Posted by Pierre LeBrun
CHICAGO -- The heat is on the Vancouver Canucks, and that was evident from Alain Vigneault's morning press availability today at United Center.
The Canucks coach made it clear he needs more from several key players if they have any chance of avoiding elimination. The Chicago Blackhawks can advance to the Western Conference finals with a win on home ice tonight (9 p.m. ET).
"The teams that have success are the ones whose players get to the next level," Vigneault said. "We're going to need our players to be better tonight. There is an opportunity here for our guys to prove they can get it done. There is pressure on us. If we want to pursue our season, we've got to get it done tonight."
The Canucks were favored by most to edge out the Blackhawks in this series; they had more experience and the man many believe is the best goaltender in the world in Roberto Luongo. Even he didn't escape Vigneault's comments today.
"He's like the rest of the group. He has another gear to get to," said Vigneault. "He is our best player. He has to play accordingly."
Another is spark plug Alexandre Burrows. He became a fan favorite this season and put up career numbers. He merited a promotion to the top line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin halfway through the season and didn't look back. Until this series, that is. He has one assist in the five games against Chicago and was replaced on the top line by Mats Sundin during Saturday night's game in Vancouver.
Burrows is on a list of several Canucks who need to ramp it up tonight.
"He is one of them, obviously," said Vigneault, chuckling. "I haven't got the list in order yet, but I do think there is a list there."
Said the likable Burrows today: "I've got to produce more. A lot of guys have to step up. We've shown some flashes, but we've got to be consistent. All of our best players, we've got to be better. We're the guys people are going to look to step it up and make a difference."
I wrote last week about the Canucks and their window of opportunity in these playoffs. The offseason could have a lot of activity given the unrestricted free-agent status of the Sedin twins, Sundin and veteran blueliner Mattias Ohlund, and the expected contract extension talks with Luongo, who has only one year left on his deal. All of those players told me how much the here and now mattered to them because they don't know what's in store for this roster moving forward.
With that in mind, tonight's game should speak volumes to what those guys are made of.
ESPN.com Stanley Cup playoffs blog
