Desert Bound

Preview of the Canucks in the Desert and Hurricanes pull off a big deal. Let's roll...

Walking Wounded

The Canucks continue on their longest road trip of the season heading to Phoenix to face the Coyotoes tomorrow. Fresh off a hard-fought win in Colorado, the Canucks are looking to catch up to the streaking Flames who sit atop the Northwest Division. The Coyotes have been overacheiving all year and their 26-24-3 record does not reflect the talent on the team. Head Coach Wayne Gretzky has his team working hard and squeezing ever last drop of potential from his team. Another reason for the success of the Coyotes has been the play of Curtis Joseph. The aging backstop is having a solid season in net and is 5-1-1 heading into tomorrow's game. Keys for the Canucks will be to jump on the scoresheet early. The Coyotes are a team that struggle to score goals and win when they get ahead early and sit on the lead. The injury bug has hit the Canucks real hard heading into the Olympic break. Dan Cloutier is a write-off for the season with a torn ACL, Marcus Naslund is out indefinitely with the hip-flexor, Ed Jovanovski is out for at least 2 weeks getting abdominal surgery, Matt Cooke is still nursing that sprained ankle, and Richard Park mind as well be gone for the season. Good news is that the replacements are playing well. There is still enough skill in the lineup to win games, especially against teams like the Coyotes. Canucks should win this one 3-1.
*Photo from Yahoo!Sports

Canes Mean Business

The Carolina Hurricanes made a big push today to bolster their lineup as they head into the stretch run of the NHL season by picking up Doug Weight today. The Hurricanes essentially went the "Rent-a-player" route picking up Weight for a number of first round draft picks. Weight is earning roughly $5+ Million and his contract is up at the end of the season. Still, with Weight, the Hurricanes are looking to contend with the likes of Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay for Eastern Conference Supremacy. One has to wonder if the Canucks could have had a chance to pick up Doug Weight. This deal could be a catalyst for more for player movement before the Olympic roster freeze, we'll see if Dave Nonis makes a move given the grave injury situation the Canucks are in.
*Photo from Yahoo!Sports


What's on TV
NHL, Vancouver vs Phoenix, 6:00pm PST on Sportsnet Pacific
NHL, Toronto vs Tampa Bay, 4:30pm PST on TSN
NBA, Phoenix vs Philadelphia, 4:00pm PST on the Score
NBA, Denver vs Sacramento, 7:00pm PST on Sportsnet West

Picks of The Day
Detroit Pistons -5 over NJ Nets
Carolina Hurricanes -130 over Montreal Canadiens
Record YTD (32-37, -1373)