Canucks have learned art of delivering a knockout blow

Last spring, the Vancouver Canucks suffered from an acute inability to deliver the death blow. The fortunes of the two-time Presidents’ Trophy winners in this year’s springtime hockey rodeo will in part, and perhaps largely, rest on the Canucks’ gumption to decisively knock out reeling opponents.

Twelve months ago, the Canucks barely survived the first round against the Chicago Blackhawks, blowing a 3-0 series lead and nearly securing Vancouver a prominent place in the Choking Hall of Fame.

The second round against Nashville was spotty, too. The Canucks let a lead slip away in late in Game 2 – after dominating the third period all season – and flew to Nashville tied 1-1 instead of up 2-0. Then, in Game 5, the Canucks lost a lead at home and had to haul themselves back to Nashville to close the series in six.           Read More