The Vancouver Canucks are hoping to keep a certain streak alive this spring.
Once a decade, the Canucks go on an improbably playoff run and make it to the Stanley Cup Final. OK, the streak only dates back to the 1980s, but it's a streak nonetheless.
In 1982, the Canucks authored one of the most memorable Cinderella tales in playoff history. It went something like this: With just five games left in the regular season, Vancouver fired coach Harry Neale and replaced him with Roger Neilson. The Canucks went unbeaten in the final five regular season contents, and then won 12 of their first 14 post-season games to reach the Stanley Cup Final. But the clock eventually struck midnight – Vancouver bowed out to a powerful New York Islanders team in four games. Still, it was a wild ride. Neilson and goalie Richard Brodeur are legends in Vancouver as a result.
Fast-forward 12 years. In 1994, with Pat Quinn behind the bench, the Canucks overcame a disappointing regular season to make it to the Cup Final. In fact, they made it all the way to Game 7 against the New York Rangers. And they might have won the whole damn thing if not for a Martin Gelinas shot off the post and a Nathan Lafayette shot that hit the crossbar.
Now, in the last year of the century's first decade, the Canucks are poised to make another deep post-season run – although we can clearly see this one coming.
Unlike their previous trips to the Final, the Canucks will prevail this time. That's right, you read it here first. The Vancouver Canucks are Top Shelf's pick to win the Stanley Cup, thus ending a 16-year drought for Canadian teams.
The Canucks, who are battling Calgary for the Northwest Division title, are well positioned to win a seven-game series. That's because they possess the world's best netminder. No other team in the Western Conference can even come close to matching Vancouver's goaltending. And, as the saying goes, the three most important factors in playoff success are goaltending, goaltending, and goaltending.
Roberto Luongo, who just turned 30, is playing perhaps the best hockey of his career as the second season approaches. Had a groin injury not sidelined him for two months, Luongo would be a serious candidate for the Vezina Trophy. The Canucks are a completely different team with Luongo in goal – and his absence earlier this season proved it. With Luongo between the pipes, Vancouver is 30-17-13; without him they're just 12-14-3.
Goaltending is one reason to like the Canucks, but it certainly isn't the only one. The Canucks have demonstrated remarkable resiliency this season – a trait that will serve them well in the post-season.
Shortly after Mats Sundin came aboard in January, the Canucks endured an eight-game winless streak. Other teams might have fallen off the edge, the coach would have been fired, and their season essentially ruined. Vancouver, instead, came out of the streak a stronger team, winning 10 of their next 12 games. Since the winless streak, the Canucks have been gone on an epic run, catching the Calgary Flames for the division lead – something that seemed impossible not long ago.
Vancouver isn't even the considered a top favourite to win the Stanley Cup. That distinction belongs to the likes of San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. These clubs are 100-point juggernauts. However, 100 points in the regular season buys you nothing in the playoffs.
Vancouver, with Luongo in goal, will be hoisting the Stanley Cup in two short months.
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