LUCY NICHOLSON
The theme in Game 4 was resiliency.
The Canucks were out-chanced 7-0 in the first period. The Kings scored their sixth straight power-play goal in the second, and led 3-2. And in the third, Vancouver's go-ahead effort was answered 62 seconds later.
Yet the Canucks emerged with a 6-4 victory, and some of their swagger seeped back into view. On to Game 5 with some impressions...
Momentum
Series-wise, it's back with Vancouver. Game-wise, the Canucks generated some by killing that Jannik Hansen high-sticking penalty in the second. They got more with Mikael Samuelsson's game-tying goal, and with Sami Salo's go-ahead goal. Something tells me Uncle Mo will shift several more times before this series is through.
Too many men
What's going on here? Each team got a bench penalty (a second of the series for the Canucks). Both led to goals. TSN's Darren Dreger counts 16 too-many men penalties this postseason, and we're not even out of the first round. Who do these offenders think they are? The Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Kevin Bieksa
He's a disaster right now. He was on the ice for three of L.A.'s four goals. On the other goal, Bieksa was in the box. Having no choice, Alain Vigneault keeps playing him like a top-4 D. But he's not that guy. Not even close.
Gary Bettman
Other commissioners are stately, Gary is petty. After his snippy pre-game press conference, this question came up among sportswriters: who is more condescending, Bettman or Leafs coach Ron Wilson? Talk amongst yourselves.
Pavol Demitra
Had a goal. Welcome to the series, Pavol.