[GDT] Vancouver Canucks vs San Jose Sharks, Nov 2 7:30 PDT, SAP Center ...

[PhillipBlunt]

This team won’t take the Sharts lightly. In fact, no one should take a shart lightly especially when it leaks through. 

Edited November 2, 2023 by PhillipBlunt

[Goal_thecup]

9 minutes ago, PhillipBlunt said:

This team won’t take the Sharts lightly. In fact, no one should take a shart lightly especially when it leaks through. 

[spook007]

10 hours ago, Rocket-68 said:

A Random Hockey Story

Continuing the ten greatest years in NHL history

6. 1971

Phil Esposito may have put up ridiculous numbers during the 1971 calendar year, but it also marked the dawn of the Ken Dryden era. Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images

 

Remember that "Dawn of the Dead" remake, which might still stand as the only truly good movie Zack Snyder has directed? The remake has its virtues, but couldn't quite top the gory glory of the George Romero original.

 

This is, in essence, why 1971 was ranked ahead of 1986.

 

Like Gretzky's points explosion in 1985-86, the 1970-71 season saw one of the single greatest offensive seasons up to that point in NHL history: Phil Esposito's 76 goals for the Boston Bruins, which is tied for the fifth-highest total ever for a single season. But within context, it's even greater: Before Espo's 76 goals, the highest total was Bobby Hull's 58 goals in 1968-69. So this was unprecedented.

 

Esposito was simply dominant throughout the 1971 calendar year, scoring a league-best 72 goals and 146 points. The only player who had more assists than his 74 in that span was teammate Bobby Orr, with 96. Esposito had the most power-play goals (25), power-play points (52) and game-winning goals (18) that year as well. The Bruins finished the season with 399 goals, most in a season at that time.

 

It was a remarkable year for the Hall of Famer, but ultimately a disappointing one, as Montreal stunned the Bruins in seven games during the quarterfinal of the 1971 Stanley Cup playoffs, a series that included the classic Game 2 that saw Montreal rally from a 5-2 deficit with five goals in the third period.

 

And while Patrick Roy's run to the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe was great, you still can't top the original: Ken Dryden, having played six regular-season games in his career, played 20 in the 1971 playoffs and won the postseason MVP for Montreal after a Game 7 Stanley Cup win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

5. 1980

Due in part to Team USA's legendary Olympic triumph, there was no way 1980 was going to be kept off of this list. Steve Powell/Getty Images

 

It would take a miracle for the Miracle to not make this list.

 

The U.S. men's hockey team upsetting the heavily favored Soviet team and then winning gold against Finland in Lake Placid wasn't just one of the most memorable events in hockey history, but in sports history. Sure, some of its aftereffects and influence may have been exaggerated through the years -- did the Miracle on Ice or Wayne Gretzky have more to do with the growth of hockey in the U.S.? -- but there's no getting around the idea that it's the single most epic moment in international hockey history, with apologies to the Canada vs. Russia battles in the 1970s.

 

The enormity of that event obviously fuels 1980 as one of the greatest hockey years, but let's not sleep on the NHL's momentous year. In 1979-80, there was another round of expansion, as the WHA's Edmonton Oilers, New England "soon to be Hartford" Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets joined the fray. Because of that, there was a change in the playoff format, as it was expanded to 16 teams for the first time and without regard for conferences and divisions; hence, the top-seeded Flyers faced the No. 16 Oilers in the first round. It was nutty.

 

(Those Oilers had a 19-year-old player named Gretzky, who won his first Hart Trophy in 1980. He would win eight more.)

 

But in the end, history was made: The New York Islanders won their first of four straight Stanley Cups, defeating the Flyers in overtime in Game 6 on a Bobby Nystrom goal.

In the process, Ken Morrow became the first player in hockey history to win Olympic gold and a Stanley Cup in the same year. Yeah, 1980 was good to him.

4. 2006

The 2005-06 season saw the dawn of the Sidney Crosby-Alex Ovechkin rivalry. Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

 

There will never be another season like 2005-06 in the NHL. And by that, we're of course referencing our undying hope that the owners never cancel another full season, even if doing so led to a slew of rules changes and the league basically pounding the "reset" button to get rid of the malaise of the trap years.

 

The 2005-06 season brought us many new rules, from the legalization of two-line passes to the death of tie games via the shootout to the crackdown on obstruction that led to the highest goals-per-game average in the NHL (3.08) in a decade. It brought us the dueling rookie seasons of Sidney Crosby and Alex OVechkin; Joe Thorton getting traded from the Bruins to the Sharks and then edging Jaromir Jagr for the scoring title and the Hart Trophy, while fueling one of the most inexplicable goal-scoring seasons in NHL history -- Jonathan Cheechoo leading the league with 56 goals.

 

It also brought us a wild postseason, including the Cinderella run by the No. 8 seed Oilers through the Western Conference and two epic seven-game series. The Carolina Hurricanes and the Buffalo Sabres faced off in the Eastern Conference finals, and then the Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup over the Oilers thanks to rookie goalie and Conn Smythe winner Cam Ward.

 

The unpredictability of 2006 spilled over to the Olympics, with Canada and the U.S. being eliminated in the quarterfinals and Sweden topping Finland for the gold. The Swedish team faced allegations of throwing its game against Slovakia in the preliminary round in order to draw the Swiss in the quarterfinals.

In the women's Olympic tournament, Canada claimed gold with a win over Sweden, who handed the Americans their first loss in international competition to a team other than Canada.

 

************Now for the Game Day Thread**********

 

Overview

San Jose is looking to stop their nine-game skid this game taking on the high-flying Canucks who are firing on all 8 cylinders although bad gas must be in the tank as they seem to sputter a bit now and then. With Elias "da Alien" Pettersson picking up a hat trick and Quinn Hughes padding his stats with 3 apples in the game versus the Preds, Tocchet the Rocket still wasn't enamored with the teams play despite the 5-2 win.

Quote of the day:

"That's not our brand of hockey. We were pretty loose. Too many turnovers. It wasn't a great game for us identity-wise," Tocchet said. "We got to be careful we don't get fat and happy around here."

 

Coach Tocchet was even pissed during the game as he had JT manning the bench door for the last 5 or 6 minutes of the second period to have a think about the brain farts that crept into his game. However, all was forgiven when the third came along and JT rotated back into the game. Expect the Canucks to be more focused against the Sharks which bodes well for a road W.

 

The Sharks are still looking for their first victory lounging at the very bottom of the league standings. With a sparkling 3 goals scored during their recent 5-game road trip and a total of 9 goals in 9 games, the Sharks should be spanked by the Canucks which is exactly why the Canucks cannot take them for granted. The Sharks will wake up at some point and play like they at least belong in the AHL and if the Canucks mail it in, this might be the game where the Sharks surprise the Canucks.

 

The Sharks are without captain Logan Couture all season *ouch* and vet Alex Barabanov is out with a broken finder. The Sharks blue line is missing Matt Benning and Nikita Okhotiuk is expected to draw in with his first game of the season but won't be moving the defensive needle all the way over to replacing Matt Benning. 

 

The Sharks should be easy pickings for the Canucks, but still, the game needs to be played to be sure.

 

By the Numbers

• Tonight marks the first of four meetings between the Canucks and Sharks this season: Nov. 2 (road), Nov. 20 (home), Nov. 25 (road), Dec. 23 (home).
• Vancouver is 65-55-9-7 all-time against San Jose, including a 35-29-5-2 record on the road.
• The Canucks are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games against the Sharks (5-0-0 in their last five).
• Among active skaters, J.T. Miller (7-13-20 19 GP) leads the team in career scoring vs San Jose.Casey DeSmith posted a 3.45 GAA and .898 SV% in five career games (2-3-0) against the Sharks.
• In eight career games (8-0-0), Thatcher Demko has a 2.24 GAA and .923 SV% all time against San Jose.

 

• Elias Pettersson has 16 points (5-11-16) in his last nine games, ranking him 2nd in the league for points.
• Brock Boeser has posted 10 points (6-4-10) in his last nine games.
• J.T. Miller has 13 points (5-8-13) in his last nine games and is currently on a three-game point streak (3-2-5).
• Quinn Hughes has 11 points (3-8-11) in his last nine games.
• Thatcher Demko posted a .935 SV% and has a 1.92 GAA in his last six games (4-2-0).

 

 

 

Media

You know the drill, GO BUY A TICKET AND throw random objects at the opposing team - just kidding, no violence please, just your best one-liners hurled at the Ranger bench, and the zebras as needed. Otherwise go to your local watering hole and support your team and swill some beer.

 

TV: Sportnet Pacific, NBC Sports California

Radio: SportsNet 650

Streaming: lots on various Reddit threads 

 

Matchup Info

Source: https://www.dimers.com/bet-hub/nhl/schedule/2023_24_sj_van  ... lots of fun stuff on this site if betting / gambling is your thing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure why Matt Benning is listed as he is on the Injured Reserve

 

 

 

Da Zebras

 

 

 

Player Spotlight

 

HISTORIC PETEY

• Elias Pettersson was named October’s NHL second star of the month after recording 16 points (5-11-16) through his first nine games of the season. Pettersson (16) currently ranks 2nd for most points in the 2023.24 season, trailing only Jack Hughes (18).
• On October. 31/23 vs NSH, Pettersson (3-0-3) recorded his second career hat trick. His three-point game ranks him t-3rd for most points through the first nine games of a season in franchise history (16). Tony Tanti (19, 1983.84) and Patrik Sundström (17, 1983.84) top the list.
• Pettersson is the first player in Canucks history to record 15 or more points before his 10th game of a season multiple times (15 in 2018.19).
• Pettersson (23) passed Trevor Linden (22) for third all-time amongst Canucks players for most career multi-goal games prior to age 25. He trails Pavel Bure (40) and Tony Tanti (37).
• After collecting two assists on Oct. 27/23 vs STL, Pettersson matched the Canucks franchise record for fewest games into a season needed for a player to reach 10 assists (7 games). Other notable players who accomplished the same feat are Thomas Gradin (1980.81), Jiri Bubla (1983.84) and Paul Reinhart (1989.90).
• With his two-point game (1-1-2) on Oct. 21/23 at FLA, Pettersson now ranks t-3rd (52) all-time amongst Canuck centres with most career games with at least one goal and one assist. He trails Thomas Gradin (60) and Henrik Sedin (91).

 

CAPTAIN QUINN

• After posting three assists on Oct. 31/23 vs NSH, Quinn Hughes (19) ranks third in Canucks franchise history for most career regular season or playoff 3+ assist efforts. He trails only Henrik (38) and Daniel Sedin (20). Hughes (60) also ranks third in Canucks franchise history for most multi-point performances by a defenceman, only Alexander Edler (68) and Jyrki Lumme (67) are ahead of him.
• On Oct. 31/23 vs NSH, Hughes reached 250 career points in 292 career games ranking him t-5th for the fewest games from the start of a players NHL career to reach this milestone in a Canucks uniform. Other notable names include Pavel Bure (207) and Elias Pettersson (270).
• Hughes (3-8-11) currently ranks t-1st for most points by a defenseman in the 2023.24 season.
• Hughes currently leads all defenceman in assists since the 2019.20 regular season (220).

 

BROCKTOBER

• Brock Boeser currently ranks t-9th in the league for most goals scored in the 2023.24 regular season.
• With his sixth goal of the season, registered on Oct. 21/23, Boeser currently ranks third all-time amongst Canucks skaters for most goals through the first five games of a season. Tony Tanti (7 goals, 1983.84) and Alexander Mogliny (7 goals, 1995.96) are tied for first.
• Boeser recorded a new career high with four goals on the season opener, Oct. 11/23 vs EDM, marking his third career hat trick. His four goals made him the 10th player in NHL history, including two other Canucks (Rick Blight and Greg Adams) to score four goals in a season opening game. Boeser also led the team with shots (8) in the Canucks season opener and became the second player in Canucks history to score four goals against the Oilers.

HATS OFF

• With Elias Pettersson’s hat trick on Oct. 31/23 and Brock Boesers 4 goal outing on Oct. 11/23 vs EDM, the Vancouver Canucks became the first team this season to have multiple players score a hat trick.

MILLER THE MAGNIFICENT

• J.T. Miller (1-2-3) recorded his sixth three-point period with the Canucks on Oct. 27/23 vs STL. With this feat he tied Henrik Sedin for the fourth most in Canucks history behind Pavel Bure (8), Trevor Linden (8) and Markus Naslund (7).

GO SHORTY

• After posting his fifth SHG of his career on Oct. 28/23 vs NYR, Tyler Myers now ranks t-2nd for most SHG among active defensemen, trailing only Mark Giordano (13). This marked his third SHG with the Canucks ranking him t-3rd for most SHG by a Vancouver defenseman in franchise history. Jyrki Lumme (6) and Mattias Ohlund (5) top the list.

Now for some fun stuff

Bieksa 2OT Series Winner

 

Kevin vs Patrick Fight - a bit of a mismatch but have to give Marleau full marks for answering the bell and taking on a much tougher opponent.

 

Sharks 'Nucks Brawl in 1992 ... even Pavel got into it

 

Great write up Rocket.... might wanna change it to "the sharks bench" in the media section (I think  )

 

Thanks for doing the GDT...  

Edited November 2, 2023 by spook007

[Outsiders]

Just find a way to get two points. Big game

[PhillipBlunt]

3 minutes ago, Goal_thecup said:

[Goal_thecup]

Quite the road trip eh?

What are the logistics?

Do we even overnight in the ESA (Excited States of America)?

[Rip The Mesh]

     0 -  8   -   1  -  

[steviewonder20]

9 hours ago, Coconuts said:

Should be a pretty easy win but we have a history of playing down to the level of lesser teams, guess we'll see

 

For funsies let's just say Pettersson gets back to back hatties 

Historically, we play worse against crappy teams. However, this years’ team has a different attitude. On any given night, any team can win or lose, so I’m hoping they don’t take the Sharks for granted and instead, pulverize them. Good opportunity to get the power play back on track and reduce our own penalties.

[Rekker]

Sounds odd to say this game is a big test, crap opponent. But always tough to win in the Shark tank and lets see if this team can avoid playing down to opponents like previous teams. Game day!!

[Strawbone]

Huge game! I'm not gonna say losing this one would undo all the good work this team has done over the first 9 games of the season... but it would sow some doubt and negativity that we don't need. GCG!

[Blitz-Pix]

1 hour ago, Goal_thecup said:

I think we might start Demko tonight; head-to-head w/Blackwood where we answer every great save with one of own and don't let this "should-be-a-win" game get away from us.

We've been on sort of a Demko 2 games, DeSmith 1 game rotation so far, so it would fit that too.

 

Demko has to start tonight...need to keep "Mr. Saterday night" Desmith rested for Hockey night in Canada. LOL

[MattJVD]

This Sharks team is absolute garbage, should be no sweat as long as the Canucks don't take them lightly. Approach it as you would any other game and play with structure, should be an opportunity to keep adding points. 

 

Got to be total rebuild mode for the Sharks, do they consider Ferraro part of the next core?

[Bob Long]

I know with parity any team can win on any given night, and the Sharts are also due for a win.

 

But this is a game we need to take. These "easy" points will matter a ton in March. 

[Ribs]

[Bob Long]

18 minutes ago, Rekker said:

Sounds odd to say this game is a big test, crap opponent. But always tough to win in the Shark tank and lets see if this team can avoid playing down to opponents like previous teams. Game day!!

 

I agree, it is a test. The better teams tend to not lose these opportunities to build up points. 

[Pears]

Anyone else questioning why this is a road game sandwiched between five home games? Like why not make it six home games before our eastern swing lol. 

[Sativika]

9 hours ago, Rick_theRyper said:

These games worry me, a team we should beat. Biggest game of the season so far let's go! Don't let off the gas. Go for the kill.

 

8 hours ago, Coconuts said:

Should be a pretty easy win but we have a history of playing down to the level of lesser teams, guess we'll see

 

For funsies let's just say Pettersson gets back to back hatties 

 

Funny how this scenario of losing to lesser teams is not just a Canuck thing. Yea. We should win in San Jose, but?!??!!?!??!?!!?????

We've also had issues of losing first games upon returning from a long road trip. Perhaps the spanking we gave the St. Louis Blues a week ago after a return from a road trip bucks the trend. Fingers crossed for our Canucks regarding both scenarios!

4 hours ago, PeteyBoeser said:

Their goalie loves playing us… we can’t beat him 

 

We're talking' Blackwood???!?!??!?!

 

4 hours ago, DelPiLeo said:

No game is easy to win, take the opponent lightly is always a dangerous thing to do.  
 

Get the 2 points tonight 

 

Go Canucks Go !

 Yep! Let's go.

[Smashian Kassian]

The only way this could be more of a trap game is if they play some no name 4th string goalie, then we're really screwed.

 

Gotta play hard & get the 2 points here.

 

 

Edited November 2, 2023 by Smashian Kassian

[Mando27]

Miller's going to have a big game tonight calling it now.

[Pears]

1 minute ago, Smashian Kassian said:

The only way this could be more of a trap game is if they play some no name 4th string goalie.

 

Gotta play hard & get the 2 points here.

Or they start the guy who plays like the second coming of Dominik Hasek whenever he goes against us 

[EdgarM]

I agree with many of you, letting up on teams like this has been our identity for decades. Once we got out of Linden's era and went into the more skilled Nazzy and Sedin eras, we felt that we didn't need to put in a lot of effort for games like these.

RT is old school "Linden era" work ethic, we should be able to see the difference.

I see a little of the old habits from time to time but for the most part, those changes are there and we just need to see the consistency now.

This is a big game though to see just how much we have learned and just how much character is in that dressing room now. I think we will do OK.

 

[Mrwipeout]

my god ive been busy with work and can finally watch a game again.....sharks? rebuild mode....we should win this but i dont think is gonna be easy. with luck sharks wont have any fighting spirit left....they suck but they can put up a fight and get frustrated. Heres to hopin we show up ready and dont relax or we will risk injuries instantly....

 

BUT....i expect a huge win tonight....nux win 6-0

[Hairy Kneel]

I still remember those two 5-3 's in the playoffs a few years ago. I think it was 7 min 5-3? Both of them.

Never take anyone lightly. 

 

[Rekker]

Stupid 730 start. Looks like a pregame nap for me. Lol.

[Captain Hughes]

4-2 nucks. I score the winner