NHL: Canucks Face Nervous Game 7 Against Blackhawks

The Vancouver Canucks led 3-0 but saw that lead pared back to 3-1, then 3-2, before the Blackhawks tied the series at 3-3. Now with a crucial Game 7 in Vancouver tonight, Al Dannity wonders if the Canucks can finally close the deal at the fourth time of asking.

Momentum means something but not everything
Comebacks in sports are strange beasts. Once a team gets into that mental zone where it can tear into an opponent’s seemingly insurmountable lead, they can go a long way. Sometimes the effort falls just short, others prove successful and a miraculous victory is snatched. One factor that seems to affect all comeback bids however is pace. When a team is farthest behind, be it 3-0 in a series or just 3-0 in a game, they can eat into those first chunks at speed. As the get nearer their opponent however it gets harder.

The Blackhawks took their first two victories with savage routs, winning 7-2 and 5-0. Tieing the series took that extra bit of effort. Overtime was needed for Chicago to edge Vancouver 4-3 in Game 6. Now in Game 7, they still have the mental edge momentum gives but the Blackhawks have not swung the tide so much as to look unstoppable.

Luongo returns
Roberto Luongo is set to return to Vancouver’s starting line-up tonight. The veteran goaltender was pulled for Cory Schneider in Game 4 and Game 5 before being benched in Game 6. NHL betting fans saw Luongo redeem himself somewhat in relief of Schneider, who left the game injured, making 12 saves before conceding the decisive goal in overtime. Schneider is available for tonight’s match-up but Alain Vigneault has opted to start Luongo, whose only previous appearance in a Game 7 came in the Canucks’ 4-1 win over the Stars in 2007.

In other action
It’s a busy evening in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers and Sabres face each other in Game 7 in Philadelphia. Buffalo looked in control for much of Game 6 but Ville Leino’s goal in overtime ensured this series would go the full distance.

In Montreal, the Canadiens are looking to avoid an epic collapse against the Bruins. The Habs won the first two games in Boston but have lost three straight to fall 3-2 behind in the series. Now with their season on the line, the Canadiens must win at home to force a deciding game.