Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

B.C. Beatdown - Leafs Suffer Lopsided Loss to Canucks

February 18, 2012, 10:02 PM ET [620 Comments]
Ken Beckett
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The difference between a team that appeared in last year's Stanley Cup Final and a young, rebuilding one fighting to make the playoffs was on full display on Saturday night, as the Vancouver Canucks earned a massive 6-2 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs for their sixth win in seven games.

Vancouver's top line was on fire in the win. The trio of Alex Burrows with Henrik and Daniel Sedin were tough to handle, registering ten points (3G, 7A) against the Leafs. Leading the way was Daniel Sedin with a goal and three assists en route to first star of the game honours.

Daniel's brother, Henrik, had four assists on the night and was named second star, while linemate Burrows rounded out the three star honours with two goals.

The loss is Toronto's fifth in their last six games. It has been a rough stretch of games for the Maple Leafs as they try to hang on to the eighth in final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Over their last six games, the Leafs have been outscored 25-11 by the opposition.

Vancouver jumped out to an early two-goal lead with goals in a span of 1:27 in the first period. Burrows started the scoring at the 7:49 mark of the first for his 21st goal of the season. That was followed up by a goal from Manny Malhotra, giving him six this season.

Burrows increased the Canucks' lead to three early in the second period, scoring his second of the night at the 3:18 mark of the middle frame. The goal was assisted on by both Sedin brothers. For Daniel, it was his 33rd of the season, while Henrik's assist was his league leading 47th.

Toronto got on the scoreboard at the 6:02 mark of the second. On a delayed penalty, Phil Kessel circled the net and fed Dion Phaneuf who blasted the puck past Roberto Luongo for his ninth goal of the season and first in seven games. Kessel's assist was his 33rd of the season, while John-Michael Liles was credited with the secondary helper for his 18th of the year.

The Sedins got on the scoresheet once again to extend the Canucks' lead, when off a giveaway by the Leafs in their own end, Henrik fed brother Daniel, beating James Reimer for his 25th goal of the season.

Daniel Sedin's goal spelled the end of the night for Reimer as he was replaced by Jonas Gustavsson in net. In his brief outing, Reimer allowed four goals on 18 shots for a .778 save percentage.

The change in goal did not seem to make a difference, because only 1:48 after the switch, Sami Salo scored a power play goal from the point following a bad clearing attempt by Matthew Lombardi to give Vancouver a 5-1 lead. Salo's goal was his seventh of the season and first in 23 games. The Sedin's once again made their presence felt, as the brotherly duo picked up both assists on the play.

Things got even worse for Toronto in the third period, when off a nice passing play, Kevin Bieksa fired the puck past Gustavsson from the slot for his sixth goal of the year to extend Vancouver's lead. Jannik Hansen drew the initial assist on the goal for his 15th of the year. Henrik Sedin drew the secondary helper, giving him an even 50 this season.

With just 20 seconds remaining in regulation, Nikolai Kulemin scored to trim the Canucks' lead to 6-2. Kulemin's goal was his sixth of the season and first in 17 games dating back to his last marker which came on Jan. 10. Luke Schenn was credited with the first assist on the play for his 16th of the year, while Clarke MacArthur drew the secondary helper, giving him 15 this season.

With just his sixth goal of the season, Kulemin is well behind his production as of this time last season. On Feb. 18 of last year's campaign, Kulemin had scored 21 goals.

Kulemin's linemate, pending unrestricted free agent Mikhail Grabovski, was held without a point for his sixth-straight game. Over that span, the 28-year old Grabovski has registered a plus/minus rating of minus-three. Grabovski's current slump matches ties a six-game drought in which he went without a point from Nov. 5-27 earlier this season.

Despite their lopsided loss in Vancouver, the Leafs still find themselves holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Washington Capitals, who sit one point back of Toronto, suffered a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Washington holds one game in hand over Toronto however.

The Leafs are back in action on Tuesday when they return to the Air Canada Centre for a four-game homestand, kicking things off against the New Jersey Devils.

Leafs vs. Canucks Stats Recap

Shots
TOR: 26
VAN: 36

Shot Leaders
TOR: Joffrey Lupul (5)
VAN: Daniel Sedin (5)

Power Play
TOR: 0/2
VAN: 1/2

Blocked Shots
TOR: 12
VAN: 21

Blocked Shot Leaders
TOR: Aulie, Grabovski and Steckel tied w/ two each
VAN: Chris Tanev (4)

Hits
TOR: 32
VAN: 18

Hits Leaders
TOR: Armstrong, Aulie, Brown and Schenn tied w/ four each
VAN: Kevin Bieksa (3)

Face-Offs
TOR: 30/55 (55%)
VAN: 25/55 (45%)

Face-Off Leaders -Min. 10 opportunities
TOR: Mikhail Grabovski - 8/12 (67%)
VAN: Ryan Kesler & Manny Malhotra tied (64%)

Time on Ice Leaders
TOR: Dion Phaneuf (25:48)
VAN: Alex Edler (22:24)

Three Stars
1) Daniel Sedin - VAN (1G, 3A)
2) Henrik Sedin - VAN (0G, 4A)
3) Alex Burrows - VAN (2G, 0A)

Game Highlights


For up-to-the-minute Leafs news and updates, be sure to follow Ken Beckett on Twitter:


KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz. For more information click here.





Join the Discussion: » 620 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Ken Beckett
» Going Camping - Leafs Announce Prospect Camp Roster
» Leafs at NHL Draft - Day 2 - Finn-ish Flash, Monster Moved and More!
» Ready for Rielly - Leafs Select Morgan Rielly Fifth Overall at NHL Draft
» 'Marked by Failure' - Brian Burke Apologizes, Reflects on Leafs' Season
» Max-imum Effort - Pacioretty Scores Game Winner as Habs Dump Leafs