The Vancouver Canucks have only won two of their last eight games games as they head down the stretch towards what really matters, the playoffs. So far the drive has been anything but inspiring and tonight was another example as they drop another game to the desperate Phoenix Coyotes by a score of 5-4.

PHOTO CREDIT - VancouverCanucks.com

Vancouver - March 16, 2012 - The Vancouver Canucks have only won two of their last eight games games as they head down the stretch towards what really matters, the playoffs. So far the drive has been anything but inspiring and tonight was another example as they drop another game to the desperate Phoenix Coyotes by a score of 5-4.

The game started out looking as if the Canucks came to play tonight and had their playoff swagger tuned up, but after taking an early 2 goal lead, it was the Coyotes who were the team that came to play, and play they did!

It was the two Canucks stalwarts of Burrows and Kesler that put the Canucks up 2-0 before midway through the first period, but after that is was all Desert Dog as the Canucks slowly wilted in their game, and by the time the final whistle blew, the Canucks one line offense proved to be no match for the Alpha Dogs of the desert.

The Canucks had one line humming last night and that was the AMEX line of Kesler, Higgins and Booth. Nobody else, especially the defense showed any interest of being on the ice tonight. Sure they were there, physically but that was about it. The Canucks have lost their ability to dominate their opponent in their own zone. The Sedins are for the most part no-shows, as once again they were unable to capitalize on their chances generated by their freakish puck handling and passing skills. All flash no dash.

On more than one occasion the Canucks rushed into the Coyotes zone with a good scoring opportunity, but after the initial rush the puck was turned over and it was the Coyotes entering the Canucks zone with numbers and were able to score. It’s frustrating to watch the Canucks be frustrated because that is exactly what is happening which only compounds the wheels coming off the wagon!

The Canucks outshot the Coyotes 43-33 but in the end it was goalie Mike Smith getting the last laugh as he once again bettered Luongo, stopping 39 of 43, as opposed to Luongo’s 28 of 33. Let the debate rage as to why Luongo continues to get the starts when it is Ginger Jesus with the sparkling W-L record. One would think that with the team struggling to put puck in the net, especially from the number one line, that Coach V would put the guy with the best chance of giving the Canucks the win between the pipes. But instead Coach V puts struggling Mason Raymond together with the struggling Sedins on the first line to basically give the team a one punch offense, and then hopes the Coyotes have an off game! Well the plan backfired.

If the Canucks can get the Sedins back on the same page as the AMEX line, and Coach V resigns himself to the fact that right now, Schneider is playing much better than Luongo and plays him between the pipes, then the Canucks have a great opportunity to roll into the playoffs on a proverbial roll. But until then, it’s almost as if he’s rolling the dice and hoping the team doesn’t crap out down the stretch. Until then, we are forced to wait, watch and wonder when the Canucks will start to swim as opposed to merely tread water in the fight to survive!