CSNNE.com StaffFollow @csnnewengland
VANCOUVER -- The Bruins chose not to hold a morning skate this morning prior to Game 5, but the Canucks practiced and then met the press. Some highlights, courtesy Comcast SportsNet's Mike Giardi and Kevin Walsh:
Coach Alain Vigneault on Ryan Kesler's line: "They've got to take it to the net, stay in front and compete for that netfront presence. All those guys can do that."
Both Sedin boys -- dubbed "Thelma and Louise" by ex-Bruin defenseman and coach Mike Milbury -- said they didn't feel "pressure" playing at home, despite what happened in the two games at Boston. Thing is, no one mentioned the word "pressure".
Daniel Sedin laughed when he was reminded that Thelma and Louise killed a guy.
Henrik Sedin: "I like the situation we're in. Two of the next three at home. If you had offered me this months ago, I'd have taken it."
Kesler and Henrik Sedin both smiled about having the last change. "This is what we played the 82 games in the regular season for," says Henrik Sedin.
Kesler was asked if he's hurt. "No." Then he was asked if he would say if he were. "No."
Boston Bruins
When asked if Chris Tanev would be in the lineup tonight in place of Keith Ballard, Vigneault replied: "We'll see."
When asked if Dan Hamhuis, who was injured early in the series, was going to make the trip to Boston for Game 6, Vigneault replied: "Yes." When asked if there was any chance of him playing, Vigneault merely said, "He's day-to-day."
Henrik Sedin says that the Canucks' 1-for-22 performance on the power play is surprising, but he feels there have been opportunities. "Rebounds are there," he said. "We just have to get to them."
Aaron Rome, who's suspended for the remainder of the aseason, was on the ice for the Canucks. Rome's agent, Jarrett Bousquet, said two days ago they were considering an appeal.
The Canucks seemed fairly loose here. Hamhuis didn't participate, but it was a full skate otherwise.
When asked Thursday about his confidence level and whether he expected to start Game 5, goalie Roberto Luongo answered an entirely different question -- albeit politely -- about how the Canucks didn't play well as a team. It was similar to a politician who has their own talking points and answers their own questions. It's evasive, but telling; as if the inner truth is too difficult to be voiced. But Vigneault stood by his man when asked directly whether Luongo would start Game 5. "You can bet on it. He's my guy."