Ok. Here we go. The Vancouver Canucks have officially clinched a playoff spot, and as is tradition in hockey markets amongst players and fans alike, its time to grow a playoff beard.
A playoff beard is a beard that you start growing at the start of the playoffs and don't shave until your team is eliminated or, ultimately, raises the Stanley Cup. The longer your scruff, the longer your team has survived in the playoffs. Call it superstition or call it support, or, nowadays, call it a fashion statement, it has been a Canadian tradition for many, many years.
A clinchbeard is basically the same thing, except you shave and start growing your beard when your team clinches a playoff spot. In the Canucks case, that was last night when the lowly Oilers surprised the LA Kings with a regulation win. The Kings, even if they win out
A different take on Vancouver sports
Wednesday 8 April 2015
Oilers Play Spoilers and Canucks Clinch From Couch
Canucks Nation was abuzz all day Tuesday after a huge Canucks come from behind shootout win over the reeling LA Kings. The win put the Canucks firmly in control of their own destiny and, even though they picked up a loser point, put the Kings in a spot of trouble.
However, the season wasn't over yet and the Canucks hadn't officially clinched, after all. They could clinch with another win on Thursday versus the lowly Arizona Coyotes. Or, with a little help from the out-of-town scoreboard, they could clinch beforehand. There were multiple scenarios that would put them in. The least likely was the Spoilers, err.. Oilers beating the Kings in regulation.
Canucks followers, myself included, basically ignored that possibility. The Los Angeles Kings had only lost in regulation ONCE in the last 27 games against the Oilers. The Oilers are having a terrible season even by their standards. The Kings thumped the Oilers 8-2 in their last meeting. You could basically chalk up 2 points
However, the season wasn't over yet and the Canucks hadn't officially clinched, after all. They could clinch with another win on Thursday versus the lowly Arizona Coyotes. Or, with a little help from the out-of-town scoreboard, they could clinch beforehand. There were multiple scenarios that would put them in. The least likely was the Spoilers, err.. Oilers beating the Kings in regulation.
Canucks followers, myself included, basically ignored that possibility. The Los Angeles Kings had only lost in regulation ONCE in the last 27 games against the Oilers. The Oilers are having a terrible season even by their standards. The Kings thumped the Oilers 8-2 in their last meeting. You could basically chalk up 2 points
Friday 3 April 2015
The Canucks Playoff Chase As it Stands on Good Friday
The Canucks appear to be in good shape to get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year after missing last year. With 4 games to go in the regular season, the Canucks hold down 2nd place in the Pacific Division and sit 4 points up on 3rd place Calgary and 5 points clear of the 4th place Los Angeles Kings. However, last night's regulation loss to the Blackhawks couples with LA's win over Edmonton, makes things even more tricky for the Canucks.
The Canucks currently hold the 1st tie-breaker (ROWs) on both Calgary and LA.
The remaining schedule for Vancouver looks like this:
@Nashville (WIN 5-4 in shootout)
@Chicago (LOSS 3-1)
@Winnipeg
Los Angeles
Arizona
Edmonton
Compared to Calgary and LA, the Canucks have the toughest remaining schedule
The Canucks currently hold the 1st tie-breaker (ROWs) on both Calgary and LA.
The remaining schedule for Vancouver looks like this:
@Nashville (WIN 5-4 in shootout)
@Chicago (LOSS 3-1)
@Winnipeg
Los Angeles
Arizona
Edmonton
Compared to Calgary and LA, the Canucks have the toughest remaining schedule
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