Vancouver, B.C. – The National Hockey League announced today that Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin has been named as one of six forwards to represent Team Pacific Division in the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game and Weekend, to be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Jan. 31 at Bridgestone Arena (2 p.m., PST). The All-Stars will participate in the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Bridgestone Arena (4 p.m., PST).
Sedin, 35, will be making his third NHL All-Star Game appearance. He has skated in 40 games for Vancouver and leads the team in in points (38, which also ranks t-9th in the NHL), goals (17, which ranks t-11th in the NHL), power play goals (5), power play points (13), and game-winning goals (4). He also ranks second on the club in assists (21) and shots on goal (138). Earlier this season, the Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, native registered his 900th career NHL point and he is now only three goals from surpassing Markus Naslund (346) for first all-time in franchise goals.
Below is the additional All-Stars selected for Team Pacific Division along with Daniel Sedin:
F Johnny Gaudreau (CGY)
F Taylor Hall (EDM)
F Joe Pavelski (SJS)
F Corey Perry (ANA)
F John Scott (ARI)*
D Brent Burns (SJS)
D Drew Doughty (LAK)
D Mark Giordano (CGY)
G John Gibson (ANA)
G Jonathan Quick (LAK)
*Fan-elected captain
Vancouver, BC – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the club has reassigned goaltender Joe Cannata to the AHL Utica Comets.
Cannata has posted a 9-5-2 record, 2.49 GAA and a 0.907 save percentage in 16 games with the Comets this season. He split the 2014.15 season with Utica and the Ontario Reign of the ECHL playing five games with the Comets (3-2-0) and 21 games with the Reign (12-6-2).
The 25-year old native of Wakefield, MA was selected by Vancouver 173rd overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Welcome to the “NHL Morning Skate,” a daily collection of the latest news and notes from around the League.
NHL ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR GAME ROSTERS, HEAD COACHES
The NHL announced the full roster of players as well as the head coaches for the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star celebration, which will be held Jan. 30-31 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The League unveiled the list of 40 players who will join the four division captains selected by fans in the 2016 NHL All-Star Fan Vote: Jaromir Jagr of the Panthers (Atlantic), Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks (Central), Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals (Metropolitan) and John Scott of the Coyotes (Pacific). Each team is comprised of six forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders.
The NHL also announced that Gerard Gallant of the Panthers (Atlantic), Lindy Ruff of the Stars (Central), Darryl Sutter of the Kings (Pacific) and Barry Trotz of the Capitals (Metropolitan) have clinched the top point percentages in their respective divisions – through the midway point of the regular season (Saturday, Jan. 9) – and will serve as head coaches.
Home Team in Caps
MONTREAL 2, New Jersey 1
CHICAGO 3, Pittsburgh 1
COLORADO 4, St. Louis 3 (OT)
VANCOUVER 3, Carolina 2
Toronto 4, ANAHEIM 0
PANARIN (AGAIN) LIFTS BLACKHAWKS OVER PENGUINS
Artemi Panarin (2-0—2) registered his second multi-goal performance in as many nights to power the Blackhawks to a sweep of their home-and-home series with the Penguins as well as their fifth consecutive victory overall.
* At 25-13-4 (54 points), the Blackhawks moved within six points of the idle Stars (28-10-4, 60 points) for first place in the Central Division. These teams, who last faced off on Dec. 22 (4-0 DAL W), will meet four more times this season: Feb. 6 at DAL, Feb. 11 at CHI, March 11 at DAL and March 22 at CHI.
* Panarin, who also scored twice (including the overtime winner) in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory at PIT, moved into first place among rookies in the three major scoring categories: goals (15), assists (23) and points (38). His 38 points are 10 more than the next-closest rookie: Coyotes forward Max Domi (10-18—28).
* Via Elias, Panarin became the first Blackhawks rookie to post consecutive multi-goal games since Oct. 7-9, 2005 (Pavel Vorobiev: 2-1—3 vs. SJS and 2-0—2 vs. CBJ). Panarin also became the second rookie in franchise history to accomplish that feat on consecutive days. The other: current Kings head coach Darryl Sutter, who did so Feb. 7-8, 1981 (2-1—3 at HFD and 2-0—2 vs. WPG).
TOUCH THEM ALL
* Nathan MacKinnon potted the tying goal with 1:29 remaining in regulation and Gabriel Landeskog scored with 16.5 seconds left in overtime to lead the Avalanche an 8-2-2 record in their past 12 contests. Landeskog picked up his third career overtime goal and first since April 1, 2014 at CBJ (2-0—2).
* Jonathan Bernier stopped all 39 shots he faced and Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau scored twice to power the Maple Leafs to their sixth win in their last eight games as well as a 15-8-5 record since Nov. 2. Bernier, who earned his 11th career shutout (and second this season), improved to 6-2-0 in his last eight outings following a 0-8-3 start to the campaign.
* Bo Horvat scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 1:06 remaining in regulation, to lift the Canucks to a 5-2-1 record in their last eight games. Horvat, who posted his first career multi-goal performance (109 GP), also led the team to its eighth consecutive victory over the Hurricanes at Rogers Arena dating to Jan. 12, 2002 (CAR: 0-6-2).
* Mike Condon made 19 saves to backstop the Canadiens to their third victory in their past five outings on the heels of a six-game losing streak. Condon, who improved to 12-9-3 overall (2.36 GAA, .908 SV%), picked up his third straight win after dropping seven consecutive decisions from Dec. 3-26.
MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS
* Avalanche forward Jarome Iginla (0-1—1) played in his 1,433rd career game to move past Mike Gartner (1,432 GP) and into sole possession of 24th place on the NHL’s all-time games played list.
* Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf (0-1—1) registered his 300th NHL assist.
* Devils captain Andy Greene (0-1—1) played in his 600th NHL game.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Predators acquired forward Ryan Johansen from the Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Seth Jones . . . The Kings acquired forward Vincent Lecavalier and defenseman Luke Schenn from the Flyers in exchange for forward Jordan Weal and a third-round selection in the 2016 NHL Draft . . . The Capitals signed forward Mike Richards to a one-year contract . . . The Department of Player Safety suspended Capitals forward Zach Sill for two games for boarding Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid . . . Click here for a recap of the finale of Road to the NHL Winter Classic, the four-part series that chronicled the Bruins and Canadiens as they prepared for the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
LOOSE PUCKS
Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko (1-1—2) scored his 24th goal of the season to move into a share of the League lead with Stars captain Jamie Benn. Tarasenko also ranks fourth overall with 43 points . . . Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane posted one assist to extend his assist/point streak to five games (2-8—10). Kane, who has registered at least one point in 37 of 42 appearances this season, continues to pace the NHL in assists (37) and points (60) . . . Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk collected one assist to extend his point streak to a career-high seven games (4-5—9) . . . Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty (3-3—6) and Blues forward Paul Stastny (0-5—5) both extended their point streaks to five games . . . Hurricanes defenseman John-Michael Liles scored his first career shorthanded goal (760 GP) . . . Forward Torrey Mitchell notched the Canadiens’ eighth shorthanded goal of the season, tied for first in the NHL with the Senators . . . Hurricanes goaltender Eddie Lack made 18 saves in his return to Vancouver. Lack played his first two NHL seasons with the Canucks, compiling a 34-30-9 record in 82 appearances (2.43 GAA, .917 SV%, 6 SO).
SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Washington @ NY Islanders, 7:00 p.m., SN360, TVAS, CSN-DC, MSG+
Florida @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., FS-F, TSN5, RDS
Philadelphia @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m., NBCSN, TCN-PH
Winnipeg @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m., TSN3, FS-SW
Arizona @ Calgary, 9:00 p.m., FS-A, SNW
Toronto @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., SNO, FS-W
Detroit @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., FS-D, CSN-CA
CAPITALS FACE ISLANDERS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE PLAYOFFS
The League-leading Capitals (29-7-3, 61 points) play the first of four games this season against the division rival Islanders (22-13-5, 49 points) when the clubs face off at Barclays Center. This marks the first meeting between these teams since the opening round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, a seven-game series that featured four one-goal contests and ultimately was won by Washington. The Capitals, who lead the Islanders by 12 points in the Metropolitan Division, own a 17-2-2 record in their last 21 games dating to Nov. 21. The Islanders, meanwhile, have won four of their past six contests overall as well as seven of their last nine at Barclays Center.
The Vancouver Canucks (16-16-9) never-say-die attitude against the Arizona Coyotes (16-18-7) pays off, led by Bo Horvat’s offensive outburst, as the Canucks win 3-2, their third win in five games on their seven game home stand.
Bo Horvat, with two goals, including the winner on the power play with 1:06 remaining in regulation; and Sven Baertschi, with a goal on his return to the lineup, scored for Vancouver to improve the Canucks record to 5-2-1 in their last eight games.
For Horvat, after scoring his first goal in 28 games against Arizona on Monday night, he now has 3 goals in two straight games, two on the power play.
Horvat, had his first career multi-goal performance in 109 games played, and also led the Vancouver to its eighth consecutive victory over the Hurricanes at Rogers Arena dating to January 12, 2002 (0-6-2).
For Baertschi, he now has 4 goals and 2 assists along with 12 shots on net, in his last 6 games played.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 26 of 28 shots in his 6th straight start, for a Sv% of .929. He is now, 4-2-1 in his last 7 games, with a GAA of 2.12 and a Sv% of .929. In his last nine games, he is 4-4-1, with a GAA of 2.02 and Sv% of .932.
Vancouver was 1 for 5 on the power play, and 2 for 2 on the penalty kill. Canucks are now 2 for 27 in their last 11 games with the man advantage, and 21 for 24 in their last 9 home games on the penalty kill.
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 6: Sven Baertschi #47 of the Vancouver Canucks watches the second goal of teammate Bo Horvat #53 get past Eddie Lack #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 6, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Canucks came out in the first period with Sven Baertschi and Brandon Prust returning from injuries; Alex Edler over the flu, and the return of Eddie Lack, in a different uniform no less, to motivate them in the opening period.
The period was scoreless but not uneventful.
Bo Horvat had at least four good scoring chances and was easily the best forward on the ice for Vancouver.
Eddie Lack had a couple of goal posts and some tremendous stops, especially on Bo Horvat, Alex Burrows and Daniel Sedin.
Even though Jacob Markstrom only had two shots, his calming influence when Carolina had some prolonged offensive pressure in the Canucks zone, gave the Canucks the ability to move the puck out of their end unscathed.
Carolina was out shot by Vancouver 8 to 2; with the Hurricanes not getting their first shot on goal until between the 10th and 11th minutes of play.
Vancouver was 0 for 1 on the power play. Carolina was 9 for 16 on face-offs. Canucks Linden Vey was 3 for 5 in the face-off circle. Bo Horvat led Canucks in shots with 3; Daniel Sedin had 2 shots. Derek Dorsett led Vancouver in hits with 2. Carolina had 5 giveaways in the opening period. Jordan Staal was 5 for 8 for Carolina on face-offs.
Carolina carried over their late power play opportunity in the first period into the middle frame but the Canucks killed it easily enough. Canucks power play is a killer at 20for 23, 86.96 percent in their last 9 home games.
Play in the second period was initially to Vancouver’s liking, with the Canucks continuing to look for that elusive first goal of the game but with the amount of offensive possession in the Hurricanes end, Carolina was out shooting Vancouver 3-2 nearing the seven minute mark of the period.
Canucks received a power play opportunity when Noah Hanifin was penalized for holding Sven Baertschi at 6:37.
Unfortunately for the Canucks, on the power play Linden Vey gave up the puck on a stick check by Jordan Staal, and Carolina quickly left their zone, eventually scoring the opening goal of the game shorthanded.
John-Michael Iles, his 2nd goal of the season, on a wrist shot, assisted by Jordan Staal (9) at 8:02 to give Carolina a 1-0 lead.
To add insult to injury, the Canucks were unable to capitalize on their power play opportunity, going 0 for 2 in the game, making it 1 goal on 24 opportunities in their last 11 games.
After the Hurricanes goal, and a dejected Canucks team, Carolina turned up their game a notch, pestering Markstrom and the Canucks with shots, eventually catching up to the Canucks for shots in the game and surpassing them.
Canucks were getting the odd scoring chance but Eddie Lack continued to stymie his former Vancouver teammates, holding the Canucks off the score sheet, as Carolina continued to build on their momentum.
Then with the second period nearing an end, Sven Baertschi, with a leading pass from Adam Cracknell, went in on Eddie Lack all alone, burying the puck behind a surprised Lack, to tie the game up at 1-1.
Sven Baertschi, his 6th goal of the season, on a wrist shot, assisted by Adam Cracknell (5) at 17:39.
The Canucks good fortune, sort of, continued late in the period, as Vancouver received their third power play of the game when Jordan Staal was sent to the penalty box for hooking Ben Hutton at 18:41.
Then with six seconds left in the middle frame, Carolina’s Elias Lindholm, received a delay of game penalty for putting the puck over the glass, giving the Canucks a 5-on-3 for the first 41 seconds of the 3rd period.
The Hurricanes out shot the Canucks 13 to 7 in the period with both teams having 15 shots each after two. Carolina was 11 for20 on face-offs. Daneil Sedin had 4 shots after two periods; Bo Horvat, 3 shots; Alex Edler and Ben Hutton, 2 shots each. Linden Vey was 6 for 10 on face-offs after two; Henrik Sedin, 4 for 9; Bo Horvat, 5 for 14.
The Canucks entered the final period of the game with a two-man advantage, but were disappointing with both power plays, as they were unable to take advantage of either opportunity, and became 0 for 4 in the game on the power play, making it 3 for 41 in their last 15 games with the man advantage; 1 for 26 in their last 11 games.
With the killing of both power plays, the Hurricanes continued to dominate the game, continuing to out shoot Vancouver, and out chance them, in the first six minutes of the final frame.
And then demonstrating that persistence pays off, Bo Horvat gave the Canucks its first lead in the game, 2-1, as he grabbed the puck in the neutral zone, came down the right side of the boards, swung into the middle, rushed in on net, moved wide to his left and buried the pick past a sprawling Eddie Lack, with a highlight-reel goal.
Bo Horvat, his 4rth of the season, and second goal in two games, assisted by Matt Bartkowski (8) and Alex Biega (3), at 7:15.
But the Hurricanes still had air in their sails, as Jordan Staal, would even up the game 2-2 just over four and a half minutes later, with his 8th goal of the season, at the twelve minute mark, on a wrist shot, assisted by Noah Hanifin (7).
Jannick Hansen would leave the game with just under five minutes left in the game unable to play through an injury suffered earlier in the game.
The Canucks received an excellent opportunity with 2:43 left in the game with their 5th power play on a delay of game penalty to Carolina. Canucks were having repeated difficulty to gain control of the Hurricanes blue line and set up.
But once again, the persistence of Bo Horvat and the Canucks pays off, as Horvat scored a power play goal, his second goal of the game, and third goal in two games.
Horvat, his 5th goal of the season, on a wrist shot, assisted by Sven Baertschi (7) and Linden Vey (2), giving Vancouver the go ahead goal, 3-2.
Carolina would pull goalie Eddie Lack but the Vancouver Canucks would hang on for the 3-2 victory on home ice; their third victory on their seven game home stand, with two games left.
With the win, Vancouver takes over 3rd place in the Pacific division with 41 points, a point behind Arizona in 2nd place. They are 11 points behind Los Angeles; are a point in front of Calgary. They are two points in front of Anaheim, three a head of San Jose and 4 points in front of Edmonton.
GAME REVIEW
CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS
WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS
STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Asian shares headed lower on Thursday as concerns about the health of the Chinese economy and plunging oil prices weighed on investors’ confidence.
Recent moves by Beijing to further weaken the yuan ignited fears that the world’s second largest economy is slowing more than expected and could trigger another wave of currency devaluation in the region.
Investors remained nervous as China’s central bank set a weaker yuan guidance rate for seven consecutive days, pushing offshore yuan to its lowest level since trading began in 2010.
Disappointing manufacturing data on Monday had led the mainland benchmark index to plunge 7%, triggering a global equities sell-off.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index lost 0.4% to 5,104.10 as energy shares weighed on the market.
Shares of Woodside Petroleum were down over 2% as oil prices slid after data showed a surprising build-up of US gasoline stocks, adding to fear of a growing global glut.
Government data that showed Australia recorded its 20th monthly trade deficit in a row on falling commodity prices also dented confidence.
South Korea’s Kospi index was down 0.2% to 1,921.36 points as geopolitical tensions rose after North Korea’s nuclear test on Wednesday.
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 7, 2016
Andrew Phillip Chernoff 