New York Islanders vs Canucks || November, 13, 2011

#RomeforNorris.  That is all.

Aaron Rome is continuing his surprising point streak, and in convincing fashion.  He isn't just piling on assists, he's getting goals too.  Before this season, Rome had 2 goals and 10 assists in 131 career NHL games.  This season, in just 4 games since returning from injury, he has 3 goals and 2 assists.  Rome has a better points per game average than Daniel Sedin right now, and finishes tied for 5th in the league in that category.  Now, we can't expect him to keep up this pace, because remember, he IS a defenceman.  Although, there isn't really any reason he can't keep up his goal scoring ways.  All his goals so far have been very on purpose.  They aren't just shots from the point that find their way in, they are goals you score from being aggressive and being in the right place at the right time.  I guess this could be the reason why Vigneault played him over Ballard last year, but who knows.

As for the tilt against the Islanders, that was almost a perfect game.  There weren't any brain lapses, just the odd break out or two by New York.  Usually led by the first line, which is to be expected with the kind of talent and speed they have up front.  Luongo was borderline unbeatable, which is hard to do in a game like this because of the extended stretches of not seeing any action.  His best save would have to be the glove save off Grabner, after a quick little give and go, Lou robs him with the glove.



Aside from Rome taking over the water cooler talk, the Canucks played a solid, two-way game.  They were responsible in their own end, didn't take any penalties, at all.  There wasn't any terrible giveaways, although in the first period, there was a lot of back-and-forth in the neutral zone.  Nobody seemed to be able to get anything done.

Hodgson had an excellent game, you noticed him for all the right reasons and not just because he scored.  It was a promising game and a win that they deserved.  Vancouver should have won that game, and they did.  That's how it's going to have to be if they want to finish atop the standings again.  They need to win all the games they should, and then most of the games they shouldn't.  But if Rome wants to play like this all year, there shouldn't be any reason why the Canucks can't finish first again.