3H Line Shows Hustle for Canucks in Loss to Oil

Just as advertised, the Canucks unveiled their speedy new line against the Oilers on Tuesday in Edmonton. But it wasn’t the vaunted new second line of Kesler, Higgins and Booth that was the ‘Nucks best line tonight – it was the so-called third line Hodgson, Hansen and ‘Hotra.

The 3H line – Triple Hustle, maybe? – got Vancouver on the scoresheet after the Canucks spotted the Oilers three goals in five minutes of the second period (not all of which could be blamed on Luongo). The 3H line also came closest to tying the game in the last three minutes – not the Sedin line, and not the Kesler line.

This could be a good thing.

The first two lines will produce over the course of a season; that’s a given. If the third line can continue to look this good, then the suspicions may be confirmed: this Canucks team could be better than last year, regardless of the fact Ehrhoff is yet to be replaced.

After a scoreless first period, the Canucks found they didn’t have an answer for the speed, eagerness and creativity of Nugent-Hopkins, Hall and Eberle. It’s scary to think how good the Oilers might be (again) in 2 or 3 years, if they can keep this trio together.

With the Nuge leading the way – as Luongo called him yesterday – this kid line is rapidly raising hopes of Oilers fans everywhere that they will soon be rescued from the hinterlands of hockey (both literally and figuratively) within two or three years.

After just two games against the Canucks this season, they have reason to hope.

Khabibulin has been playing like a marquee goaltender so far this season, with a .072 GAA.

Luongo has not.

No, you couldn’t blame all three goals on Lu, as the first to beat him was a laser by Eberle for his first goal of the year. But the next two involved various levels of culpability for the beleaguered goalie.

Out came Luongo, who dramatically smashed his stick over the Canucks bench, right in front of where he’d watch the rest of the game, which gave him time to pick up splinters, if he felt so inclined. In came Schneider, who was lights out the rest of the way.

I wonder if it’s as frustrating for the players as it is for the fans to watch a goalie win two 1-0 shutouts in the Stanley Cup final, win shutouts in playoff openers, and post other mind-boggling wins, and then let hideous goals in because he’s out of position or misplaying the puck behind the net or making boneheaded decisions that a player of his caliber shouldn’t, at his age.

He’s an odd spectacle, Luongo.

Incredible talent. Incredibly frustrating to watch.

The American Express line may eventually live up to its name, but not on this night. Still, David Booth, newly acquired from Florida, looked good with friends and patriots Kesler and Higgins. He got stuck in front of the net, looked dangerous on rushes, and showed some speed – meaning he won’t look out of place on this team.

Only time will tell (see: Booth’s history of concussions), but any trade in which the Canucks can rid themselves of a couple of creaky old veterans in Samuelsson and Sturm, and get a young talent in return to play in the top six is more than welcome around here.

Yet at this early juncture, it was more intriguing to watch Booth wander aimlessly when he played a couple of shifts with the twins. He got into dangerous positions but didn’t once receive a pass from either Sedin that gave him a scoring chance.

Burrows showed Booth how it was done as soon as he replaced him on the line – he skated hard and fast to the net, with his stick on the ice. He’s learned, like Anson Carter did before him, that if you do that, one of the Sedins will magically place it on your stick in a scoring position, scoring on one of those opportunities, and notching a scoring chance in the third on another.

As a Canucks fan, I feel strangely upbeat after a loss. The future is suddenly bright… very bright.

Even if it means Schneider plays more games than Lu this season. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility, you’ve got to admit.