Tuesday April 3 - Vancouver Canucks vs. Vegas Golden Knights - 7 p.m. - Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet 650
Vancouver Canucks: 79 GP, 30-40-9, 69 pts, 27th overall Vegas Golden Knights: 79 GP, 50-22-7, 107 pts, first in Pacific Division
The Sedins' retirement announcement has spiked demand for tickets for the Vancouver Canucks' last two home games this season—and tonight is Daniel's bobblehead night, to boot!
Bobble, bobble! #Canucks vs. Golden Knights on Daniel Sedin bobblehead night! Doors open at 5:30 pm. pic.twitter.com/KkvLWTZ5NA
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 3, 2018
There are only 8,000 bobbleheads available, so make sure you get there early if you're going to the game. You don't want to miss out!
After listening to the twins' presser on Monday, it seems that they have known for awhile that this year has been their last trip around the dance floor. The bobblehead nights are an indication that the organization may also have been aware that the end was near.
All day yesterday, words of tribute came down from former teammates, opponents, coaches and broadcasters.
Roberto Luongo set aside his usual snark in favour of sincerity:
I was lucky enough to have had a chance to play with Hank and Danny for 8 seasons. Two of the greatest players of all time. The best of teammates I’ve ever had and the nicest people you’ll ever meet! They truly were great ambassadors for the game.
— Strombone (@strombone1) April 3, 2018
But Kevin Bieksa squeezes in a loving jab:
Henke pretending to be happy for Danny 🙄. Danny pretending he doesn’t love the picture that’s now hanging in his bedroom! Two of the best teammates and friends possible. Happy to have shared the journey with you boys!! #coffee #horses #pickledherring #morecoffee #hottubs pic.twitter.com/r7lnevjjYS
— Kevin Bieksa (@kbieksa3) April 2, 2018
And Alain Vigneault just brings the love:
Vigneault on Sedins: "They were the guys, not only by what they did on the ice but how they conducted themselves. I loved coaching in Vancouver. I loved the fans, I loved the team., loved the culture. The twins are 100 times more than I am."
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) April 2, 2018
Henrik Lundqvist talked about following in their footsteps as a Swedish hockey-playing twin:
I spoke to Henrik Lundqvist this evening about Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Here is Lundqvist talking about the Sedins and what they meant for him as a twin: pic.twitter.com/Kvx0mM8dC2
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) April 2, 2018
Ryan Smyth reminisced about the rivalry:
@Canucks Daniel and Henrik are two of the classiest players I ever played against. They are fierce competitors who played the game the right way. It was a pleasure to battle against them over the years. Enjoy your family now! Congrats on a great career!
— Ryan Smyth (@RealSmytty94) April 2, 2018
Smyth was the subject of one of the twins' signature gestures after he played his last NHL game at Rexall Place back in 2014:
So the Sedins' final game will be in Edm Saturday. I remember Ryan Smyth's last game was vs Vanc at Rexall and Henrik made sure that all Canucks shook Smyth's hand when game was over. Classy guys those Sedins
— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) April 2, 2018
I hope the Oilers show them similar respect on Saturday.
Brian Burke truly pulled a rabbit out of a hat when he figured out a way to draft Daniel and Henrik together back in 1999. They're the only players from their draft year to crack 1,000 points. The next-highest first rounder was Martin Havlat, chosen 26th overall by Ottawa, who managed 594 points in 790 career games. After the twins, the highest-scoring players to come out of that draft were sleepers: Henrik Zetterberg (chosen 210th overall, 954 career points) and Radim Vrbata (212th overall, 623 career points).
I like this idea, too:
Dear @CityofVancouver @Canucks - I am the commissioner of the Pavel Demitra Memorial Hockey Pool, a longstanding Vancouver based @NHL pool/institution. A member today suggested that 22nd ave be renamed “Daniel… & 33rd “Henrik…. Let’s do it!
— Inner City Farms (@inner_cityfarms) April 2, 2018
Let's give the last word to Victor Hedman, via Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star: "They're one of a kind. But, obviously, two guys."
I expect it will be very emotional at the old barn tonight, when the twins play their second-last home game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Yes, the expansion team has clinched first place in the Pacific Division. And yes, they've beaten the Canucks by three-goal margins in each of their three previous meetings this season.
But the Canucks are riding their four-game win streak and should have a loud, packed house cheering them on at Rogers Arena tonight.
Last place overall is now officially off the table after Buffalo's loss to Toronto last night. The Sabres have just three games left to play, and the Canucks are seven points up.
Just an optional skate this morning at Rogers Arena:
Optional #Canucks skate, 10 players and Nilsson on the ice. pic.twitter.com/uXDH08ngjC
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 3, 2018
One lineup note emerged yesterday: Reid Boucher joins the injured list after a shot-block on Saturday against Columbus.
Travis Green tells media that Reid Boucher has a broken hand. Not good for the Comets playoff run. #Canucks
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) April 2, 2018
That makes room for Brendan Leipsic to draw back in against his old team.
Brendan Leipsic confirms he’s ready to go and will play for the #Canucks tonight.
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) April 3, 2018
He's expected to join a line with Jake Virtanen and Adam Gaudette.
We're also closely watching the status of Jonathan Dahlen over in Sweden.
With his team trailing 3-1 in its Allsvenskan league qualification series against Karlskrona on Tuesday, Dahlen chipped in his seventh goal of the postseason on the way to a 3-1 win for Timra in Game 5 of the series, keeping their hopes of moving up to the SHL next season alive.
Dahlen's now up to 12 points in eight postseason games. Game 6 goes Wednesday.
The plan is for Dahlen to come over as soon as his playoff is done—to join Utica, but also to be the Canucks' final AHL callup of the year and see some NHL action.
It's getting down to the wire now: if Timra loses on Wednesday, he might pull it off but if they win, Game 7 goes Friday, which could put the plan in serious doubt.
Regardless of the timing, he is expected to join a Comets lineup that's just as injury-depleted as its parent club for the rest of the AHL regular season and the playoffs.
One note on Vegas: keep an eye on William "Wild Bill" Karlsson tonight. He's up to 42 goals on the year—just four behind leader Alex Ovechkin, and was named the NHL's First Star of the week on Monday. If, somehow, you missed it—check out this magic:
William Karlsson might have just scored the goal-of-the-year pic.twitter.com/F2MKCTIzuK
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 1, 2018
Enjoy the game!