NHL Playoffs 2012: 5 Key Takeaways for the Vancouver Canucks Following Game 1

Strange times for the Vancouver Canucks, after falling 4-2 to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night.

The Presidents' Trophy champs haven't lost Game 1 of a playoff series since falling to the Anaheim Ducks in Round 2 in 2007. But the top seed finds itself in a hole after Dustin Penner put Game 1 on ice with 3:14 remaining in the third period.

Here's what the Canucks can take away from Wednesday night's game, and try to improve upon on Friday.

Penalties Are Back!

During the final weeks of the regular season, there was a great deal of talk about how scoring had dropped around the NHL, because enough power plays weren't being awarded—the refs weren't making the calls.

If Game 1 is any indication, things will be different this postseason, at least in the early going.

The Kings' Jarret Stoll was called for charging at 2:08 of the first period, leading to a total of 10 penalty minutes for Los Angeles and 27 for Vancouver.

The Kings struggled offensively, but took advantage and went 2-8 with the man-advantage, while the Canucks were 0-for-5. That was the difference in the game.

To be successful in Game 2, the Canucks need to stay out of the box, and capitalize on the chances they receive. The power-play looked grim as the regular season wound down—it's time to flip the switch.

Mike Richards Has Returned to Form

Most nights, the team with the best player will win the game. On Wednesday, that player was Mike Richards.

He did it all, logging a goal and two assists for a plus-two in 22 minutes of ice time. He plays on the power play. He kills penalties. And he was a physical force, particularly in a late-game battle with Alex Burrows.

Keep in mind, Richards accomplished all this while being matched up against Selke Trophy-winning centre Ryan Kesler. In Game 1, it was definitely advantage: Richards.

After a subpar season, Richards is showing why he won such wide respect playing for Team Canada during the 2010 Olympics. The Canucks must find a way to slow him down.

Defence Is the Difference

Just because the Kings don't score much, it doesn't mean they should be allowed to shoot the puck with reckless abandon.

Continuing a trend from the regular season, the Canucks were widely outshot in Game 1, by a 39-26 margin. The Canucks also allowed an uncharacteristic eight giveaways, led by three from Alex Edler, including a glaring miscue that led to the Kings' winning goal.

Alain Vigneault's new pairing of Edler and Bieksa was a particular adventure. Both can play much better than they showed on Wednesday, so here's hoping for a return to form.

The Canucks must deploy a more responsible-style five-on-five if they want to get back into this series.

Goaltending Is Not the Problem

The goaltending debate has raged in Vancouver all season long. 

Roberto Luongo recorded a shutout against Edmonton in the last game of the season, while Cory Schneider lost his last start against Calgary, so that calmed the waters a bit heading into Game 1.

"Number One" Luongo got the start, and kept his team in the game for nearly 57 minutes. Right from the opening puck drop, he made several big stops and allowed the Canucks to find a groove, leading to Alex Burrows' goal on just the Canucks' second shot of the game.

Luongo stayed strong throughout the contest, and it would be surprising if he didn't get the start again on Friday.

Play with Intensity, but Under Control

It is often said that players must take their game to the next level in the postseason.

It's one thing to step up the intensity; it's another to cross the line. The difference can be minuscule.

The worst example for the Canucks last night was Byron Bitz' hit on Kyle Clifford. Bitz' role is to provide a physical presence, and he was playing just his fourth shift of the game in the second period when he made contact with Clifford.

Bitz didn't come at him directly from behind, but the angle was such that Clifford's face went into the edge of the boards. He hit his head and did not return to the game, while Bitz was awarded a boarding major and a game misconduct.

A smaller undisciplined play that proved to be just as important was Ryan Kesler's unsportsmanlike penalty in the first period, awarded for a small snow-shower on Jonathan Quick after the whistle. The penalty-kill on the Kesler penalty is what led to first Chris Higgins, then Alex Edler, each shooting the puck over the glass while attempting to clear the zone. The first five-on-three quickly converted into the Kings' opening goal.

Game 1 was testy, and emotions will bubble up even more as the series progresses. The veteran Canucks must keep their cool and pick their spots more effectively. Could be easier said than done.