Monday February 9 - Minnesota Wild 5 - Vancouver Canucks 3
If you'd like to enjoy the rare sight of a goal by former Vancouver first-rounder Jordan Schroeder, these highlights from last night's loss to the Minnesota Wild are just the place for you:
Not even expected to play, Schroeder got the Wild on the board at the 5:05 mark of the first period, on the home team's first shot of the game.
Hate that goal for Miller. Schroeder has to go short-side backhand, he's got no chance to go far-side, no chance to go forehand. #Canucks
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) February 10, 2015It was a sign of things to come for Miller—lauded on Saturday after his sixth shutout of the season, then pulled at the 7:59 mark of the second period on Monday after giving up five goals on 18 Minnesota shots.
He's taking the heat today, with stats like this getting play:
#Canucks Ryan Miller has now lost 5 of his last 7 starts. He is 2-5-0 with a 3.31 GAA & .881 SV% in those games.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) February 10, 2015With the Kings and Flames winning last night as well as the Wild, the deck is being shuffled in the Western Conference standings. San Jose took the biggest hit due to their loss to Calgary, according to SportsClubStats, but Vancouver's playoff chances also took a hit of 5.9 percent.
The team of hockey writers at ESPN.com do a thorough job of setting the scene here as we head down to the wire.
When we're seeing changes of 10 percent or more in playoff odds on a night-by-night basis, it underscores how quickly things can change for the bubble teams. It's going to be an intense race to the finish!
For the time being, it looks like the Canucks will be racing without Nick Bonino, the team's latest casualty. Thomas Drance has the Vine that shows Bonino blocking a Ryan Suter shot during a second-period power play over at Canucks Army.
Not only is Bonino injured on the play; Suter also did go on to score on that same shift, increasing the Wild lead to 4-2. Less than a minute later, Kyle Brodziak added the insurance marker. That was basically game, set, match.
Needless to say, Bonino is not on the ice for today's practice in Chicago.
#Canucks Bonino/Richardson injured and no HSedin at practice, so lack of middle men. Trial lines 22-14/20-7-17/51-27-9/41-53-36 #TSN1040
— Jon Abbott (@HockeyAbbs) February 10, 2015Here's some good news. Sometimes I think Willie keeps key players out of practice just so we can feel the relief when we're told there's no problem:
Henrik Sedin and Alex Edler are fine, will play Wednesday. #Canucks
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 10, 2015The Latest on Kane
In case you missed it, Jim Benning appeared between periods of Monday's Vancouver Giants broadcast on TSN radio, and set Twitter afire on a lazy holiday afternoon when he admitted that yes, the Canucks are interested in Evander Kane.
Once again, Canucks Army offers a solid summary of the scenario.
GM Jim Benning on interest in E. Kane: "We're can't really talk about other team's players, but we would be interested for sure"
— Blake Price (@blakeprice1040) February 10, 2015Over in The Provies, Jason Botchford says this is the package the Jets are after:
As of now, the Jets are looking for Horvat, an A-prospect (McCann) and a first.
That won't happen. This team does not improve itself over the long term by giving up those three first-rounders for any one player—not even Evander Kane.
Zack Kassian was also a first-rounder, though—and is now on a three-game point streak! Would you do Kassian, McCann and a first for Kane?
We'll see what happens as the list of potential suitors whittles down. With Kane shelved for several months after serious shoulder surgery, there's no rush to make a deal.
Benning also mentioned during yesterday's radio appearance that we could see a quiet trade deadline, all around the league:
#Canucks GM Jim Benning speaking with @realbrookward on Giants broadcast: Uncertainty about salary cap, thinks could impact # of moves Mar 2
— Cam Tucker (@CamTucker_Metro) February 9, 2015I don't think Kane will be moved until, at least, the draft.