Can A Team Be Too Rested?

The Canucks look anything but Cup contenders through two games vs. the Blackhawks. More worrying that Roberto Luongo's .871 save percentage, which you know won't last, is that the three injured players from round one are all on life support.

Sami Salo has been terrific with two goals, including the third period winner in Game 1, but he's now hurt. And, as we all have seen, the Canuck D is only as good as Salo's health is.

Willie Mitchell (who looks like he's still wearing those weirdly tight jeans out there) as he is a -2 so far in the series and gives the Nux zip offensively anyway.

Mats Sundin is back and has 3 assists yet is a -3.

So did all this rest help these three players at all?

Game 3 and 5 will be the key to seeing where this series is headed and really given the shaky goaltending at both ends, the Nux main goal should be matching Chicago shot for shot. Being outshot 62-47 through the home games here on the Great Wet Coast was puzzling given the home ice advantage of being able to match lines. In the United Center's cauldron of noise (not scoreboard induced like here in Vancouver) coach Yogi Bear is going to also have to be better at getting the right matchups.

Add to this Duncan Keith (of the pointless rd. 1) has found his game with 3 pts and a +3 so far and the Blackhawks are riding a high.

Plus this article suggests maybe Dustin Byfuglien is having a greater impact on the series than we thought.

Let's hope the team Luongos brings them down from that high tonight with some inspired roadwork.

Ryan Walter: Stay Hungry. Play Your Best Game.

Ryan Walter is the new assistant to Coach Yogi Bear (artistic rendering of Coach Vigneault by Hanna Barbera). He may not have been a hip TV color analyst despite his almost Kerry Fraser-like 'do, but at least he's hip with the kids with his very own Web site.

Apparently, Mr. Walter is a "leadership expert" (it's a four-year degree course at the University of Mars, according to Dean Otis Sistrunk) so maybe he can give the Nux new captain (we all know Naslund is toast) some tips. He also "synergizes teams" so Canuck fans look for a lot of synergy drinks on the bench in 08/09.


It also looks like his winning strategy involves denying players food before games. Yes, boys, stay hungry and play your best, as Ryan Walter says!

In case you are wondering "Why Ryan?" then wonder no more. His own Web site explains it all:

Why Ryan?

	Has exceptional ability to create inspirational, interactive learning
	Makes meeting planners SHINE
	Customizes Presentations to fit clients' desired outcomes
	Has Masters Degree in Leadership/Business
	Has Celebrity Status: 15 years in the NHL, 12 years as a TV Broadcaster, actor in the movie MIRACLE
	Is a natural communicator using stories in his keynotes and interactive games in his breakout sessions to powerfully connect with people
	Was a leader at a young age (the youngest captain in the NHL), and has passion for being on the cutting edge of leadership
	Will host a dynamic Q&A with your audience
	Understands organization/business problems and leadership solutions
	Leverages personal success stories to inspire the HUNGRY SPIRIT and connect the leadership dots
	You get to wear his Stanley Cup Ring

*Ring wearing may rotate on a counter-clockwise basis around the dressing room and be available only on game nights. Breakout sessions will hopefully involve tape-to-tape passes and not so much of that "off the boards to no one" play (known locally as the Willie Mitchell Special).