Please don't let Vancouver choke

Snake-bit would be an understatement if Vancouver blows a 3-1 lead. Yes, Dallas and Vancouver are fairly well-matched. But when a 3 seed blows a 3-1 series lead and is forced to play a Game 7, it looks bad even if they win the series.

There were high hopes for the Canucks: a hot goalie in Roberto Luongo and a team hungry for success. You knew Ottawa would have some success, for Calgary, you were hopeful for any success. You hoped for much more than just getting out of the first round for Vancouver.

Even though the Canucks haven't scored a goal since game 4, it is still very likely Vancouver will advance. The Canucks are on home ice Monday night. The crowd, perhaps hungrier than the players for success, will be in a white-towel waving frenzy.

The sad part is by Tuesday morning, we could be down to one Canadian-based hockey team. If Calgary wins Sunday night, Game 7 will be Tuesday.

As for the second round, if New Jersey wins its series, Ottawa will play the Devils. Ottawa would be the lower seed in the matchup, so it would open on the road. Buffalo would then play the New York Rangers.

Provided the Canucks advance, Vancouver would play Anaheim if Detroit win its series, San Jose if Calgary pulls off the upset. Provided the Flames advance, Calgary would play Anaheim.

There are a few basic goals in the NHL playoffs: Advance as many Canadian-based teams as far as they can go, give props to the Original 6, and make sure no Southern teams win the Cup. The last two years, Tampa Bay and Carolina have won the Cup. The New Jersey Devils in 2003 were the last non-Southern team to win. If Tampa Bay is eliminated and Dallas loses to Vancouver, the Stanley Cup shall not rise in the South, a good thing for hockey.