Cory Schneider

The goaltender is arguably the most important position on any hockey team.

In the NHL, the best goalies are worth their weight in gold and are a paid handsomely.

With that being said, there are some teams that are fortunate enough to have a strong goaltender who doesn't make a ton of money compared to the stars. These are known as the bargain goaltenders.

The Vancouver Canucks will be visiting the Ottawa Senators tonight on Hockey Night in Canada.

This will be a rare appearance for the Canucks on the early slot of Hockey Night in Canada, and will give eastern viewers a chance to see Canada's best team. 

The game starts at 7 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Pacific and can be watched on CBC. For those who might be out Christmas shopping, it can also be heard on Team 1040 radio. 

Up until Thursday night, I laughed at those who suggested the Vancouver Canucks had a goalie controversy on their hands.

Clearly those people haven’t looked up the definition of the word “controversy.” It’s defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as, “A discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views.”

Ryan Kesler has been a shadow of the Selke Trophy-winning, 41 goal-scoring machine that dominated games for the Canucks last season. 

This lack of prowess has been understandable, as Kesler underwent major hip surgery during the summer, and missed training camp plus the first five games of the regular season. 

I have to say, in all honesty, Roberto Luongo has the toughest job in the NHL– apologies to Colin Campbell.  Few players are dragged through the blue and green mud to the extent of Luongo.  Yes, he has let in 12 goals in two games and once again the question that many are asking—are the Bruins in his head? 

The gasp heard around the hockey world on Sunday night didn't come when the Blackhawks scored in overtime to tie up the series with the Vancouver Canucks.  Instead, it occurred a few hours earlier when they saw rookie netminder Cory Schneider suit up to start his first postseason game.

The dust is settling on Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks, but the drama is sure to carry over into conversation tomorrow. 

Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault may have not given enough thought to his decision to start goaltender Roberto Luongo in Game 6 against the Chicago Blackhawks.  In his postgame interview after Game 5’s disaster, it was a given that he would be asked who would start Game 6 in Chicago on Sunday.  

For the second straight playoff game, the Vancouver Canucks were not even worthy of being in the same building as the Chicago Blackhawks. A 7-2 blow-out loss in Game 4 of the series was followed by a 5-0 meltdown in Game 5.

One of the highlights of the 2010-2011 NHL season has been the influx of ripe talent between the pipes.

This sudden explosion was likely responsible for the Chicago Blackhawks' return to the postseason and the Toronto Maple Leafs' late-season turnaround.

It has given certain franchises, such as the Leafs, the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators, a glimmer of hope and a sense of stability.