Roberto Luongo

After two hard-fought games against the Western Conference's elite—the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings—it is clear that there is little separating the top teams in the NHL's West.  

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.”

Another NHL season is in full swing and the aim of every player is to get better and perform to the best of their ability.

While, many players doing just that, there are others who are trending in the other direction.

For whatever reason, age, immaturity, being in a poor situation there are several players who are under performing and failing to live up to expectations.

Here is one player from each franchise who is poised to take a step back this season. 

They almost became the inspiration for an entire city of hockey fans. They were one strike away on two separate occasions. You wouldn’t think that fans of the Vancouver Canucks would be pulling for a team from Texas that was once owned by George W.

In the NHL there are a number of players that coaches, teammates and fans are trying to get their arms around.  Whether it is bizarre behavior, dirty play, inconsistent play or continuing injures, there are players in the league that leave you scratching your head.  

At a certain point you expect the unexpected and wonder which direction their game and career is headed. 

To that end, here is a list of 10 players whose play or actions baffle those that follow the game and keep all wondering what's next.  

We're still ways away from the start of the 2011-12 NHL regular season, but that's not going to discourage me from making some predictions. 

The offseason is a double-edged sword. You make certain moves and sign players, hoping that those investments pay off. On the other hand, there are times when a lack of action proves to be the best course of action. 

Before delving into the tangled guts of the now very deceased Vancouver Canucks, it should be stated clearly and succinctly that the better team won. Congratulations to that team, the Boston Bruins.

After two months of heart-wrenching action, the Vancouver Canucks saw themselves one win away from capturing the first Stanley Cup for their franchise. With a 3-2 series lead, Vancouver had to be feeling good about their chances, given the fact that their best hockey had yet to be played.

My oh my, how things turn on a dime. Momentum. Energy. Confidence. A 31-save shutout for Roberto Luongo has put the Vancouver Canucks back in the driver’s seat.

Bobby Lou's Game 5 shutout is his fourth of the playoffs, after he posted goose eggs in Game 1 of the Chicago series, Game 1 of the Nashville series, and Game 1 of the Boston series.