Canucks' postseason hopes have taken a hit.

[40#1Fan 0]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=232955&hubname=

Brendan Morrison is done for the season and the playoffs after suffering a torn ACL. The 32-year-old has battled injuries this season and missed significant time (38 games) after having wrist surgery in mid-December.

He has nine goals and 16 assists over his 38 games.

All-Star netminder Roberto Luongo has left the team to be with his wife in Florida for the birth of their first child. Even if the baby is born on Thursday, the Canucks are not certain Luongo will be able to make Friday's important game against the Minnesota Wild.

The club will call up either Cory Schneider or Drew MacIntyre just in case Luongo does not make it back to face the Wild.

The Canucks sit in the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They have 86 points and are two back of the Colorado Avalanche in 7th spot and two points up on the 9th place Nashville Predators and three points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers in 10th

[#19=Legend 29]

Cmon Nashville!

I dont want to face Luongo in the playoffs.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I hope they miss the playoffs. I'd much rather play Nashville with a worse goalie, and less travel, than have to deal with another Western Canadian team.

[FinWing 26]

The playoff race is getting really interesting. I'd also like to face Nashville or possibly Colorado for the sake of less travel (even though picking your poison is a no-no).

[arnoldbuck 0]

I wonder how the Nucks fans will handle this. I live in BC, so I'll just ask them, but it is an interesting situation. Obviously family is important,and Lu is making the decision he feels is best for him and his family. And though it is a private issue, something about this pregnancy was an issue earlier in the season, around the all star break and Luongo took a few games off.

Luongo is pretty much the only reason Vancouver is in playoff contention. So, if he skips a game or two, and the team misses the playoffs by a game or two, where to the fans stand on the issue?

[rick zombo 3,739]

Right now, I'd take 1.) Nashville 2.) Colorado 3.) Vancouver.

Detoit could easily handle any of these three teams. Then again, Detroit could easily have some scary problems with either of these three teams too.

I just want the playoffs to start, and for the first round to be over.

Edit:

Also, I'm gong on record to say that I think this is the year Detroit gets a little luck/help. There's no question that the Wings had by far the toughest three match-ups (Calgary, San Jose, Anaheim) in the playoffs last year. Factor in key injuries. And consider that Detroit ran in to an Edmonton team the previous year that played lights out hockey.

In short, you need a bit of luck to win the cup.

Here's hoping for a favourable first round match-up, good health, and a major upset in one of the other series; let's say Calgary or Dallas over Anaheim, or Colorado over San Jose.

Edited March 27, 2008 by rick zombo

[wingslogo19 281]

I wonder how the Nucks fans will handle this. I live in BC, so I'll just ask them, but it is an interesting situation. Obviously family is important,and Lu is making the decision he feels is best for him and his family. And though it is a private issue, something about this pregnancy was an issue earlier in the season, around the all star break and Luongo took a few games off.

Luongo is pretty much the only reason Vancouver is in playoff contention. So, if he skips a game or two, and the team misses the playoffs by a game or two, where to the fans stand on the issue?

Yeah I live in BC as well so im wondering what the Nuck fans are thinking right now.. But Lou is making the right choice, family comes first

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Yeah I live in BC as well so im wondering what the Nuck fans are thinking right now.. But Lou is making the right choice, family comes first

I agree, life > game. Should be interesting to see what happens though.

[toby91_ca 620]

I wonder how the Nucks fans will handle this. I live in BC, so I'll just ask them, but it is an interesting situation. Obviously family is important,and Lu is making the decision he feels is best for him and his family. And though it is a private issue, something about this pregnancy was an issue earlier in the season, around the all star break and Luongo took a few games off.

Luongo is pretty much the only reason Vancouver is in playoff contention. So, if he skips a game or two, and the team misses the playoffs by a game or two, where to the fans stand on the issue?

For the fans that have had the opportunity to have children, it will be no question with them, there is absolutely nowhere else on the planet he should be other than with his family during that amazing experience.

For those that do not have children, I can seem them questioning it.

[Deke 0]

Cmon Nashville!

I dont want to face Luongo in the playoffs.

Facing Luongo in the play offs would be great. It's like putting a donut on a baseball bat. After the wings are done lighting up one of the best individual effort goalies in the league, they will be warmed up to score on anyone. Don't be afraid of Luongo, he might be beast, but he has no team to be afraid of.

[arnoldbuck 0]

I know he lived in Flordia for a long time, and perhaps that is where she is from. But does anyone know why his wife would remain in Florida? I know Luo is well off and can afford to fly and see her when he wants, but with his schedule, that is a long time apart.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

For the fans that have had the opportunity to have children, it will be no question with them, there is absolutely nowhere else on the planet he should be other than with his family during that amazing experience.

For those that do not have children, I can seem them questioning it.

To me, those people are fools. My wife and I don't have kids yet, but there's no place I would rather be than with my wife while our child is being born. I question the values of those that think otherwise, regardless of having children or not.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Agreed.

Last week I was with my wife in the birthing suite for the birth of our 1st child (a little dude ), & it's an experience I hope everyone here can have

Congrats!

[arnoldbuck 0]

To me, those people are fools. My wife and I don't have kids yet, but there's no place I would rather be than with my wife while our child is being born. I question the values of those that think otherwise, regardless of having children or not.

Dont get me wrong, I agree that family is first. I just think it is going to be one of those things that a lot of Vancouver fans think but dont say. They will understand, and even agree with Luo's decision, but at the same time, but frustrated at having to cheer for Calgary.

[heyfolks 8]

he signed a long-term deal in Vancouver and I am quite certain they have OB/GYNS. I am sure they have a good life in Florida and they want the child to be a US citizen, FINE, but he shouldn't be leaving the team at a critical juncture. That and he got worked last night by the Avs.

I actually think the Nucks are nothing more than an opponet in the 8 spot. I only want the Preds because of the travel. God knows I can't stand that freaking whistle, nor do I want the team to have to deal with tootoo in a long series. < by long i mean 4 games.

Edited March 27, 2008 by heyfolks

[BeatDown20 0]

Important 2nd line center, franchise goalie.

There as done as you can get, someone needs to step up, or Nashville has them.

[detroitdan 0]

go Nashville...I'd much rather play them than the Canucks or Avs

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Ouch. That is a huge blow to them.

[awingsincebirth 0]

he signed a long-term deal in Vancouver and I am quite certain they have OB/GYNS. I am sure they have a good life in Florida and they want the child to be a US citizen, FINE, but he shouldn't be leaving the team at a critical juncture. That and he got worked last night by the Avs.

I actually think the Nucks are nothing more than an opponet in the 8 spot. I only want the Preds because of the travel. God knows I can't stand that freaking whistle, nor do I want the team to have to deal with tootoo in a long series. < by long i mean 4 games.

Agreed. I don't think that any of the fans, the sane ones anyways, can question Luongo's desire to be with his wife at a time like this. I do think, however, that they may question why he has to fly all the way to Florida to do that. I'm not questioning it myself, because I really don't care, but for Canuck fans, many of whom are crazy die-hards, I can see this being a bit of an issue.

[sergei_is_still_a_wing 1]

after watching last nights avs nucks game in its entirety, roberto scares me a little less. the avs cycled, applied pressure, and backed off when need be. ALL things the wings are more than capable of doing night in and night out. now this is not to say if we played hard we'll score 5 and chase roberto every game. no one is that naive. but i also think that in a seven game series the nucks can be tamed rather easily.

also, does anyone agree that having the boys in red and white KNOW that they are going to face one of, if not THE, best goalie in hockey may light a fire under their asses? i know when i have a big game coming up against a tough opponent, i get fired up far more than if i think its a team that is easily beaten. just saying it might give the guys a little something extra to play for, going up against the creme de la creme.

peace.

[Zion 93]

Didn't Luongo pass on the All-Star Game because his wife was delivering?

[Saran 1]

Didn't Luongo pass on the All-Star Game because his wife was delivering?

Ya im pretty sure, another kid?

PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE let the vancouver canucks NOT make the playoffs. I know that the birth of his child is very important, but he should play on friday for sure, its such a huge game for his team, that single game can make or break their playoff future.

[Hank 0]

[url="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=232955&hubname="]http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=232955&hubname=[/url]

Brendan Morrison is done for the season and the playoffs after suffering a torn ACL. The 32-year-old has battled injuries this season and missed significant time (38 games) after having wrist surgery in mid-December.

He has nine goals and 16 assists over his 38 games.

All-Star netminder Roberto Luongo has left the team to be with his wife in Florida for the birth of their first child. Even if the baby is born on Thursday, the Canucks are not certain Luongo will be able to make Friday's important game against the Minnesota Wild.

The club will call up either Cory Schneider or Drew MacIntyre just in case Luongo does not make it back to face the Wild.

The Canucks sit in the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They have 86 points and are two back of the Colorado Avalanche in 7th spot and two points up on the 9th place Nashville Predators and three points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers in 10th

Losing Morrison won't hurt them in the least. In fact, you could probably replace all 12 forwards with blind monkeys and it wouldn't change much. That entire team is based around Luongo and strong, boring defensive play.

What the Canucks should really worry about is Luongo taking more time off for the birth of his child. Rumor's are circulating that he could miss the first 2 games of the postseason and a few down the stretch.

I also hope Nashville can catch Vancouver because I don't want to face a hot goalie in round 1 and I absolutely loathe the style of play Vancouver employs. It's terrible for hockey and it's even worse for people living on the east coast to try and stay awake to watch.

[stormboy 47]

after watching last nights avs nucks game in its entirety, roberto scares me a little less. the avs cycled, applied pressure, and backed off when need be. ALL things the wings are more than capable of doing night in and night out. now this is not to say if we played hard we'll score 5 and chase roberto every game. no one is that naive. but i also think that in a seven game series the nucks can be tamed rather easily.

my thoughts. while no playoff series is a gimmie, and none should be approached as such, the idea of facing luongo doesn't scare me too much. yeah, the wings can have a tendency to fire shot after shot into the (oversized) chest pads of a goalie like louongo, but the avs, while certainly a fine team, absolutely torched him last night and their offense isn't as good as ours, though it is good. as long as the d can stay healthy to move the puck for, say, datsyuk, zetterberg, cleary, franzen, homer...we'll be in fine shape. i'm not frightened by any of those three teams, though i think they would all make exciting and competitive match ups.

more on topic, this is a pretty big blow to them. they have very little secondary scoring, and what was there just took a hit. plus, even if lou was back in time for the playoffs, big games against divisional opponents with such a narrow lead right now are exactly that...big games.

but i'll just say this: it's better to be watching the scrum for the bottom playoff spots from the top of the pile. it's more relaxing, if less exciting.

[wingslogo19 281]

Didn't Luongo pass on the All-Star Game because his wife was delivering?

No, it was a complicated pregnancy. That's why he went back the first time