The Canucks played a very controlled game against the Oilers and it worked outperfectly. However, I’m not sure if it was the Canucks defensive play or the fact that the Oilers were riddled with the flu that contributed for an easy go of things for Luongo and the bunch. I watched the Oilers play Columbus a few nights ago and the Penner/Gagner/Hemsky line was phenomenal. Last night they didn’t stand out at all. Could have been the flu, could have been the back-to-back games (with travel unlike Vancouver), or it could have been the Canucks defence. Or maybe a little bit of all.

Now to my thoughts…

• I’ve noticed myself, in the last few games, really looking forward to the times that the Kesler line hits the ice. It’s very similar to how I feel when I watch the Kings (Kopitar line) or the Caps (Ovechkin’s line). Obviously they aren’t in the class of those that I mentioned but they sure are entertaining to watch.
• Speaking of Kesler, he’s been play some very good hockey of late after a tough start. Very good to see. Hopefully Burrows can get it going much in the same way soon.
• Even though Mathieu Schneider didn’t do much last night, he played with so much poise and fluidity (is that a word?), which is a nice change of pace from the “hot potato” play that some our defencemen partake in.
• Like I mentioned after the last four or five games, Luongo’s game is coming along just fine. Actually, I would venture to say that his game is back now.
• I’m liking the way Alexandre Bolduc has looked in his stint up. I find his skating to be much better than Tanner Glass’ and  I really believe he should stay up in place of Tanner once that decision has to be made. Not that impressed with Tanner Glass.
• Sergei Shirokov didn’t standout to me that much. However, he did have one shift (in the second period I believe), where he buzzed around like a bee in the offensive zone. I saw that from him in the preseason but not in the regular season. The hope is that he does that more in future games because he can be effective doing that.

In closing, another win, another solid Luongo performance and another great showing by the Kesler threesome. I can’t help but think how good things will be when Daniel returns and the first line gets firing on all cylinders as well.