5/16/13: It must be May because the Vancouver Canucks finished up another dominating regular season and then got swept out of the playoffs by a far less skilled team. A year ago, the Kings made quick work of the Canucks and their President's Trophy en route to their first Stanley Cup Championship. This year, the San Jose Sharks took their 6 seed and did the same thing. Vancouver must look at their entire operation, as well as figure out a way to get out of backup goalie Roberto Luongo's massive contract. He doesn't want to be there. The team does not want him, but no one else wants his contract.

2013 Stanley Cup Playoff Team - Vancouver Canucks

It's kind of remarkable that the Vancouver Canucks aren't the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference for the 2013 NHL Playoffs and instead have the No. 3 seed as winners of the Northwest Division. The number two is significant for the Canucks for a couple of reasons. Two twin brothers, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, have been the offensive leaders and identity of this team for some time. Two accomplished goalies, Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo, have provided soap-opera fodder for the fans, with Luongo basically spending the entire season on the trading block despite (or due to) his pedigree and contract. Schneider has performed well despite the massive shadow just over his shoulder and stands to continue as the primary goalie when this team tries once again for the Stanley Cup in 2013.

Click here for Vancouver Canucks NHL Playoff Tickets, Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup Playoff Opponent

And the dagger version of the number two, the one that keeps even the most optimistic Canucks fan up at night, are the two straight President's Trophies earned in the last two seasons; unfortunately, the hardware collection doesn't include a Stanley Cup from either of those years. Two years ago, the Canucks suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final. Riots literally ensued. Last season, the top-seeded Canucks were swept out of the first round by the upstart - and later Stanley Cup winning - Los Angeles Kings. Is the fact that the Prez Trophy will be won by the Blackhawks or Penguins a blessing in disguise? Will the late season charge to overcome the Minnesota Wild and win the division bode well for the grittiness needed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Only time will tell. If Vancouver can bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada, they'll earn a year-long grace period. Maybe even two.

Vancouver Canucks NHL Playoff Tickets

Click back to the Search/events tab for Canucks Playoff tickets and Stanley Cup Finals tickets.

Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup Playoff Opponent

The Canucks have earned home-ice advantage at Rogers Arena, and they may have it in a later round if either the Blackhawks or Ducks should stumble in early rounds.

Odds via

NHL Playoff Preview - Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks - Because It's the Cup

Canucks Beat Blues - March, 2013

5/9/13: As much as things change, they still stay the same. A year ago, Robert Luongo was the established goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks. He struggled early in the playoffs and was replaced by Corey Schnieder. Schnieder outperformed Luongo (who has a Stanley Cup Final and Olympic Gold Medal to his name), and became the starter this season. Schnieder had a mysterious injury, so Luongo started the first two games of the series against the San Jose Sharks. Luongo played well, but lost both games. Guess what, Schnieder is coming back to replace Luongo for the second year in a row.

10/4/12: The Vancouver Canucks have yet to see a big exodus of their players headed to Europe to play out the lockout. Former Canucks star Markus Naslund has been recruiting the Sedin twins to come play for his Moda team in Sweden but so far they have not gone anywhere. Defenseman Kevin Bieksa has skated with an amateur team and is planning a charity game in British Columbia. He will be putting together a team consisting of several of his teammates to play the University of British Columbia hockey team. One player who won?t be there is Ryan Kesler who is still recovering from wrist and shoulder surgery.

9/27/12: The Vancouver Canucks have not seen their big stars leave for Europe yet, but they did send some of their younger players to their AHL team to play during the lockout. This includes Zach Kassian, whom they traded for last year. Kassian figures big in the Canucks plans and would have been on the NHL roster if the season were underway. He is big and physical which is what the Canucks management has said they wanted. They also sent defenseman Chris Tanev back to Chicago as well. Tanev is a steady defenseman who spent most of last year with the Canucks and figures to again after the lockout.

8/16/12: The Vancouver Canucks announced this week that they signed first round draft pick Brendan Gaunce to an entry level contract. The Canucks selected Gaunce with the 26th overall pick in last spring's NHL Draft and he is still a couple of years away from breaking into the NHL. Gaunce played with Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League last year and scored 28 goals and 40 assists and is a strong two-way player. It is hard to say where Gaunce will play next season. He could easily end up with the AHL Chicago Wolves or return to Belleville for another season.

7/26/12: The Vancouver Canucks summer rolled on this week with little news. They re-signed depth winger Dale Weise to a one year contract which allowed them to avoid arbitration but made no other significant news. General Manger Mike Gillis took to the Vancouver radio this week and mentioned that the team had been involved in trying to acquire restricted free agent Shea Weber from Nashville. Gillis said that in the end they decided not to submit an offer sheet as they believed strongly that Nashville would match any offer. That is exactly what happened as the Predators matched the sheet that the Philadelphia Flyers signed Weber to.

5/3/12: The Vancouver Canucks have been sitting quietly after being eliminated by the Kings from the playoffs. That quiet has not stopped the NHL rumor mongers though. After goalie Roberto Luongo mentioned that he would waive his no trade clause in his contract the NHL world was a flutter. Rumors sprung up saying he actually had requested a trade and had given the Canucks a list of teams he was willing to go to. The Canucks denied that report but most fans in Toronto believe that the Maple Leafs are one of the teams that he is willing to go to.

4/26/12: After losing their first round playoff series against the Kings in disappointing fashion there was a lot of big news coming out of Vancouver this week. Roberto Luongo told reporters that he would be willing to waive his no trade clause in his contract if the club asked him to. Luongo has seven years remaining on his contract that pays him 5$ million a year. It is believed that the Canucks would rather hand the reigns over to young Cory Schneider but moving Luongo and that contract may prove difficult. General Manager Mike Gillis also ducked questions about the future of his head coach Alain Vigneault. Stay tuned Vancouver.

4/19/12: The Canucks have had a disappointing playoff run so far. Facing the Los Angeles Kings the top seeded Canucks have dropped the first three games and are in danger of becoming the first President Trophy winning team to get swept in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Injured forward Daniel Sedin was rumored to possibly return to play in Game 4. Sedin has been out with a concussion for the past month and as Vancouver's leading scorer his return would be a huge boost to their struggling offense. Talk is already surfacing in Vancouver about the future of head coach Alain Vigneault should the Canucks bow out in the first round.

Vancouver Canucks Tickets -Team History

Vancouver Canucks tickets allow fans the opportunity to see one of the rising franchises in the NHL's Western Conference. Established in 1970, the Vancouver Canucks joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team along with the Buffalo Sabres. The Canucks play their games at Rogers Arena and have called the venue home since 1995. Watch as the Canucks continue to build their legacy and work to bring the Stanley Cup to Vancouver!

Vancouver Canucks Tickets -Season Info

The Vancouver Canucks are a franchise perennially in a position to win the Stanley Cup. With a roster loaded with veteran leadership, the Canucks are riding high in the NHL's Western Conference. With All-Stars like Ryan Kesler, Henrik Sedin and his twin brother, Daniel, the Canucks are a nightmare of a matchup for whichever team draws them in the playoffs.

Vancouver Canucks Tickets -Ticket Information

Vancouver Canucks tickets ensure that fans see the Canucks playing top contenders throughout the entire NHL season. The Canucks are the odds on favorites to win the Northwest Division in 2011. With matchups against great teams like the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche and non-divisional meetings with Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins, the Canucks are sure to be tested all season long. Grab your Canucks tickets now and don't miss the action!

Related Teams and Bands

• Calgary Flames
• Edmonton Oilers
• Washington Capitals
• New York Rangers
• San Jose Sharks