Peepin' Foes: Vancouver Canucks

Two of the best goaltenders, probably the two best goaltenders in the NHL will stare at each other across the Garden ice tonight as Captain Roberto Luongo leads the Vancouver Canucks against King Henrik Lundqvist's New York Rangers. Seeing as a King is better than a captain, we should be in good shape ...

Where We Are: The Rangers have won three straight games including back-to-back shootouts. Monday's was a boring affair that saw more power play woes and more late heroics - and, of course, more stellar goaltending. Nik Zherdev and Aaron Voros were chastised for lack of effort, while Colton Orr, Fred Sjostrom and Nigel Dawes were rewarded for their play.

Where They Are: Vancouver has lost two shootouts in their last three games and are coming off of the second one - a 2-1 loss to the Islanders. (What is it with the Rangers picking up their trash?) The Canucks are 10-6-2 and trail the Wild by one point in the Northwest (but Minnesota has two games in hand).

Who To Watch For: Pavol Demitra returned from a rib injury and collected four points in his last two games - if he wasn't so fragile, he would be a top player in the league. The Nucks also have the creepy identical Sedin twins, the speedy Mason Raymond and the resurgent Kyle Wellwood. I always liked Wellwood in Toronto but the Leafs let him go and all he has done for Vancouver is score seven goals in 13 games. Luckily they are without defenseman Kevin Bieksa, who broke his foot, and they will have a tired Alex Edler, who went out in the storm last week to start his car without his jacket on and missed several games with the flu.

What To Watch For: The Vancouver line of Alex Burrows, Ryan Kesler and rookie Jannik Hansen plays with an edge and can get creative at times. They will certainly press the action and keep the inadequate Ranger D on their heels. At the same time, they will run into Hank and that should be that. The Sedin twins may beat him for one or two but, with Callahan playing the Burrows role for the Rangers, the Blueshirts should be able to cause enough chaos in front of Luongo to tame the former Panther.

What We'll (Hopefully) See: The Ranger power play do something, anything good. A standout performance from former Canuck captain Markus Naslund (preferably on the aforementioned power play). Michal Rozsival remember how to play defense and not get booed the entire night. A heavyweight bout between Colt and Darcy Hordichuk and a middleweight between Pyatt or Burrows and Voros. Voros had three fights with Canucks last year but all three opponents are no longer on the team.

Also Check Out: Waiting For Stanley and Canucks and Beyond.

As always, I recommend people check out Sam Weinman's Ranger Report for up-to-the-minute updates on our boys. Sam really is the best of the beat guys covering the Blueshirts and today he took a deserving look at the relationship between Travis Roy and Chris Drury. Thanksgiving may be a week away but if Roy's story doesn't make you appreciate all you have, I don't know what will.

 Peepin' Foes: Vancouver Canucks - A Closer Look at the Rivalry

In the world of professional sports, rivalries are the lifeblood of competition. They add drama, intensity, and a special kind of excitement to each matchup. For the New York Rangers, one of their notable rivals has long been the Vancouver Canucks. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history, dynamics, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) surrounding the rivalry between the Rangers and the Canucks.

I. A Brief History of the Rivalry

The Rangers-Canucks rivalry may not be as famous as some others in the NHL, but it has had its moments of intensity and drama. The teams have met in memorable contests over the years, including their battle in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, which the Rangers won in seven games.

II. Key Moments and Matchups

1994 Stanley Cup Finals: This series is undoubtedly the most significant chapter in the Rangers-Canucks rivalry. The Rangers' victory in Game 7 marked their first Stanley Cup win in 54 years.

Regular Season Battles: While they may not meet as often as division rivals, the Rangers and Canucks have had their fair share of intense regular-season matchups. These games often feature spirited play and close scores.

Notable Players: The rivalry has seen its fair share of talented players on both sides, including Rangers legends like Mark Messier and Canucks greats like Pavel Bure.

III. Dynamics of the Rivalry

What makes this rivalry interesting is its unique dynamics:

Geographical Separation: The geographical distance between New York and Vancouver means the teams don't meet frequently, adding to the anticipation when they do clash.

History of Success: Both teams have had periods of success in their histories, which has added to the intensity of their meetings.

Passionate Fans: The fan bases of both teams are known for their passion, making games between the Rangers and Canucks especially lively.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why isn't the Rangers-Canucks rivalry as well-known as some others?

A1: The geographical separation plays a role, as does the fact that the teams haven't consistently met in the playoffs. However, for those who have followed the rivalry closely, it holds a special place in their hearts.

Q2: What are some memorable moments from Rangers-Canucks matchups?

A2: In addition to the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, there have been regular-season games that have gone down to the wire, with dramatic goals and physical play.

Q3: Are there any current players who embody the spirit of the rivalry?

A3: While the rosters have evolved over the years, there are often players who embrace the intensity of the matchup and add fuel to the rivalry with their on-ice performance.

V. Conclusion

The Rangers-Canucks rivalry may not be as widely celebrated as some others in the NHL, but it holds a special place in the hearts of fans who have witnessed the intensity, drama, and history between these two teams. While they may not meet as often as division rivals, each Rangers-Canucks matchup is a chance to relive the storied moments of their rivalry and create new memories for a new generation of fans.