Tuesday March 24 - Vancouver Canucks 5 - Winnipeg Jets 2
For the second time in three games, the Vancouver Canucks scored two empty-net goals to make a final score look much more emphatic than the first 59 minutes of the game would have suggested.
Here are your highlights from another game in which the Vancouver Canucks came back from a 2-0 deficit to claim an important two points.
It's getting harder and harder to find elements of the Canucks' game to fret about.
The power play delivered when called-upon for the third straight game. It looks like the first unit is now setting up in more of an umbrella, with Yannick Weber out by the blue line, Alex Edler working lower and Daniel Sedin acting as the net-front presence.
As he did on Edler's PP marker in L.A. on Saturday, Daniel perfectly timed a leap as the scoring shot was released—not only avoiding an accidental block but also moving more of his body in front of the goaltender's face, making it even tougher for him to track the puck.
I like the move. The goalie has no way to prepare for it and it doesn't technically interfere with him in any way. Best of all, it seems to be working.
Though these numbers are padded by the empty-net goals, it's great to see that the Canucks have outscored their opponents 12-4 in the last three games.
Henrik Sedin had three points last night, Daniel now has eight in his last five games and Radim Vrbata has seven points in his last three games, including the game-winners against both L.A. and Winnipeg.
I'll admit it—I was a huge skeptic when Vrbata was signed. I didn't like the fact that he was coming out of a losing environment in Arizona, and that he had only had success with the Coyotes while flaming out with several other teams. I also didn't like the fact that, for all the times I'd see the Coyotes play, he'd never left any kind of notable impression on me—good or bad.
I also didn't like the fact that he was immediately given the golden ticket to the Sedin line but he has proven that he can be effective there, as well as in other roles. I do like the way Vrby and Jason Botchford parse out the different looks that the Sedins can now bring, depending on their linemate, in the latest Provies:
Now the Canucks, when everyone is healthy, have three different options they roll out on their top line, and each of them entirely changes the look of that line.“I bring something else than what Burr brings to them or what Kass brings to them,… Vrbata said. “They can play three different ways.
“They play differently with each one of us, and you can throw different guys out there against the opponent.
“You’re playing a heavy team against L.A.? Maybe you want Burr or Kassian there.…
Vrbata's first point tonight was an outstanding assist to set up Chris Higgins' one-timer, but his winning goal was a product of some Sedinery—a beauty that even he couldn't help but celebrate.
Vrbata's now up to 29 goals and 56 points—not far off his career highs of 35 goals and 62 points in 2011-12. When you consider that Paul Stastny has delivered 14 goals and 43 points for St. Louis on a four-year deal with a $7 million cap hit, or that Mike Cammalleri has 25 goals but just 36 points in the first year of a five-year contract with a $5 million cap hit with New Jersey, Vrbata's two-year, $10 million deal looks like fantastic value.
Has there been a better free agent performance in the NHL this season? Jonas Hiller in Calgary is the only other player I can think of who has made such an important impact on his team.
Eddie Lack deserves props for another fine performance on Tuesday, including a splendid glove save on Mark Scheifele with 1:03 to go that may have saved the game.
Lack's now up to 16th in the league with his .920 save percentage and ranks 20th with his 2.42 goals-against average. Even more importantly, he's 8-3-1 since Ryan Miller's injury, which has everything to do with why Vancouver continues to float above the Flames and Kings in the Pacific Division standings.
Of course, long-time Canuck fans aren't really programmed to kick back and accept the good times as they come. Here are five things we can still worry about:
1. Vancouver's offensive stats are inflated by their 20 empty-net goals—by far, the most in the league. Last year, the Canucks were dead last in the NHL, with just two.
I'd argue that the empty-netters are coming because this team is successfully defending its late leads—a rare occurrence last season under he who must not be named.
2. The Canucks' face-off percentage is still terrible—now down to 28th in the league, but ahead of the New York Rangers (and Buffalo). Henrik Sedin is now just 46 percent, while Linden Vey is 44 percent. Thank goodness for Bo Horvat, who is taking more and more critical draws and sits at 51.8 percent.
3. The Canucks are, indeed, busting out the "cursed" Vancouver Millionaires jerseys against Colorado on Thursday night to pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of the city's lone Stanley Cup win. Will the third time be the charm? And can the Canucks finally win four straight for the first time since the stretch that ran from October 26 to November 1?
4. Goalie controversy. Ryan Miller is practicing in his equipment, but separately from the rest of the group, at Rogers Arena today. When he's ready to play, does he slot back in, or do the Canucks run with the hot hand of Eddie Lack?
5. The Kings look like they've finally hit desperation mode after a playoff-style win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday. L.A. isn't going away and has a couple of different routes by which they could still get to the dance. They're now tied with Calgary with 86 points and just two points behind Winnipeg for the second Western Conference wild card.
Just three games on the NHL schedule tonight, including the Flames hosting the Dallas Stars.
What else is worrying you on this gloomy Wednesday in Vancouver?