The Vancouver Canucks (27-36-13) face the San Jose Sharks (43-28-6) in the second of two consecutive games between the two teams, on Thursday night at the SAP Center in San Jose, to finish up their 5-game season series against the Sharks.
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 29: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks and Brendan Gaunce #50 of the Vancouver Canucks watch the puck in front of Tomas Hertl #48 of the Sharks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 29, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
San Jose has won three of the previous four games this season between the two Pacific division rivals.
The Sharks won at Rogers Place on Tuesday night with a 4-1 victory, with Logan Couture breaking a 1-1 tie, and scoring three consecutive goals, for his first career hat trick. Joe Pavelski had the other San Jose goal and James Reimer made 23 saves.
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 29: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks holds the puck representing his first NHL hat trick scored during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena March 29, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. San Jose won 4-1. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Chris Higgins scored shorthanded and Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves for the Canucks, who have lost their last 9-games (0-8-1).
In their nine consecutive losses, Vancouver has only 8 goals for, surrendered 28 goals against, and scored only one power goal in nineteen opportunities. Their penalty kill is 6th best in the NHL in that span though, at 91.3 percent (21 for 23).
Vancouver is tied with the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs for the least amount of points in the NHL.
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 29: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save while Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks and Yannick Weber #6 of the Canucks pursue the rebound during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 29, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. San Jose won 4-1. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Expect goalie Ryan Miller to be the starter against the Sharks. Miller is 1-5-1 in his last 7 game starts, with a 2.74 GAA and a .921 Sv%.
Miller is winless in his last four starts however, going 0-3-1 with 10 goals against, and is looking to bounce back against the Sharks, if he gets the start.
He has faced 147 shots, making 137 saves, for a .932 Sv%, while Vancouver has only supported him with 4 goals scored, in his four consecutive losses.
Vancouver Hopes To Snap 9-Game Winning Streak Of Sharks At Rogers Arena
The Vancouver Canucks are looking to play the role of streak breakers tonight as they host Pacific division rivals San Jose Sharks, hoping to snap a 9-game winning streak of the Sharks at Rogers Arena dating back to March 5, 2013 (7 regular season + 2 playoffs), at Rogers Place, and in doing so, ending their 8-game losing streak.
San Jose is looking to improve its postseason positioning this week with two games against the Canucks starting tonight in Vancouver, and on Thursday in San Jose, after clinching a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings with a 5-2 win.
Markus Granlund, who has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury, is expected to return tonight while Linden Vey is a healthy scratch.
According to the Canucks website, look for Jacob Markstrom to be between the pipes for Vancouver.
Markstrom is 2-5-0 in his last seven games, and has lost his last four starts, through no fault of his own. The Canucks only scored 2 goals and surrendered 12 goals; Markstrom facing 139 shots, stopping 127, for a .914 Sv%, in those four consecutive losses.
Injured for Vancouver: D Christopher Tanev (lower body) and F Derek Dorsett (upper body) are day-to-day. D Luca Sbisa (upper body) is week-to-week. F Radim Vrbata (knee) is out for the season. F Brandon Sutter (fractured jaw) and D Alexander Edler (fibula fracture) are on the injured reserve list and are out for the season.
The Vancouver Canucks are preparing to face the San Jose Sharks in consecutive games on Tuesday and Thursday night, in home and away contests.
Coach Willie Desjardins addressed the media this morning, and is hoping a couple of injured players could return tomorrow night.
Vancouver’s goals are to end their 8-game losing streak and put a few goals past the Sharks goaltenders, as the players play for jobs on the team for next season in the remaining games of the season.
Dan Hamhuis met with the media following practice at Rogers Arena to discuss being named as the Canucks Masterton Trophy nominee.
The Vancouver Canucks were looking at playing the role of spoilers tonight as they hosted long time rival Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Place, and in doing so, ending their 7-game losing streak.
Chicago was looking to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs if they earned at least one point against the Canucks.
Vancouver, who were knocked from playoff contention with a 4-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday, wanted to delay Chicago’s playoff clinching, having it happen against a different team.
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 27: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks watches as a shot by Andrew Ladd #16 beats Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks for a goal during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 27, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Chicago won 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Ryan Miller stopped 26 of 29 shots, and Vancouver got goals from Alex Burrows and Sven Baertschi; two assists from Emerson Etem, and an assist from Linden Vey, but just could not match the Blackhawks dominance in the game, and the Canucks would make it eight consecutive losses without a win, and Chicago would clinch a playoff berth, winning 3-2.
GAME REVIEW
Chicago had the early momentum in the opening period, but Vancouver eventually got their legs and a couple of scoring chances on Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling.
With under nine minutes left in the period, Chicago was out shooting Vancouver 7 to 5, but the Canucks were 6 for 9 on face-offs and out hitting Chicago 7 to 2.
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 27: Nikita Tryamkin #88 of the Vancouver Canucks checks Andrew Desjardins #11 of the Chicago Blackhawks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 27, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Chicago dominated the Canucks in their end late into the period, eventually opening the scoring at 17:42, when Tomas Fleischmann scored his 14th goal of the season on a wrist shot, assisted by Trevor van Riemsdyk (8) and Christian Ehrhoff (10), to make it 1-0 for the Blackhawks.
Chicago up 1-0 after one period.
In the first period:
Canucks out were out shot by the Blackhawks 13-7 and won 10 of 19 face-offs.
Canucks out hit Chicago 10 to 2.
Canuck face-off leaders: Henrik Sedin-7 for 9; Bo Horvat-3 for 6.
Jake Virtainen-3 hits; Daniel Sedin-2 shots.
Canucks Time On Ice: Jannick Hansen-7:42; Nikita Tryamkin-7:29
Teams Corsi For:
Even Strength: Chicago-22; Vancouver-12
All Strengths: Canucks-12; Blackhawks-22
Top Canucks:
All Situations: Jared McCann-0; Alex Biega -1; Brendan Gaunce -1; Matt Bartowski -1
Even Strength: Jared McCann-0; Alex Biega -1; Brendan Gaunce -1; Matt Bartkowski -1
The Canucks needed to turn things around in the second period, generating more puck possession in the Chicago end and getting more shots on net, and push back for some goals, or it was going to be a long night.
Vancouver did not start the period on the right foot, as Chicago received the game’s first power play opportunity when Daniel Sedin would be penalized at 21 seconds for hooking.
Canucks killed the Sedin penalty making it 20 kills in their last 21 times shorthanded, while the Blackhawks made it 23 consecutive man-advantage opportunities without a power play goal.
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 27: Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks is congratulated after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 27, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Alex Burrows would pick a puck out of the air in front of the Chicago goal, and slap it past Blackhawk goalie Scott Darling, to tie the game up at 1-1, at 11:29.
Burrows, his 9th goal of the season, assisted by Linden Vey (11) and Emerson Etem (6), to end the Canucks latest scoring drought at 141 minutes and 50 seconds.
Teams tied 1-1 after two periods.
In the second period:
Canucks were out shot by Chicago 9 to 6 and won 7 of 19 face-offs.
Canucks out hit Blackhawks 5 to 1.
Canucks penalty kill was 1 for 1.
Canuck face-off leaders: Henrik Sedin-3 for 8; Bo Horvat-2 for 6.
Nikita Tryamkin and Jared McCann-2 hits
Canucks Time On Ice: Dan Hamhuis-7:46; Nikita Tryamkin-6:58;
Teams Corsi For:
Even Strength: Chicago-12; Vancouver-18
All Strengths: Chicago-14; Canucks-18
Top Canucks After Two Periods:
All Situations: Jared McCann +3; Yannick Weber +3
Even Strength: Dan Hamhuis +4; Jared McCann +3; Yannick Weber +3
In the 3rd period, Chicago pressed for the game leading goal, and were rewarded at 5:37 when Teuvo Teravainen, with his 13th goal of the season scored, assisted by Trevor van Riemsdyk (9) and Patrick Kane (55), to make it 2-1 Chicago.
Less than a minute and a half later, Vancouver would get a glorious opportunity to even up the score, when Jonathan Toews would get a double-minor for high sticking Alex Biega at 7:05.
Canucks would be unable to come up with the equalizer on either power play, and would continue to be fruitless with the man advantage, making it one power play goal in their last thirty opportunities, going back to March 7 against the Los Angeles Kings. Their only power play goal coming against the Nashville Predators on March 25.
With less than seven minutes left in the period, Canucks were out shooting Chicago 10 to 5, and making an effort to tie up the game, but the Blackhawks were all over Vancouver, until finally Sven Baertschi would solve Scott Darling and make it a 2-2 game.
Baertschi, his 15th goal of the season, and second goal in his last 12 games, assisted by Emerson Etem (7) at 14:18.
With 2:27 left in the game, Andrew Ladd would make it 3-2 Chicago, with his 23rd goal of the season, assisted by Jonathan Toews (26) and Niklas Hjalmarsson (21) at 17:33.
In the final minute, Vancouver would have six attackers on the ice to try and tie the game, and take it into overtime.
Time would run out though, and the Canucks would make it eight consecutive losses without a win, and Chicago would clinch a playoff berth.
In the third period:
Canucks out shot Chicago 15 to 10 and but only won 7 of 20 face-offs.
Canucks out hit Chicago 3 to 1.
Vancouver power play was 0 for 2 in the period.
Canucks Time On Ice: Daniel Sedin-8:24; Henrik Sedin-9:08; Ben Hutton-8:42
Teams Corsi For:
Even Strength: Vancouver-18; Chicago-14
All Strengths: Chicago-17; Canucks-23
End Of The Game:
Vancouver finished with 28 shots, Chicago 32 shots, and Canucks won 24 of 58 face-offs.
Canucks had 18 hits to the Blackhawks 4 hits.
Vancouver penalty kill was 1 for 1; power play was 0 for 2.
Canucks Time On Ice: Henrik Sedin-20:31; Ben Hutton-22:51; Dan Hamhuis-21:04; Nikita Tryamkin-21:01
Teams Corsi For:
Even Strength: Blackhawks-48; Canucks-48
All Strengths: Chicago-53; Vancouver-53
Top Canucks in game:
All Situations: Dan Hamhuis +6; Jared McCann +6; Alex Biega +4
Even Strength: Dan Hamhuis +6; Alex Biega and Matt Bartkowski +5 each.
The Vancouver Canucks (27 – 34 – 13 = 67 pts) host the Chicago Blackhawks (43 – 25 – 7 = 93 pts) tonight in their third and final meeting of the season. Tonight also marks the first of a two game home stand for the Canucks who take on division rival San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.
Vancouver enters the game in the midst of a 7-game losing streak, and out of the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons.
In the last Canucks game on March 25, Vancouver lost 4-0 to the St. Louis Blues. The Canucks were shut out for the fourth time in the past five games and extended their winless streak to a season-high seven games. Yannick Weber had three hits. Nikita Tryamkin had three blocked shots. Jacob Markstrom made 33 saves.
This is the second of seven consecutive games the Canucks will play against playoff teams, and their 38th home game of the season.
Ryan Miller starts for Vancover, bringing a 15-22-9 record into the game with a 2.63 GAA and .917 Sv% and 1 shutout, but has lost his last three starts.
Miller’s save percentage during his three-game winless streak (108 saves on 115 shots) is .939, above his season average, but his teammates have only been able to score 3 goals during his winless streak.
Vancouver has the 5th best penalty kill in the NHL since March 1 with a 87.5 percentage (28 for 32), and since March 10 the Canucks have only allowed one power play goal against in 21 opportunities, for 95.2 percent, 3rd best in the NHL in that span.
Canucks are averaging 2.17 goals per game. For an 82 game schedule the estimate is Vancouver will finish with 178 goals. The least number of goals ever scored by a Vancouver team in a full season of 82 games is 192 by the 1998-99 Canucks.
Vancouver needs to average 3.00 goals per game over their last 8 games for a minimum 193 goals, to avoid 2015-16 being the season for the worst offensive production by a Canucks teams in franchise history.
Derek Dorsett and Andrey Pedan will not play tonight, while Alex Biega and Jared McCann enter the line-up.
Injured for Vancouver are: D Christopher Tanev (lower body) and F Markus Granlund (upper body) are day-to-day. D Luca Sbisa (upper body) is week-to-week. F Radim Vrbata (knee) is out for the season. F Brandon Sutter (fractured jaw) and D Alexander Edler (fibula fracture) are on the injured reserve list and are out for the season.
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff MARCH 30, 2016
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff MARCH 27, 2016
Andrew Phillip Chernoff 