5 Things to Look Forward to When the Canucks Meet the Blackhawks on January 31

The Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks have already met twice since the Canucks finally lifted the curse of the Blackhawks in the playoffs by winning last season's first-round series in overtime on that now infamous goal by Alex Burrows in Game 7. But the bad blood built through the rivalry between the two teams over the past four or five years is only getting thicker.

Earlier this season we thought that what arguably is the best current rivalry in the NHL was going to come to an end when the proposed realignment of the conferences meant the teams would only meet twice a year, but as of now, the NHLPA has rejected the proposal and the rivalry lives on for yet another season. This takes away from the January 31st date as it could have been the last home game for the Canucks against the Hawks until the one game next season, but there is still a lot to look forward to.

Roberto Luongo vs. the Blackhawks Forwards

What could be one of the most intriguing matchups in these heated games is that of the matchup between Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo and the big forwards that pester him of the Chicago Blackhawks. Whether it be Dustin Byfuglien in the past or Jamal Mayers, Andrew Shawor or Dave Bolland taking jabs at Luongo after the whistle and during play, there is no doubt that Luongo hates it and so do his teammates.

Nothing infuriates Roberto Luongo more than members of the Blackhawks in his crease and on top of him. Nothing makes him happier than to battle through those players to make a big save, put a smirk on his face and chirp a couple words back at them.

The battle between Luongo and the Blackhawks is always entertaining especially with how physical it gets. Look forward to another long night of pushing and shoving of Roberto Luongo by the Blackhawks with plenty of backup from the Canucks players after the whistle. This intense rivalry begins and ends in the crease.

Revenge

One story line that goes along with every matchup between these two teams is the revenge aspect of these games. There is always something from the rivalry heating up prior to a game, whether it be the Blackhawks trying to avenge their Game 7 loss to the Canucks in last year's playoffs or the Canucks trying to redeem themselves since the Blackhawks spanked them 5-1 the last time they met at Rogers Arena. Revenge is always a factor.

These vengeful tones only add to the intensity of the game. You never know what is going to happen between these two teams and it is amazing. 

Whether revenge is by way of a hit, a fight, a goal or a big statement save, you can expect to see it in this game. You can also expect to see something that will be a means for revenge for the team's final regular-season meeting of the year in March at the United Center. 

Fallout from Dave Bolland's Comments

In mid-December, Blackhawks forward Dave Bolland went on WGN Radio in Chicago and said:

"

If you keep jabbing at them, they'll snap, I think you seen what happened with the Sedin Sisters.

"

This didn't sit lightly with Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault who fired back with the remarks:

"

Dave Bolland has an IQ the size of bird seed and a face only a mother can love.

"

Of course these comments didn't phase the Sedins, who are among the elite players in the NHL. The comments also seemed to surface out of nowhere as the two teams hadn't met in a few weeks and weren't going to play until the last day in January. 

Nonetheless, Bolland will probably wish he bit his tongue a little when he arrives in Vancouver as he also called Vancouverites a bunch of weirdos. His welcome will not be warm and be sure of it, a Canuck will step up to put Bolland in his place come January 31. 

A Much Tighter Game

In their first two meetings this season, both the Canucks and Blackhawks walked away with victories splitting the season series at 1-1. The decisiveness of these victories however, 6-2 for the Canucks and 5-1 most recently for the Hawks, will not be the story in this upcoming meeting.

Both the Canucks and Blackhawks have significantly improved since November, and this game will most likely come down to a goal or even overtime. Both sides are extremely talented offensively. Chicago leads the league in goals for with 152, but Vancouver is just behind with 149. They are also good defensively allowing 20 goals fewer than the Blackhawks this season, and that could be a difference maker.

The Canucks are less wide open than they were to start the year and should be able to contain the likes of Jonathon Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa on January 31st. The Canucks have a slight edge in this game, but there is no doubt it won't be another blowout for either side, and will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

A Playoff Atmosphere and Game

This game will be played as though it is Game 7 in the playoffs. The Vancouver Canucks hate the Chicago Blackhawks and vice versa. 

It is hard for a player on either side to not get up for this game. 

Regardless of the on-ice personnel from years past moving on, this rivalry still runs deep. The two teams have met a total of 34 times the last three seasons including 19 times in the playoffs, and it will be hard to find a better game on the schedule than this one.

There will be a bit of everything and the crowd won't be silent as it has been at times in Vancouver this season. Expect a raucous Tuesday evening crowd in Rogers Arena and the hate will spread from the ice, in between the benches and to the stands. 

It seems strange the two teams have only met twice this season, but this game will be a big one. Chicago and Vancouver are currently duking it out for first place in the West and this game could be the one or two points needed for either side at the end of the year to secure the top spot. 

One cannot pinpoint one exact aspect of this rivalry that is so terrific, but in its entirety it has been one for the ages. Thankfully with realignment expected to not take effect next season, we will have yet another year to enjoy the best rivalry in hockey. January 31st folks, it's going to be a barn burner. Mark it down.