Its true, theses are the two teams I like, Canucks #1 obviously, but I have also been a Leafs fan for many years. People do not know how this can be possible, the Leafs????. But the Canucks and Leafs are awesome Canadian teams, and I admit I’m a proud Chinese Canadian Canucks and Leafs fan.
Well we are only 3 – 4 games in to the season, and as expected, the Canucks have been kind of underachieving in the scoring area, and the Leafs have performed well, as I expected. ( No one gives the Leafs a chance after there previous dismal years.)
So the Canucks look great on paper, with a stacked defensive corps, gritty third and fourth lines, and two good scoring lines. Its just that, the goals have not come, and again we are only average so far this year. The shots on our goalie have been ridiculous, and seems like the defensive unit could use a little work. They may be missing the likes of Burrows and Salo, but I would be expecting more from this team, especially against a Ducks team that was 0-3. Luongo has played great, and without the captaincy, his play will improve. We just require some scoring other then the Sedins, because this team has all the weapons to be a contender, but I guess some of the players just need to gel before we hit the next gear.
With the Brian Burke era in his second season with the Leafs, he has finally got rid of all the useless players, and created a great team. There’s Gigueure between the pipes (he just needed a change of scenery), and a pretty good defensive corps. I may not like Phaneuf, but him teaming up with Kaberle is a WOW. The forwards are nothing special, and Burke gave up a first rounder, like Seguin to Boston for Kessel, but they can work together, and create chances, and best of all, get goals and the win. I expect them to make the playoffs this year because they have a team that will float under the radar. They will grind it out, score goals, and have a good back line to stop other offenses from scoring.
As for the Canucks, they will actually start playing hockey come November, and that will be the team to beat in the Northwest.