Canucks Earn Point On Long Island

Despite a great start Monday against the New York Islanders, the Canucks could only salvage a point for their efforts as they fell 2-1 in a shoot-out at the Nassau Coliseum.

Pavol Demitra tallied his third goal of the season just 49 seconds into the game after blasting a one-timer from the right face off circle past Islanders goalie Joey MacDonald. Henrik and Daniel Sedin, who were put on a line with Demitra, both picked up assists to give Demitra four points in his last two games.

MacDonald played well for the rest of the opening period, one that saw the Canucks out-shoot the home team 10-5. However any kind of offensive mindset Vancouver had going into the intermission disappeared in the middle frame as the Islanders came out buzzing. If it wasn't for the netminding efforts of Roberto Luongo, the Canucks could have easily found themselves down by a couple of goals. The lone goal that did get by the Vancouver captain came on a New York power play. Doug Weight's point shot took a deflection off the stick of d-man Shane O'Brien and found its way to the back of the net. Bill Guerin and Frans Neilsen collect the helpers on Weight's 4th of the year at 14:35. That would be the only goal in a period where the Islanders out-shot Vancouver 18-9.

There were not a lot of great scoring chances for either team in the third period. Sami Salo might have had the best on a Canucks power play from the slot, but his wrist shot rattled off the post.

No goals were scored in overtime, despite some fantastic back-and-forth play by both teams. Lawrence Nycholat had two glorious chances late in the extra session, but MacDonald came up big stops to force the game to a shoot-out.

Neilsen was the first and only Islander to beat Luongo and his back handed attempt would be tucked under the cross bar. Josh Bailey and Trent Hunter failed to convert on their opportunities which gave Vancouver some hope. However Kyle Wellwood had his wrist shot denied by MacDonald. Then Demitra's weak attempt was stopped easily by the goaltender. Finally MacDonald's best save came when he poke-checked Alex Burrows on the Canucks last attempt.

Final shots on net were 35-32 in favour of the Islanders. The Canucks finished the game going 0-for-5 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Now with a record of 10-6-2, the Canucks will have Tuesday off in Manhattan to prepare for their next action which will be against the New York Rangers on Wednesday. Game time is 4:30pm PST.