Sedins mean trouble

"Right now, it's the Stanley Cup and there's nothing after that," said Henrik, the older of the twins by six minutes.

It has been 12 years since former Canucks general manager Brian Burke worked some draft day razzle-dazzle to land the Swedes with the second and third overall selections believing they would one day lead Vancouver to a Stanley Cup.

Now, back in the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1994, that day is as close as it has ever been since the red-headed Swedes arrived in Vancouver with only the San Jose Sharks in their way of a berth in the Stanley Cup final.

If the Canucks are to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup, it will require a considerable contribution from "the Twins," as Daniel and Henrik are known in Vancouver.

But despite advancing to the Western Conference finals the Sedins have not yet lived up to the high standards expected from the last two NHL scoring champions.

Last season, Henrik claimed the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player after leading the league in scoring. This season, it was Daniel's turn to wear the scoring crown and as a Hart finalist could replace his brother as MVP.

But despite that offensive threat, it has been Ryan Kesler leading the play-off scoring race for Vancouver with five goals and 16 points in 14 games while Daniel has scored six times and Henrik just twice.

Made of sturdy stuff, the two Swedes are among the NHL's most durable players.

Henrik has not missed a single game the last six seasons but there has been talk that his lack of production in these play-offs is linked to injury.

His play had come under increasing scrutiny, especially as he entered the conference final with only an empty-net goal to show for his efforts in 13 post-season games.

But the Vancouver captain emerged from his slump with a nifty goal and an assist in Vancouver's 3-2 victory in the series opener against San Jose, signaling that the Swedes just might be back at the top of their games.

"One was the most valuable player in the league last year, one could to be the most valuable player in the league this year. Do we worry about them? Absolutely," said Sharks coach Todd McLellan. "I know we have a ton of respect for them."

There is no mistaking the unique chemistry Daniel and Henrik have both on and off the ice.

Since they were eight years old and began playing organised hockey they have not only been on the same team but mostly on the same line, further sharpening the mystical sixth sense that many believe exists between twins.

While they are identical twins, even some team mates and coaches have trouble telling them apart, they possess slightly different skill sets with Henrik recognised as the better setup man and Daniel the better shooter.

But they share the same calm demeanour and understanding of what it takes to play and thrive in one of Canada's most hockey obsessed cities.

"It's never going to change, it's always going to be the same," said Henrik. "Either you like it and you enjoy playing under pressure or you're moving out of there.

"That's the way it is. We really enjoy playing where people care. There's a lot of attention on the team, so that's not a problem for us."

Added Daniel: "You either embrace it, or you choose not to play in a Canadian city or in the NHL. You have to like playing under pressure.

"Things go bad, things go good, you have to stay the same. That's the number one thing."