B.C. Cougars Vs. Vancouver Canucks

The defending Champion B.C. Cougars are back. And back in the 4th seed they were so successful in last year. However, this is a different group. Additions of players such as Sedin, Chara and Jovanovski make this an even more talented group and that has to be scary for the conference. Although it should be pointed out that the Cougars offence underachieved this year. Regardless, when the pieces are in place, the Cougars have star forwards such as Sedin, Gaborik and Gagne. Talented pieces around them such as Raymond, Gagner, Umberger, Afinogenov and Wolski. The blueline is terrific with Chara leading the way, a trio of solid vets in McCabe, Jovanovski and Stuart, as well as young talents Schenn and Hjalmarsson. Last, but certainly not least, Cam Ward is one of the league’s best goaltenders.

3 KEY FACTORS:

• Henrik Sedin’s health. The former Canuck is likely to start the series on the sidelines. The Cougars desperately need him back and fast.
• Can the Cougars 4th ranked defence shut down the Canucks 5th ranked offence? This is a great matchup on paper.
• 24th. That is the Cougars ranking on the power play. Absolutely awful considering the talent on the team. The PP waking up is essential.

It was a typical season in Canucks land. The team did not live up to the hype their immensely talented roster generated, they made countless trades (including a tantalizing swap involving the Cougars that saw Sedin and Pronger switch sides, among others) and they enter the post-season as a darkhorse. One problem though, they have historically struggled against the Cougars and now they have to face them in the playoffs. The Canucks talent rivals any team in the league. The center line with Kesler, Pavelski and Weiss is very solid. The team has 6 scoring wingers in Perry, Gionta, Burrows, Penner, Fleischmann and Hartnell. The defence is beyond stacked with Pronger and Green leading the way, as well as 5 other defenceman of quality in Hainsey, Wisniewski, Poti, Zanon and Beauchemin. In goal, the club can count on veteran Tomas Vokoun, a solid veteran who has disappointed at times.

3 KEY FACTORS:

• Can Vokoun match Ward’s exploits? This is a big test for a veteran who has always been close to the elite level.
• Chris Pronger. The veteran has been a disappointment for the Canucks. They need him to elevate BIG time in this series.
• Can the Canucks average PP have success against the Cougars stingy PK? There is no reason why the Canucks PP can’t be dominant. But it isn’t.

Prediction: The loss of Sedin for a few games hurts, but the Cougars play better defensive hockey and have the better goalie. Cougars in 6.