Canuck Craziness: Vancouver Needs to Wake Up If They Want To Move On

Heading into yesterday's match-up, Vancouver's playoff dreams seemed all but over. They had almost completely self-destructed in the previous three games, and flew to Chicago looking for some answers

After a solid win last night, the Canucks have lived to play another day and have pushed off their elimination, for now.

The big question surrounding this team is simply, what is going on with them? They win game one in Chicago by laying the smack-down on the higher-seeded Hawks, and things were looking pretty optimistic for the upstart Canucks.

Then games two through four happened and it appeared as though the Canucks were playing like the Oilers in disguise.

Only letting up one goal in the first game, then letting in 16 over the next three (two of which were on home ice?)

What happened to the game one upset hopefuls?

Where did they skate off to?

Last night was a slight glimpse of what we saw from these guys in game one, and now everyone is wondering whether it will continue heading into game six, or will the final score sheet show Chicago out-scoring Vancouver by six goals?

Looking at the team's results over the last few games, many have been berating Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo, placing the blame for the big losses directly on him.

I don't think that's fair and, to be honest, the blame doesn't lie on any one player, but rather on the team as a whole.

Whether Luongo is letting in too many goals, or his defense is allowing the Hawks too many chances on net, or the top guys aren't doing their job on offense, this team needs a wake up call.

The thing is, they can do it.

Vancouver is a very capable team and went 2-2 against the Hawks during the regular season, losing one of those games by a score of 1-0.

The Canucks can beat these guys, they just need to get focused and continue what happened last night.

Everyone has to step up their game tomorrow night or else the Canucks' playoff hopes will be dashed. Enough of this pattern of winning then getting rocked for a big loss. It's the playoffs. Time to get serious.

Vancouver in Seven.