Tuesday hockey thoughts/Ohlund is still a Canuck

---It appears that even after leaving the Canucks for a sweeter life in Tampa, Fla., Matthias Ohlund still has some Canuck left in him. This was apparent when he absolutely dropped Phil Kessel who figured a trip through the trolley tracks might be a good idea. Again, this is what you get, Toronto, for pinning all of your hopes on a guy with one nut. The Canucks have never really had a bitter rival. Sure, we hate the Oilers, Flames, and Leafs (but for some reason Canuck fans decide the playoffs are a good time to cheer for the first to.), but those three teams hate other teams a lot more than we hate them. Still, it was nice to see Ohlund punishing a team we all hate.

---Where would the Canucks be without the signing of Mikael Samuelsson? Well, probably still in overtime with the Rangers had he not scored the first and third goals of the game. I admit I was hesitant with him at the beginning of the year, mostly just because he was making some stupid decisions. But after years and years of watching the Sedins, Steve Bernier, and practically the rest of the team fail to bury chances, it's pretty damn nice to see someone with some actual finish. And how about Ryan Kesler playing right around point per game hockey? How much is this guy going to be worth when his contract comes up? Goodbye, Mr. Demitra?

---Moving away from the Canucks, I still cannot believe the slew of injuries in 2009. Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin, last seasons top two scorers? Out for weeks. The Penguins have proved during the last two injuries of Sidney Crosby that they can play without their captain. That situation has just given fuel to Crosby haters that say he isn't as good as Malkin. Well, it seems to work both ways with the Penguins not missing a beat without Geno (Malkin). Crosby did have to save the game tonight against Anaheim when he "stacked the pads" and took a shot off the tin cup. The real question that will be answered in Ovechkin's absence? How good are Semin and Backstrom? It's going to be interesting to see how they will play without the MVP.