Northwest Division Playoff Race Heats Up
March 27, 2009 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Calgary Flames, NHL, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks
It doesn’t seem like that long ago that it looked like the Vancouver Canucks were going to fall apart and possibly miss the playoffs this year. In fact, it appeared that nothing, not even the addition of Mats Sundin to their lineup, could improve their game. At the same time, it seemed like the opposite was true of the Calgary Flames, who are currently leading the Northwest Division by a mere three points. They were winning games, killing penalties and challenging critics. Indeed, it seemed like they would hold on to their incredible lead until the end of the regular season.
image: TSN.ca
It’s amazing what a difference a few weeks (and the reactivation of star goaltender, Roberto Luongo) can make. Since I now live in Calgary, I can’t say that I’m a big fan of the Canucks but, as a friend reminded me on the phone the other night, I can’t deny they have been one of the hottest teams since the All-Star Break. Meanwhile, the Flames began to fall apart after acquiring Olli Jokinen and Jordan Leopold at the trade deadline. They’ve basically opened the door and invited the Canucks to walk right in and steal the division.
The Canucks face the Colorado Avalanche (last in the division) tonight and, if they win, they will move within one point of the Flames. Things have definitely gotten a lot more interesting…
