Are the Canucks on the Path of worse case scenario? or is there a Glimmer of Hope?

[tas]

2 hours ago, CanuckFanForever said:

I have been watching the standings very closely this whole season as I bet most of you have and now that they sit 1st in their conference Tied in pts with Vegas but with the tie breaker of regulation wins 21 to 15 (which is just outstanding) and leading the League in points with Vegas @ 47 ( keep in mind that both the Rangers and Bruins have 4 games in hand with point % .750 and .733 respectively). 

 

As impressive as all this is it is what is happening below them that make the Canucks position in their conference get dicey. Which will beg the Question Is it the worse case scenario?

 

Let me explain?

 

So far it looks like no team in the Pacific is going to catch Vegas, Vancouver or LA. Which means the Canucks are going to be 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their division. That means the Canucks path through the playoffs works out in 2 ways. Either the Canuck place 2nd or 3rd (2/3 chance of this happening) and they play LA or Vegas in the first round. If they get through to the second they play LA or Vegas in the 2nd round assuming no great upset 8th place team knocking out the 1st place team in the Conference. If the Canucks make it to the 3rd round they than end up playing Dal, Col or Winn to get through to the final (those 3 teams currently lead the Central division and have the best odds at this point).

 

What makes this the worse Case Scenario is, Just to advance to the Conference final the Canucks would have to play the 2 best teams other then themselves in the in the western conference. 

 

The Facts, here are the Pt % of the top 5 other then the Canucks so you don't need to look them up in the western conference. Vegas = .691, LA .690, Dal .677, Winn .661 and Col .636.

 

Let me just show you one other thing that I noticed.

 

The Canucks have a very small chance of dropping to 7th place and yet if they where this would be their path instead. Currently the 7th place team Nash with a pt% of .576 would play Dal in the first round and if they beat them, Nash would then have to play Col or Win never seeing LA, Vegas or Canucks until the Conference Final. This is a far easier path then having to play Vega and LA then the top remaining team in the western division. That means if the Canucks dropped to 7th they would play Dals and then 1 of Col or Win and then what ever seed still remained in the Pacific LA, Vegas or other.

 

Just to show you that the Canucks have almost a zero chance at 7th place currently Nash and Ari currently hold the wild card positions (both central division teams) so either 1 of Cal, Sea, or Edm would have to come back to knock the Canucks out of the top 3 position in the pacific. However if they did do this yes the Canucks at this point would take the first wildcard 7th position. But as it currently stands Cal pt % is .500, Sea is .456 and Edm is .483. 

 

The Glimmer of Hope.

 

Canucks place 1st in the Pacific (which would essentially place them first in the Conference) The Canucks would then play the 2nd wild card position or the 8th team in the western conference  (currently Ari) and then the Winner of LA or Vegas.

 

Disclaimer there're is scenarios 3 as well. Ari Knocks out let's say Vegas and the Canucks beat LA and the Canucks Play Ari in the 2nd round. Less likely but sill a possibility.

 

Why is Playing Vegas and LA the worse case scenario other than having to play both teams?

 

The Canucks are not playoff hardened yet. As impressive as this season has been for them it is still the regular season and the playoffs all together is a different beast and the Canucks are currently staring down the hardest playoff schedule of all division leaders. 

 

As you all know, I have been hard on Coach Tocchet and will remain pointing out the flaws of this team and it's structure exactly because of what I have written here today. Tired can not be and excuse not being prepared to start games, Their PK being close to the bottom of the league their PP now faltering can not happen to a team that wants to succeed in the playoffs that is currently looking down a great possibility of having the hardest playoff schedule in the league. These flaws are just the recipe of a 1 and done team and I know that most Canuck fans do not want to see this happen.

 

Forever A Canucks Fan who one day wants to see a Canuck team bring home a Cup.

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry, you clearly put a lot of effort into this but I stopped about a paragraph in when it became clear this was about trying to cherry pick the easiest path through the playoffs. 

 

that loser mindset virtually guarantees a first round upset. 

 

bring on all comers. to be the best you gotta beat the best. 

[Tusk]

34 minutes ago, HKSR said:

There's no easy road to a Stanley Cup.  There's so much parity in the league now that every team is capable of winning a series as soon as they make the playoffs.  LUCK has a LOT more to do with results than anything else.  One bad injury, one bad bounce, and everything can unravel, even for the best of them.  Boston was the best example last year.

Boston failure----EPIC every time. To be honest I want to play them again in the final. This time we will be the dirty hitters and we got all kinds of callups from Abby to fill in for the misconducts and such

[Jess]

8 minutes ago, Elias Pettersson said:

 

Vegas is scared shitless of having to play us in the playoffs.  They know we can beat them.  Same when Colorado beat Tampa.  

 

Demko lives rent-free in their heads.

[Tusk]

2 minutes ago, tas said:

I'm sorry, you clearly put a lot of effort into this but I stopped about a paragraph in when it became clear this was about trying to cherry pick the easiest path through the playoffs. 

 

that loser mindset virtually guarantees a first round upset. 

 

bring on all comers. to be the best you gotta beat the best. 

2011 we learned our lessons. We will be the best. but we cant show all our cards, and we need to keep cycling players through the top two lines to not show all our stuff.

Second we need the big guys. And we got some. and the less Soucy has to play now the better he will be in the playoffs.

 

Third, we can cover for the injuries when a dirty filthy team like Boston plays so evil that the refs stop calling penalties. WE GOT THIS

[Tusk]

2 minutes ago, Tusk said:

2011 we learned our lessons. We will be the best. but we cant show all our cards, and we need to keep cycling players through the top two lines to not show all our stuff.

Second we need the big guys. And we got some. and the less Soucy has to play now the better he will be in the playoffs.

 

Third, we can cover for the injuries when a dirty filthy team like Boston plays so evil that the refs stop calling penalties. WE GOT THIS

Forth, Demmer's smile is even better than Tim Thomas.

[John.Tallhouse]

Making the Playoffs is in fact, best case scenario.

[Tocchet.A.Hockey.God]

15 minutes ago, tas said:

I'm sorry, you clearly put a lot of effort into this but I stopped about a paragraph in when it became clear this was about trying to cherry pick the easiest path through the playoffs. 

 

that loser mindset virtually guarantees a first round upset. 

 

bring on all comers. to be the best you gotta beat the best. 

 

37 minutes ago, CanuckFanForever said:

I always hate the exception arguments, what happen to Boston was the exception. Most times the team that is most rounded over all are the teams that win. Honestly I don't even Care if the have to go through Vegas, LA, Col and then Bos or NYR. I think they can do it if they just clean up a few aspects of their game. My hoping is on that Tocchet can get them to do it. If this team had hire an experienced Playoff hardened Coach I wouldn't be hoping I would believe they would. The team doesn't have playoff experience and Tocchet doesn't have Head Coach success in the playoffs. So I have to hope that Tocchet is some how the exception and I hate the exception arguments.

As you can see in a post prior to yours I don't care if they have to go through the best teams the reason are exactly what you mentioned I would love to see them beat the best of the best. I just don't know if they can with Tocchet at the Helm.

Edited December 23, 2023 by CanuckFanForever

[Tocchet.A.Hockey.God]

3 minutes ago, John.Tallhouse said:

Making the Playoffs is in fact, best case scenario.

Not winning a round or 2.

 

Are you seriously saying you be ok with them being 1 and done swept in the first round. Your best case scenario is just making the playoffs

[tas]

2 minutes ago, CanuckFanForever said:

 

As you can see in a post prior to yours I don't care if they have to go through the best teams the reason are exactly what you mentioned I would love to see them beat the best of the best. I just don't know if they can with Tocchet at the Helm.

so close to not having to block you, but unfortunately you're a king heffy after all. 

[Naslund]

Imo it doesn't matter who you play. To win it all you must beat the top teams and " slay the dragon"

[John.Tallhouse]

2 minutes ago, CanuckFanForever said:

Not winning a round or 2.

 

Are you seriously saying you be ok with them being 1 and done swept in the first round. Your best case scenario is just making the playoffs

I dunno man, it’s been a tough decade. I’ll be giddy as shit when they lock in that playoff spot.

[Tusk]

2 minutes ago, Naslund said:

Imo it doesn't matter who you play. To win it all you must beat the top teams and " slay the dragon"

What is amazing to think about.... every other team is thinking we are the DRAGON. They are so screwed.

[Tocchet.A.Hockey.God]

Just now, tas said:

so close to not having to block you, but unfortunately you're a king heffy after all. 

Nope not King Heffy.

 

I will give you a hint to who I am, I am 40 years old played two years for the Merrit Centennials. Then for the University of North Dakota.

 

I have also part time assistant coached for 4 BCHL teams in the last 12 years and turn down a job from the WHL because the team was in Alberta and they wanted me to coach full time as their assistant where I would have been in charge of the defense and PK. My specialty and what I'm known for coaching in the BCHL.

[Tocchet.A.Hockey.God]

3 minutes ago, John.Tallhouse said:

I dunno man, it’s been a tough decade. I’ll be giddy as shit when they lock in that playoff spot.

They could play .500 and do that at this stage.

 

[The Aquaman]

Just take it day by day, one day at a time. 
 

 

Control what we can.

[tas]

2 minutes ago, CanuckFanForever said:

Nope not King Heffy.

 

I will give you a hint to who I am, I am 40 years old played two years for the Merrit Centennials. Then for the University of North Dakota.

 

I have also part time assistant coached for 4 BCHL teams in the last 12 years and turn down a job from the WHL because the team was in Alberta and they wanted me to coach full time as their assistant where I would have been in charge of the defense and PK. My specialty and what I'm known for coaching in the BCHL.

I didn't say you were king heffy, I said you were a king heffy. 

 

also, in the future, I'd recommend keeping your embellished resume for job applications, because it doesn't move the needle for me. 

[Jester13]

Best case scenario is the team figures out over the course of the season how to consistently play 60 minutes of active stick, stingy defence hockey; and their high-powered offence, massive D (*snickers*), and elite goaltending tandem also continues to improve; and Allvin shores up the top six; and then they all roll into the postseason like rock stars and dictate play the whole time. 

 

When this team is ON they are contenders. They just need learn how to bring it every game.

[Tocchet.A.Hockey.God]

1 minute ago, tas said:

I didn't say you were king heffy, I said you were a king heffy. 

 

also, in the future, I'd recommend keeping your embellished resume for job applications, because it doesn't move the needle for me. 

It is not in the least bit embellished, I coach part time as my hobby because I have a real job running the family construction company. 

[Ghostsof1915]

9 minutes ago, John.Tallhouse said:

Making the Playoffs is in fact, best case scenario.

How people seem to forget. Last year under Bruce the team had 18 wins, 25 losses and 3 OT losses in 46 games

As of 22 Dec2023, the team has 22 Wins, 9 Losses, and 3 OT losses in 34 games.

We are not even a full year under the coach, and the team is playing far better.

Has the turnaround been amazing? You bet!

JR/PA and the coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for helping our players turn things around.

But to say that some of the top teams in the league are afraid of Vancouver?

No. Concerned and wary yes, as they should be.

 

I just want to make the playoffs, and win regardless who we play. The tougher the road, the more sweeter the wins.

[tas]

3 minutes ago, CanuckFanForever said:

It is not in the least bit embellished, I coach part time as my hobby because I have a real job running the family construction company. 

you missed the important part. 

[John.Tallhouse]

4 minutes ago, Ghostsof1915 said:

How people seem to forget. Last year under Bruce the team had 18 wins, 25 losses and 3 OT losses in 46 games

As of 22 Dec2023, the team has 22 Wins, 9 Losses, and 3 OT losses in 34 games.

We are not even a full year under the coach, and the team is playing far better.

Has the turnaround been amazing? You bet!

JR/PA and the coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for helping our players turn things around.

But to say that some of the top teams in the league are afraid of Vancouver?

No. Concerned and wary yes, as they should be.

 

I just want to make the playoffs, and win regardless who we play. The tougher the road, the more sweeter the wins.

Best case scenario 3 months ago :

a wildcard spot

 

 Best case scenario today:

Western conference finals/ Cup

 

look I’m a cup or bust guy myself but even losing in the first round is a huge W for this team especially if we can prove everyone wrong, come back next year and do it again. 

to quote the great Mike Gillis 

“it’s a process”

 

[tas]

9 minutes ago, CanuckFanForever said:

It is not in the least bit embellished, I coach part time as my hobby because I have a real job running the family construction company. 

p.s. how come you didn't make the cut for the merritt centennials alumni page? 

[Tocchet.A.Hockey.God]

2 minutes ago, tas said:

p.s. how come you didn't make the cut for the merritt centennials alumni page? 

How do you know I didn't

 

I keep my private life private for the most part. I even use my mothers maiden name in my email addresses and on my most public accounts. 

 

I don't care if people know me in my hockey life but for my family Business I keep it Private our family runs a developments and construction company and what I do on line and on social media need to stay separate from business life.

[EdgarM]

5 minutes ago, John.Tallhouse said:

Best case scenario 3 months ago :

a wildcard spot

 

 Best case scenario today:

Western conference finals/ Cup

 

look I’m a cup or bust guy myself but even losing in the first round is a huge W for this team especially if we can prove everyone wrong, come back next year and do it again. 

to quote the great Mike Gillis 

“it’s a process”

 

This is how I see it as well. We went from assessing the team last season to continue to assess and make the neccesary changes this year, we are by no means a finished product. 

Yes we have added key components and Alvin and JR should be commended for that, but I don't think they are where they want to be yet.

Getting this young core some real playoff games is just going to be the beginning and a much needed process for them to learn. 

I foresee us getting better and better for the next couple of years and our chances of winning a Cup getting better and better as we go. 

It is a Process and it does require Patience, we have waited this long , why not wait another season or two? 

[Miss Korea]

1 hour ago, Elias Pettersson said:

I'm pretty sure that LA does not want to play us in the 1st round either.  It works both ways.  Same with Vegas.  You think Vegas wants any piece of us in a 7 game series, especially now that we have Ivan Drago on defence?

I dont think the defending cup champions are going to be intimidated by anyone.  They're not going to lose to anyone due to fear factor.