This weekend was very exciting in Hockeyland. First, the Nashville Predators MADE HISTORY! The team has never gotten past the first round of the playoffs, they’ve never won more than two games in the first round, and they’ve never won a game 5.

All that changed in two games this weekend.

They WON game five on Friday, they WON game six on Sunday, and they advanced to the second round of the playoffs. HOLY SHIT. I’m ecstatic. Sunday’s game nearly gave me a heart attack, and all my screaming scared my cat. GO PREDS!

(Also: I would like to point out that the Predators’ captain, Shea Weber, has the greatest playoff beard ever—in fact, my very observant boyfriend noticed this. HAHA!)

MOVING ON. The Canucks might be in trouble. Game seven against the Blackhawks is tonight, and they’ve blown the 3-0 lead they had on the series by losing the last three games. Because Luongo’s performance has been… not good, the Canucks started Sunday’s game with Cory Schneider, a goalie who’s never started a playoff game. He was going okay—the Canucks were up 3-2 at the start of the third period. Then what happened? The Hawks’ Michael Frolik was awarded a penalty shot early in the third period and Schneider not only allowed the tying goal, but he got hurt in the process.

Luongo returned to the ice and the Canucks lost 3-4 in overtime. Whoops.

As for the rest of the playoffs: The Capitals have defeated the Rangers; the San Jose Sharks won last night in overtime, ELIMINATING the LA Kings; the Tampa Bay Lightning also won last night, bringing their series against the Penguins to 3-3; and tonight either the Flyers or the Sabres will be eliminated.

Back to the Canucks, though. They’ve had two days off, giving them some time to get their poop together. And Luongo will be starting. What will happen? A lot of people speculate the Canucks will choke. But people thought the Predators would too, and THEY WON. Anything can happen! Let’s take a poll!

Megan Seling is The Stranger's managing editor. She mostly writes about hockey, snacks, and music. And sometimes her dog, Johnny Waffles.

17 replies on “The Predators Made History! The Canucks Might Choke Again! Hockey Is Crazy!”

  2. I had so much hope this spring: one week of sunshine, the federal election and Canucks obliterating the ‘Hawks. This morning I dreamt Michael Ignatieff was moonlighting at 7-11. I told everyone I knew, until Iggy popped up behind someone I had just told and asked me to keep my mouth shut. I think I’m in for disappointment.

    And why does “Cancuks” show up three times? Can’t you just type “Canucks” and copy’n’paste it?

  3. Vancouver’s coach gave Luongo a huge vote of no confidence the other day, when he should have just started him again. The worst that could have happened was another loss, one not likely to have been such a blowout at games 4 and 5; now, in addition to that, they’re panic is apparent for the whole world to see.

    If Luongo manages not only a win, but delivers the kind of shutdown that he’s more than capable of bringing (see: 2010 Olympics), he’ll salvage his reputation, get his confidence back, and make Vancouver the favorites again. If not, he’s forever going to be known as a postseason choker.

  4. @2 Yes, every time I write anything, it is just a series of copy and pasted words so I never misspell anything ever.

    Not really, I’m lying.

    I fixed them all except the one in the poll, which has to stay like that forever, because if I change it now it will lose the votes that exist.

    OOPS!

  5. On second thought, I think the Canucks’ coaching goof is an indication that they’re still not ready for the big time. Detroit is my pick for the Western Conference; I’ll need to see how the next round goes before I decide who’s going to win the East and if the Wings are can beat them this year.

  7. Okay Megan, GO PREDATORS!

    Go next year DUCKS! It’s not like you haven’t already won The Stanley Cup! dig, dig

    Although I must admit to really liking underdog teams the best!

  8. I dream of taking high speed rail to Rogers Arena to watch the Canucks, and then to the Rose Garden to see the Trailblazers the next day and then to Qwest and Safeco the next day for an all PNW Sport 4-fer.

  10. @9 Well, to be fair, I’m not really a sportswriter. I write about music and pie and cake. BUT! I will remember the rule next time! Maybe there’s a future for me yet.

  13. *yawn* fuck the Canucks. They’ve proven year after year that they can’t get it done. Enjoy your riots.

    Get ’em hawks!

  14. I hope to GOD the Canucks pull this out. Chicago coming back from a 3-0 hole will just kill me.

    Also, despite being a Wings fan, I’m happy for the Predators. They’ve got a good program and a good future, and I hate the Ducks more.

    Also, go Wings.

  15. I’m also definitely happy the Preds beat the Ducks. I remember when the Ducks used to be a fun team to watch that was more about skill than goonery. Now they’re basically the Flyers West.

  16. @10 you do as well as most of the UW Daily sports crew.

    Also, pointwise, the Sounders are third in the west, for footie fans.

Comments are closed.