Am I the only one who thinks Burrows and Luongo look like Ren & Stimpy in this photo?
Alex Burrows’s three-point performance in Saturday night’s game 2 victory over the Boston Bruins catapulted the sparkplug winger into the Conn Smythe trophy discussion. Burrows now has two overtime winners in these playoffs, both on fabulous individual efforts. Heroism of that sort tends to get one noticed. But is Burr capable of winning a Conn Smythe that, in the event of a Canucks’ Stanley Cup victory, has Ryan Kesler’s name all but engraved on it? And even if Kesler somehow falls off the map in the Final, aren’t Henrik Sedin, Roberto Luongo, and Kevin Bieksa deserving as well?
It’s a testament to the Canucks’ remarkable depth that they have so many players who could, reasonably, win the playoff MVP, but that same depth is what tends to relegate impact players like Burrows to the background. It’s a shame because, truth is, Burrows has a case. Here are five reasons Alex Burrows could go home with the Conn Smythe.
1 } Burrows won the Canucks a round
Burrows’s last three-point game in the postseason came in game six of Round 1, versus the Chicago Blackhawks. Prior to game six, Burr only had one point, a second assist on this Alex Edler goal. After being moved to the second line with Ryan Kesler prior to game six, a move Alain Vigneault uses semiregularly because it always seems to work, Burrows went off. For all the talk of Kesler’s foray into beast mode versus Nashville, Burrows did something similar in the first round: he singlehandedly dragged the Canucks out of their worst collapse in postseason history with a hand in every one of the five goals the Canucks scored over the final two games. Burrows scored three of those five goals himself, including both goals in the game seven overtime victory, one of which was arguably the greatest goal in Canucks history.
2 } Burr’s Versatility is Bonkers
Burrows’s nine goals are tied for top spot on the Canucks with Daniel Sedin, but they’re far and away the most interesting nine. Had Burrows scored on the penalty shot he was awarded in game 7 of round 1, he would have a goal in every feasible in-game scenario this postseason. Burr is the only player in the playoffs to have scored in the first, second, and third period, overtime, at even-strength, on the powerplay, shorthanded, and unassisted. Burrows is the epitome of the every-situation player, and arguably most versatile forward on the Canucks.
3 } Burr can do it on his own
Speaking of unassisted goals, Burrows has three in the postseason. People often think of Burrows as a pylon off of which the Sedins bank pucks, but he creates much of his own offense.
4 } Burr gobbles up icetime like it’s fingers
Burrows is averaging 21:15 of icetime per game, more than both Daniel and Henrik Sedin (although not combined, but why would you do that?). Burrows is the Canucks’ second most played forward, after Ryan Kesler, but he’s first in deployment. His 639 postseason shifts are tops on the team.
5 } Burr is the even-strength king
While Henrik Sedin leads the postseason in scoring with 21 points, Burrows, who isn’t on the top powerplay unit, actually has four more points at even-strength. Burrows has 15 points 5-on-5, tied for the top spot in the playoffs with Boston’s David Krejci. Henrik Sedin has 11, and no other Canuck has more than 10. Has Burrows been Vancouver’s best even-strength player? This stat says so.
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aidanb
June 6, 2011Double OT? I thought Burr’s 2 OT goals came 5 minutes in and 11 second in.
Daniel Wagner
June 6, 2011You are absolutely correct. I am going to hassle Harrison like crazy when I see him today.
Harrison Mooney
June 6, 2011Yup. That’s what happens when you write a paragraph before you drink a coffee.
Someguy
June 6, 2011Must be thinking of Bieksa’s double OT goal in San Jose. Burrows’ didn’t score in a second OT.
Harrison Mooney
June 6, 2011Too late! We already fixed it. Quit livin’ in the past, Someguy.
J21
June 6, 2011Did you? I still see this:
“Burrows scored three of those five goals himself, including both goals in the game seven double overtime victory, one of which was arguably the greatest goal in Canucks history
Daniel Wagner
June 6, 2011FIXED! FIXED DANGIT!
905Canucklehead
June 6, 2011Reason why he has no chance: The sports writers that still won’t let bite-gate go will be voting.
Marda
June 6, 2011Thank you for making a case for Burrows. I still get shivers watching his OT winner that eliminated the Blackhawks. He is my hero and an indispensable part of this already stellar team.
nuckling
June 6, 2011I’d love to see it happen. The second I saw this post I imediatley thought of Claude Lemiuex due to superficial reasons. But there are some less superficial similarities too.
J21
June 6, 2011“Heroism of that sort tends to get one unnoticed.”
In my experience, it’s the opposite… heh.
PeeSeeGee
June 6, 2011I too would love to see it happen but I don’t see the Hockey Writers voting for him. Luongo doesn’t really get the praise he deserves either. Barring someone doing something startling, from a Canucks perspective, the Conn Smythe is Kesler’s to lose.
Karen
June 6, 2011I’ve loved our studly Frenchman for quite some time. I do, however, feel the need to point out that, while he does create much of his own offense – it’s a heck of a lot easier with the Sedins creating space for him!
PetriSkriko
June 6, 2011Nitpick: wouldn’t an empty net goal also be a feasible situation for a goal?
Where did the wave of trolls go? Back to the TSN and HF boards?
#ohpleaseohpleaseohplease
PetriSkriko
June 6, 2011And I completely agree that Burrows’ OT goal in game 7 of the Chicago series was the most important single goal in Canucks history. Had we lost that game, I can’t even imagine the implications to this city, the team, and my fragile psyche…
But we didn’t. And here we are two wins away from glory. In Burr we trust.