Well folks we have made it through the first week of the postseason. It has been a great start with some gritty hockey being played. The time has come to hand out this weeks Mr. Canola award.
Winner: Brayden Schenn, St.Louis Blues
Embed from Getty ImagesI know I know. Brayden Schenn? How the hell can he be honoured with the prestigious award of Mr. Canola. That’s what you’re all thinking right now. Sure, it sounds a little odd. He had himself a tough first round against the Avalanche. Who didn’t on the Blues. They got their asses completely handed to them on a platter.
1 goal and 0 assists in the 4 games. Not a very good look for a guy the Blues count on to chip in offensively.
His stat line is certainly not the reason I am giving him this award. It was his work away from the puck that really stood out to me. His willingness to engage with the “game within the game” if you will.
With one shift, he completely changed the momentum of the series. By going full Jordin Tootoo and catching Mikko Rantanen cutting across the middle he woke up a sleeping beast. Up until that point the score was 0-0, but the Blues were all over the Avs. After that? Colorado went on to outscore the Blues 20-7 and complete the sweep.
The hit was a borderline knee, and had Rantanen been injured on the play I am sure I would feel differently. I liked the hit though. Guys can’t be cutting across the middle this time of year and not expect some type of repercussion.
His really MVP move though was shedding the mitts immediately after with Avalanche captain and Swedish sex symbol Gabriel Landeskog. Landy proceeded to lay down a beating on Schenn which fired up both the Colorado bench and the fans in attendance at Ball Arena. After that my Avs never looked back.
For that I thank you Mr. Schenn.