NHL Playoff Predictions 2012: Canucks Cannot Defeat Kings with a Physical Game

The Vancouver Canucks tried to be physical with the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of their first-round series Wednesday night and failed miserably, proving that this strategy doesn't suit them and won't work going forward.

After being dominated physically by the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals last season, the Canucks came into this year's playoffs wanting to be more physical, but they are doing it completely wrong right now.

The Canucks didn't play their game in the series opener. They can certainly play physical, but that's not the style which has helped them win two consecutive Presidents' Trophies.

When the Canucks were trying to be physical with the Kings, they often did so by taking stupid penalties that gave L.A. a number of power-play opportunities, two of which they scored on.

One play in the second period that was a prime example of the Canucks' failure to walk the line between being physical and not taking penalties was Byron Bitz's five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for boarding Kings forward Kyle Clifford.

Clifford was in a vulnerable position and Bitz showed no intent to let up as he delivered a big hit on the Kings forward. It's likely that Bitz will be suspended as a result of the play.

Before the Bitz penalty in the second period, Canucks forward Zack Kassian took a foolish charging penalty that gave the Kings a power play, which Willie Mitchell scored on to give L.A. a 2-1 lead at the time.

The Canucks made a number of roster moves during the season to give their team a more physical presence, but this isn't the style of hockey they can beat teams with, especially in the playoffs.

You cannot give a team like the Kings, who even though they struggled to score this year, multiple opportunities on the power play, because with forwards such as Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar, they have guys who can put the puck in the back of the net.

If the Canucks continue to play this physical style with the Kings, they will be upset and knocked out of the first round. 

Daniel Sedin's absence certainly hurt them Game 1, no question about it, but they are not built to win by bullying the opponent like the Bruins or New York Rangers are.

The Canucks need to forget about the Bruins and play the style of hockey that helped them finish with the league's best record.

The Stanley Cup playoffs aren't the time to start getting out of your comfort zone and not playing your brand of hockey.

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Nicholas Goss is an NHL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He was also the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.