Make it seven straight wins on home ice for the Canucks and it comes with their first win in a long time against the San Jose Sharks. Saturday night, the Canucks had a fantastic start and were able use it to their advantage on their way to a 3-1 win at GM Place.
Alexander Edler was able to open the scoring for the home team with the two sides skating 4-on-4. Ryan Kesler was able to move the puck to the point for Mattias Ohlund who dished it off to his defence partner. His shot whistled past Alex Burrows who had set up a screen in front of netminder Brian Boucher. Edler gets credit for 8th of the season at 3:15. The assist by Ohlund also moved him into a tie with Dennis Kearns and Jyrki Lumme for the Canucks record for points by a defenceman (321).
A few shifts later, the Canucks built their lead on a great passing play down low behind the Sharks net. Kesler was able to cycle the puck to the end boards for Pavol Demitra. His quick feed in front found a wide open Mats Sundin, who made no mistake beating Boucher to the back hand. Sundin entered the game having gone ten straight without scoring. That streak snapped with his 7th of the season at 6:02.
Roberto Luongo did his part to keep the Canucks in the lead for the remainder of the period. His best save out of the ten shots he faced came with a big blocker-hand stop off of Milan Michalek at the side of the net.
The Canucks had some great opportunities to put the game out of reach in the second period during three straight power plays. However they weren't able to beat Boucher who was able to give his team a chance.
Eventually the Sharks were able to get on the scoreboard and it came on a power play. Rob Blake wound up having a shot from long range go off the back of his foot into the slot for Jonathan Cheechoo. He dished a quick pass to a wide open Joe Thorton who had no trouble snapping home his 18th of the season. What proved to be the lone goal for San Jose occured with just three seconds to go before the 2nd intermission.
The two squads got involved in a very tight-checking style of play for the first eight-to-ten minutes of the third period which didn't result in many scoring chances. Vancouver did eventually restore their two-goal lead after Devin Setoguchi took a careless holding penatly. Kevin Bieksa's shot from long range along the ice found its way underneath Boucher. Sami Salo and Daniel Sedin pick up the helpers on Bieksa's 11th of the year at 11:48.
Luongo's best save of the night came with just under five minutes to play. Cheechoo was left all alone at the top of the crease and looked to have the Canucks captain beat. However his wrist shot wound up being snagged by the glove hand of Luongo as he laid on his stomach. That would be the last great chance for either team in the game as the Canucks hung on for their 12th win in their last 14 games.
Final shots on net were even at 29-29. The Canucks wound up going 1-for-6 on the power play while the Sharks finished the night 1-for-3.
Having improved their overall record to 34-22-8, the Canucks now find themselves with 76 points and are just five points behind the Chicago Blackhawks for home ice advantage in the playoffs. Next up for Vancouver will be a pair of road games next week in California. They'll start things off Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Game time at the Staples Center will be 7:30pm PST.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Canucks/Sharks Game Day
The Canucks (33-22-8) get set for their fourth and final meeting of the season against the NHL-leading San Jose Sharks (42-11-10).
The Sharks are 3-0-0 against Vancouver this season, having out-scored the opposition 11-3. Daniel Sedin, Taylor Pyatt and Mats Sundin have scored for the Canucks while Henrik Sedin has chipped in three assists. Patrick Marleau (4g,3a), Joe Thorton (1g,5a), and Devin Setoguchi (2g,1a) lead and San Jose players in head-to-head scoring. The Canucks have gone a combined 1-for-9 on the power play against San Jose while the Sharks have gone 5-for-16.
The Canucks are 11-3-1 in their last 15 games, a record that was clearly printed on the chalkboard inside the visitors locker room this morning. Vancouver is also riding a six-game home-ice winning streak, out-scoring their opponents 24-12 in that span. In the last two games, eight points have been generated by the line of Alex Burrows (3g), Henrik Sedin (3a), and Daniel Sedin (2a). The Canucks are also an impressive 12-3-0 when Burrows scores this season.
Despite leading the NHL with 94 points, the Sharks have lost three straight and have just one win in their last five games. They are without the services of their #1 goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who's missed the last four games (2-flu, 2-lower body injury). Brian Boucher is their go-to-guy now in net, sporting a 10-3-3 record in 17 appearances this season.
Travis Moen will make his debut in a Sharks uniform tonight. Acquired at the NHL trade deadline from the Anaheim Ducks, the former Stanley Cup game winning goal scorer will play on a line with Jonathan Cheechoo and Tomas Plihal.
Here are the expected line-ups for both teams:
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Burrows
Demitra - Sundin - Kesler
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Hordichuk - Johnson - Raymond
Mitchell - Salo
Ohlund - Edler
Bieksa - O'Brien
Luongo
LaBarbera
Sharks:
Patrick Marleau - Joe Thorton - Devin Setoguchi
Milan Michalek - Joe Pavalski - Ryane Clowe
Travis Moen - Tomas Plihal - Jonathan Cheechoo
Jody Shelley - Jamie McGinn - Brad Staubitz
Rob Blake - Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Douglas Murray - Dan Boyle
Brad Lukowich - Christian Ehrhoff/Alexi Semenov
Brian Boucher
Thomas Greiss
The Sharks are 3-0-0 against Vancouver this season, having out-scored the opposition 11-3. Daniel Sedin, Taylor Pyatt and Mats Sundin have scored for the Canucks while Henrik Sedin has chipped in three assists. Patrick Marleau (4g,3a), Joe Thorton (1g,5a), and Devin Setoguchi (2g,1a) lead and San Jose players in head-to-head scoring. The Canucks have gone a combined 1-for-9 on the power play against San Jose while the Sharks have gone 5-for-16.
The Canucks are 11-3-1 in their last 15 games, a record that was clearly printed on the chalkboard inside the visitors locker room this morning. Vancouver is also riding a six-game home-ice winning streak, out-scoring their opponents 24-12 in that span. In the last two games, eight points have been generated by the line of Alex Burrows (3g), Henrik Sedin (3a), and Daniel Sedin (2a). The Canucks are also an impressive 12-3-0 when Burrows scores this season.
Despite leading the NHL with 94 points, the Sharks have lost three straight and have just one win in their last five games. They are without the services of their #1 goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who's missed the last four games (2-flu, 2-lower body injury). Brian Boucher is their go-to-guy now in net, sporting a 10-3-3 record in 17 appearances this season.
Travis Moen will make his debut in a Sharks uniform tonight. Acquired at the NHL trade deadline from the Anaheim Ducks, the former Stanley Cup game winning goal scorer will play on a line with Jonathan Cheechoo and Tomas Plihal.
Here are the expected line-ups for both teams:
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Burrows
Demitra - Sundin - Kesler
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Hordichuk - Johnson - Raymond
Mitchell - Salo
Ohlund - Edler
Bieksa - O'Brien
Luongo
LaBarbera
Sharks:
Patrick Marleau - Joe Thorton - Devin Setoguchi
Milan Michalek - Joe Pavalski - Ryane Clowe
Travis Moen - Tomas Plihal - Jonathan Cheechoo
Jody Shelley - Jamie McGinn - Brad Staubitz
Rob Blake - Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Douglas Murray - Dan Boyle
Brad Lukowich - Christian Ehrhoff/Alexi Semenov
Brian Boucher
Thomas Greiss
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Gillis Stands Pat Through Deadline
No trades for the Canucks today as the NHL deadline has come and gone.
Plenty of rumours circulating throughout the morning on the Canucks interest in Jay Bouwmeester. However the d-man from the Florida Panthers was never moved.
GM Mike Gillis will speak to the media at 12:45pm PST.
Plenty of rumours circulating throughout the morning on the Canucks interest in Jay Bouwmeester. However the d-man from the Florida Panthers was never moved.
GM Mike Gillis will speak to the media at 12:45pm PST.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Burrows Inks 4-yr/$8 million Deal
From the official press release courtesy of the Canucks this evening:
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that forward Alex Burrows has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension through the 2012-13 NHL season. Burrows is currently playing his fourth season as a Vancouver Canuck.
“Alex plays with intensity and determination at both ends of the rink,” said Mike Gillis. “He’s a fierce competitor and a versatile player. We look forward to further growth and development in his game.”
Burrows, 27, has set new career highs this season with 16 goals, 33 points (16-17-33) and 105 penalty minutes in 62 games played. Including the 2008-09 season, Burrows has 85 points (38-47-85) and 438 penalty minutes through 268 career NHL games with Vancouver.
The 6’1”, 197 lbs. native of Pincourt, Quebec originally signed with Vancouver as a free agent on November 8, 2005.
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that forward Alex Burrows has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension through the 2012-13 NHL season. Burrows is currently playing his fourth season as a Vancouver Canuck.
“Alex plays with intensity and determination at both ends of the rink,” said Mike Gillis. “He’s a fierce competitor and a versatile player. We look forward to further growth and development in his game.”
Burrows, 27, has set new career highs this season with 16 goals, 33 points (16-17-33) and 105 penalty minutes in 62 games played. Including the 2008-09 season, Burrows has 85 points (38-47-85) and 438 penalty minutes through 268 career NHL games with Vancouver.
The 6’1”, 197 lbs. native of Pincourt, Quebec originally signed with Vancouver as a free agent on November 8, 2005.
Canucks/Wild Game Day
The Canucks (32-22-8) play their final game before the NHL trade deadline tonight as they entertain the Minnesota Wild (30-26-5). The Canucks are 3-0-1 against the Wild this season, having out-scored the opposition 10-7. Henrik Sedin (6a), Kevin Bieksa (1g,3a), and Daniel Sedin (2g,1a) lead Vancouver in head-to-head scoring while Mikko Koivu (4g), Marc-Andre Bergeron (2g,1a), and Pierre-Marc Bouchard (3a) lead all Wild skaters.
The Canucks are riding a season-high five-game home ice winning streak into tonight's game. They are also an impressive 9-4-3 against Northwest Division rivals. In the last seven games, a combined 24 points have come from the line of Daniel Sedin (2g,5a), Henrik Sedin (2g,7a), and Alex Burrows (3g,5a). Mattias Ohlund is one point shy from tying Jyrki Lumme and Dennis Kearns for the franchise record for points by a defenceman (321).
The Wild come to town hitting the midway point of a season-high six game road trip. Having lost their first two games against Calgary and Edmonton, Minnesota currently sits seven points back of the Canucks and two points out of a playoff spot.
Wild #1 netminder Niklas Backstrom shouldn't have any trouble being motivated for tonight's game. Fresh off signing a 4-year contract extension this morning, Backstrom will be making roughly $6 million per season.
Here are the expected line-ups for both teams heading into tonight's game:
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Burrows
Demitra - Sundin - Kesler
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Hordichuk - Johnson - Raymond
Mitchell - Salo
Ohlund - Edler
Bieksa - O'Brien
Luongo
LaBarbera
Wild:
Andrew Brunette - Mikko Koivu - Antti Miettinen
Owen Nolan - Eric Belanger - Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Stephane Veilleux - James Sheppard - Cal Clutterbuck
Dan Fritsche - Peter Olvecky - Craig Weller/Colton Gillies
Brent Burns - Nick Schultz
Kim Johnsson - Martin Skoula
Marc-Andre Bergeron - Marek Zidlicky
Niklas Backstrom
Josh Harding
The Canucks are riding a season-high five-game home ice winning streak into tonight's game. They are also an impressive 9-4-3 against Northwest Division rivals. In the last seven games, a combined 24 points have come from the line of Daniel Sedin (2g,5a), Henrik Sedin (2g,7a), and Alex Burrows (3g,5a). Mattias Ohlund is one point shy from tying Jyrki Lumme and Dennis Kearns for the franchise record for points by a defenceman (321).
The Wild come to town hitting the midway point of a season-high six game road trip. Having lost their first two games against Calgary and Edmonton, Minnesota currently sits seven points back of the Canucks and two points out of a playoff spot.
Wild #1 netminder Niklas Backstrom shouldn't have any trouble being motivated for tonight's game. Fresh off signing a 4-year contract extension this morning, Backstrom will be making roughly $6 million per season.
Here are the expected line-ups for both teams heading into tonight's game:
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Burrows
Demitra - Sundin - Kesler
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Hordichuk - Johnson - Raymond
Mitchell - Salo
Ohlund - Edler
Bieksa - O'Brien
Luongo
LaBarbera
Wild:
Andrew Brunette - Mikko Koivu - Antti Miettinen
Owen Nolan - Eric Belanger - Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Stephane Veilleux - James Sheppard - Cal Clutterbuck
Dan Fritsche - Peter Olvecky - Craig Weller/Colton Gillies
Brent Burns - Nick Schultz
Kim Johnsson - Martin Skoula
Marc-Andre Bergeron - Marek Zidlicky
Niklas Backstrom
Josh Harding
Sunday, March 1, 2009
5th Straight Home Win Comes vs Blue Jackets
The Vancouver Canucks collected a valuable pair of points Sunday evening in their race to solidify a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Canucks collected a goal in each period and posted a decent start-to-finish effort in a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The victory pushes Vancouver four points clear of Columbus for 5th spot in the conference standings.
Blue Jackets netminder Steve Mason was tested plenty in the opening period of play and the Canucks came out with a lot of pressure in the Columbus territory. Just when it looked like the 20 year-old Calder Trophy candidate might be able to get to the intermission break without allowing a goal, the Canucks were able to capitalize on a 5-on-3 man advantage. Mats Sundin worked the puck to the left boards for Henrik Sedin, who dished a pass to the point for Sami Salo. With time winding down on the clock, Salo was able to step into a drive that found its way past Mason. Salo now has five goals on the season, all of which have come on the power play, and this one occured with five seconds to go in the session.
The Canucks built on their lead early in the middle frame. Just as a power play had expired for Vancouver, Sundin was able release a drive from the left face off circle. It wound up being deflected off the stick of Ryan Kesler and past the Jackets puck-stopper. Mattias Ohlund collects the other assist on the goal, moving him one point shy of former Canuck d-men Jyrki Lumme and Dennis Kearns for the Canucks all-time record in scoring amongst blue liners. Meantime, Kesler collects his 19th goal of the campaign, which also proved to be his first game-winning tally of the year and it came at 1:42.
The shut-out bid of Roberto Luongo wound up being broken in the early portion of the third period. After seeing just 12 shots through the opening 40 minutes, Luongo wound up denying Rick Nash on a wrap-around chance. However the Columbus captain was able to follow-up and snap home a second opportunity beside the net. Manny Malhotra and Marc Methot help Nash score his team-leading 27th goal of the season at 6:18.
The Canucks didn't panic after Nash scored and were able to restore their two-goal lead past the midway point of the period. Daniel Sedin led a 3-on-1 rush into the Jackets zone down the right wing. He was able to drop a pass high into the slot for Alex Burrows, who was able to whistle a bullet past Mason to the top corner. Burrows now has 16 goals of the year and this capped off the scoring for the night at 11:51.
Final shot totals favoured the Canucks 30-20. The Canucks wound up going 1-for-5 on the power play while the Blue Jackets, sporting the worst power play percentage in the NHL, wound up going 0-for-5.
With the victory, the Canucks improve their overall record to 32-22-8. 28 of Vancouver's wins this season have come when they have allowed their opponents three goals or less.
Next up for the Canucks will be their final game before Wednesday's NHL trade deadline. Tuesday evening, the Canucks will entertain the Minnesota Wild. Game time is 7:00pm PST.
Blue Jackets netminder Steve Mason was tested plenty in the opening period of play and the Canucks came out with a lot of pressure in the Columbus territory. Just when it looked like the 20 year-old Calder Trophy candidate might be able to get to the intermission break without allowing a goal, the Canucks were able to capitalize on a 5-on-3 man advantage. Mats Sundin worked the puck to the left boards for Henrik Sedin, who dished a pass to the point for Sami Salo. With time winding down on the clock, Salo was able to step into a drive that found its way past Mason. Salo now has five goals on the season, all of which have come on the power play, and this one occured with five seconds to go in the session.
The Canucks built on their lead early in the middle frame. Just as a power play had expired for Vancouver, Sundin was able release a drive from the left face off circle. It wound up being deflected off the stick of Ryan Kesler and past the Jackets puck-stopper. Mattias Ohlund collects the other assist on the goal, moving him one point shy of former Canuck d-men Jyrki Lumme and Dennis Kearns for the Canucks all-time record in scoring amongst blue liners. Meantime, Kesler collects his 19th goal of the campaign, which also proved to be his first game-winning tally of the year and it came at 1:42.
The shut-out bid of Roberto Luongo wound up being broken in the early portion of the third period. After seeing just 12 shots through the opening 40 minutes, Luongo wound up denying Rick Nash on a wrap-around chance. However the Columbus captain was able to follow-up and snap home a second opportunity beside the net. Manny Malhotra and Marc Methot help Nash score his team-leading 27th goal of the season at 6:18.
The Canucks didn't panic after Nash scored and were able to restore their two-goal lead past the midway point of the period. Daniel Sedin led a 3-on-1 rush into the Jackets zone down the right wing. He was able to drop a pass high into the slot for Alex Burrows, who was able to whistle a bullet past Mason to the top corner. Burrows now has 16 goals of the year and this capped off the scoring for the night at 11:51.
Final shot totals favoured the Canucks 30-20. The Canucks wound up going 1-for-5 on the power play while the Blue Jackets, sporting the worst power play percentage in the NHL, wound up going 0-for-5.
With the victory, the Canucks improve their overall record to 32-22-8. 28 of Vancouver's wins this season have come when they have allowed their opponents three goals or less.
Next up for the Canucks will be their final game before Wednesday's NHL trade deadline. Tuesday evening, the Canucks will entertain the Minnesota Wild. Game time is 7:00pm PST.
Canucks/Blue Jackets Game Day
The Canucks (31-22-8) meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (31-25-6) for the fourth and final time this season. The Canucks have a two-point lead on the Jackets, and have a game in hand on Columbus after tonight's game.
Columbus has won all three previous meetings this season against Vancouver. In their last match-up Jan. 18 at GM Place, the Canucks blew a 3-1 lead in the first period, came back from a 5-3 deficit in the third period, and wound up falling 6-5 in a shoot-out. Kevin Bieksa (3g,1a), Kyle Wellwood (2g,1a), and Henrik Sedin (1g,2a) lead the Canucks in head-to-head scoring while Rick Nash (2g,5a), Kristian Huselius (2g,3a), and Mike Commodore (1g,2a) lead the Blue Jackets.
The Canucks are coming off a lack-luster 2-1 win at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning last Friday. The Canucks wrap up the month going 9-2-0 in February after a disappointing 2-5-5 record in January. The Canucks are also currently riding a four-game home ice winning streak. During that streak, Vancouver has allowed just three power play goals against in ten short-handed situations. Ryan Kesler is poised to play his 300th career regular season came tonight for the Canucks.
The Jackets are 7-2-1 in their last ten games and are getting fantastic goaltending from 20 year-old rookie Steve Mason. He's coming off a 1-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. It was his NHL-leading 8th shut-out of the year, five of which have come away from Columbus. The last time a NHL rookie goalie had eight shut-outs in one season was in the 1971-72 season, when Ken Dryden did it for the Montreal Canadiens.
Blue Jackets bench boss Ken Hitchcock recenty became a member of the 500-win club. He currently sits 11th overall in all-time wins as a Head Coach in the NHL.
Here are the expected line-ups for both teams for tonight's game at 5:00pm:
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Burrows
Demitra - Sundin - Kesler
Raymond - Wellwood - Bernier
Hordichuk - Johnson - Pyatt
Mitchell - Salo
Ohlund - Edler
Bieksa - O'Brien
Luongo
LaBarbera
Blue Jackets
Rick Nash - Jason Williams - Jakub Voracek
Kristian Huselius - Manny Malhotra - R.J. Umberger
Raffi Torres - Michael Peca - Jared Boll
Andrew Murray - Chris Gratton - Derek Dorsett
Jan Hejda - Mike Commodore
Fedor Tyutin - Marc Methot
Kris Russell - Aaron Rome
Steve Mason
Wade Dubielewicz
Columbus has won all three previous meetings this season against Vancouver. In their last match-up Jan. 18 at GM Place, the Canucks blew a 3-1 lead in the first period, came back from a 5-3 deficit in the third period, and wound up falling 6-5 in a shoot-out. Kevin Bieksa (3g,1a), Kyle Wellwood (2g,1a), and Henrik Sedin (1g,2a) lead the Canucks in head-to-head scoring while Rick Nash (2g,5a), Kristian Huselius (2g,3a), and Mike Commodore (1g,2a) lead the Blue Jackets.
The Canucks are coming off a lack-luster 2-1 win at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning last Friday. The Canucks wrap up the month going 9-2-0 in February after a disappointing 2-5-5 record in January. The Canucks are also currently riding a four-game home ice winning streak. During that streak, Vancouver has allowed just three power play goals against in ten short-handed situations. Ryan Kesler is poised to play his 300th career regular season came tonight for the Canucks.
The Jackets are 7-2-1 in their last ten games and are getting fantastic goaltending from 20 year-old rookie Steve Mason. He's coming off a 1-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. It was his NHL-leading 8th shut-out of the year, five of which have come away from Columbus. The last time a NHL rookie goalie had eight shut-outs in one season was in the 1971-72 season, when Ken Dryden did it for the Montreal Canadiens.
Blue Jackets bench boss Ken Hitchcock recenty became a member of the 500-win club. He currently sits 11th overall in all-time wins as a Head Coach in the NHL.
Here are the expected line-ups for both teams for tonight's game at 5:00pm:
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Burrows
Demitra - Sundin - Kesler
Raymond - Wellwood - Bernier
Hordichuk - Johnson - Pyatt
Mitchell - Salo
Ohlund - Edler
Bieksa - O'Brien
Luongo
LaBarbera
Blue Jackets
Rick Nash - Jason Williams - Jakub Voracek
Kristian Huselius - Manny Malhotra - R.J. Umberger
Raffi Torres - Michael Peca - Jared Boll
Andrew Murray - Chris Gratton - Derek Dorsett
Jan Hejda - Mike Commodore
Fedor Tyutin - Marc Methot
Kris Russell - Aaron Rome
Steve Mason
Wade Dubielewicz
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