playoffs little things, like faceoffs, become crucial. The Ducks have two of the best goalies in the league and the best faceoff percentage in the entire NHL.
Please, please. Next you're going to be saying Sandis Ozolinsh is a legitimate Conn Smythe candidate.
And Minnesota? I guess the Mighty Nucks would take care of them in four straight.
Maybe the Wild could eke out a win but of all the possible matchups I like this one the best. Yes, Minny has some speed and any team coached by Jacques Lemaire is going to be ready to play, but in the end they're no match for Vancouver.
Teams don't score as many goals in the playoffs as they do during the regular season. That's why goaltending is 100 times more important. One bad goal and ... well, ask Dan Cloutier about that. But I wouldn't mind going into the playoffs with Manny Fernandez and Dwayne Roloson as my tandem. They're good enough to steal a series all by themselves.
And don't forget Edmonton, Mr. Ghostie, they're still a threat. As long as no one discovers Tommy Salo's weak spot and fires a puck at his head. Maybe the Canucks can sign someone from Belarus just in case we meet them in the first round.
Yes, maybe so. But the Oilers have something the Canucks don't - those five Stanley Cup banners that hang from the rafters. In recent years, those banners have been known to give Edmonton teams special powers come playoff time. Just ask Dallas.
Tell you what. Why don't we have a little wager here? I say the Canucks advance to the second round no matter who they play.
I say it's another first-round disappointment.
You win and I give up Rice Krispie squares. I win and you have to promise not to say where I hide my Caramilk bars.
Won't say boo.
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Forsberg pulls into point lead! 
