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.
ELLIOTT GETS 3RD CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUT FOR THE BLUES
The Vancouver Canucks came into the state of Missouri tonight to take on the St. Louis Blues on a 6 game losing streak, facing possible elimination from the playoffs, in the final game of their three game road trip.
The Canucks were looking for Lady Luck to smile upon them, along with divine intervention to bless them with a much needed win, in the first of seven straight games against playoff teams.
The Blues were looking for a victory to punch their ticket for the NHL playoffs, their 40th postseason appearance in franchise history and the sixth appearance in the last 11 seasons, and fifth season in a row.
Who would make it a really “Good Friday” with a win tonight?
Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who stopped 47 of 49 shots against the Winnipeg Jets on March 22 and was named the first star of the game, in a 2-0 loss, was making his 7th start of the month, entering the game with a 2-4-0 record, including a .923 Sv% and 2.53 GAA in March.
Markstrom in his previous two starts faced 70 shots, and responded with a .959 Sv% and 1.53 GAA.
Goalie Brian Elliott made his third consecutive start tonight for the Blues, earning two consecutive shutouts, after returning from a lower-body injury that kept him sidelined for 10 games.
Markstrom did his best, stopping 32 of 36 shots, but Vancouver could not get a puck past the Blues goalie and lost 4-0, ending their playoff hopes and extending their losing streak to 7 consecutive games, in the final game of their 3 game road trip.
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 25: Brian Elliott #1 and Robert Bortuzzo #41 of the St. Louis Blues defend the goal against Alex Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks at the Scottrade Center on March 25, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/NHLI via Getty Images)
GAME REVIEW
St. Louis would open the scoring on a Canucks turnover on the Blues blue line, resulting on a St. Louis 3-on-1 on Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom, eventually scoring, to make it 1-0 with a shorthanded goal, at 10:51. Kyle Brodziak, his 4rth goal, on a tip-in, assisted by Scottie Upshall (5), with Vancouver on the power play.
The Blues would continue to dominate the period, and would use their well executed puck possession in the Canucks ends to go up by two goals at 15:25, on a wrist shot by Robby Fabbri, his 18 goal, assisted by Paul Stastny (31) and Troy Brouwer (17).
The Canucks would come close in the last minutes of the period to cutting the Blues lead by a goal when Chris Higgins had a great opportunity going in on Blues goalie Brian Elliott all alone but Elliott responded with a superb save.
In the first period:
Canucks out were out shot by the Blues 11-7 and won 10 of 18 face-offs.
Canucks were out hit 8 to 5 by the Blues.
Vancouver power play was 0 for 1, and penalty kill was 1 for 1.
Corsi For:
Even Strength: St. Louis-16; Vancouver-12
All Strengths: Canucks-13; Blues-22
Top Canucks:
All Situations: Jake Virtanen +6; Sven Baertschi +4
Even Strength: Sven Baertschi +5; Jake Virtanen +5
Vancouver had the edge in play in the first five minutes of the second period, establishing time and shots in the Blues end, but were unable to generate any serious scoring chances.
Similar to the Nashville game, shots not plenty in the second period. With 8:53 left in the period, the Blues were out shooting the Canucks 5 to 3, with the Canucks 2 for 7 on face-offs.
With 4:28 left in the period, and the Canucks unable to get the puck out of their end, the Blues took advantage of the flustered Vancouver team, scoring to make it 3-0. Carl Gunnarsson, his 3rd goal of the season, on a slap shot, assisted by Paul Stastny (32) and Robby Fabbri (20) at 15:32.
Period ends with St. Louis up 3-0.
In the second period:
Canucks were out shot by Blues 10 to 6 and won 8 of 16 face-offs.
Canucks were out hit by the Blues 21 to 6.
Corsi For:
Even Strength: St. Louis-16; Vancouver-14
All Strengths: St. Louis-16; Canucks-14
Top Canucks After Two Periods:
All Situations: Daniel Sedin +6; Jake Virtanen +6
Even Strength: Dan Hamhuis +8; Sven Baertschi +6
Vancouver would go into the 3rd period with an uphill battle, with a supposed insurmountable three goal deficit pretty much sealing the end of their playoff hopes, and their losing streak going to seven straight.
The Canucks did not make things easy early in the final period as they would receive two penalties resulting in a two-man advantage for the Blues, giving St. Louis a great opportunity to extend their lead.
Jannick Hansen at eighteen seconds for high sticking and Dan Hamhuis at twenty-three seconds for delay of game, gave the Blues a 5-on-3 for 1:55. The Canucks would end up killing off both penalties, going 3 for 3 in the game on the penalty kill
St. Louis had a 10 to 1 edge in shots going into the last half of the period, with Vancouver unable to generate any offense at all, to cut the Blues lead. Canucks had the edge with face-off wins though, 7 to 6.
The Blues would add another goal to pad their lead at 4-0 at 12:15 when Joel Edmundson would score his first NHL goal, on a slap shot, assisted by Vladimir Tarasenko (30) and Colton Parayko (23.
That is all she wrote, as the Blues clinched a berth in the playoffs and Elliott registered his third consecutive shutout, by a 4-0 score, eliminating Vancouver from the playoff picture.
In the THIRD period:
Canucks out shot by St. Louis 16 to 2 and but won14 of 23 face-offs.
Canucks out hit by St. Louis 4 to 1.
Vancouver penalty kill was 2 for 2 in the period.
Corsi For:
Even Strength: Vancouver-5; St. Louis-25
All Strengths: St. Louis-27; Canucks-5
END OF THE GAME:
Canucks finished with 15 shots, Nashville 37 shots, and won 32 of 57 face-offs.
Canucks had 12 hits to the Blues 33 hits.
Vancouver penalty kill was 3 for 3; power play was 0 for 1.
Corsi For:
Even Strength: Blues-56; Canucks-31
All Strengths: Blues-65; Canucks-32
Top Canucks in game:
All Situations: Daniel Sedin +2; Jake Virtanen +1
Even Strength: Jannick Hansen +2; Daniel Sedin +1; Sven Baertschi +1
The Vancouver Canucks (27-33-13) continued their late season meltdown, losing their 6th consecutive game to the Nashville Predators (38-23-13), 3-2 in a shootout, after the Predators stormed back in the final period in one minute and twelve seconds, forcing an overtime and eventual shootout.
Bo Horvat and Daniel Sedin scored for the Canucks, while Henrik Sedin, Sven Baertschi and Alex Burrows had helpers.
Bo Horvat’s goal ended the Canucks scoring drought that came into the game at 228 minutes without a goal.
Daniel Sedin’s goal was on the power play and ended a 0 for 26 man advantage slump.
Ryan Miller stopped 30 of 32 shots for a .938 Sv%.
Vancouver are now 1-5-1 in their last 7 games and during that stretch, have been shutout three times; lost 6 straight games; have scored only 5 goals, surrendered 17 goals against. They are 1 for 18 on the power play but are 17 for 18 on the penalty kill for 94.4 percent efficiency, good for 5th best in the NHL during that stretch.
Their face-off winning percentage is 46.8 percent in the last 7 games good for 25th in the NHL since March 10, above their season average of 45.2 percent, worst in the NHL.
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 24: Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks deflects a shot wide of the net against the Nashville Predators during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 24, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
GAME REVIEW
The Canucks first goal in 234 minutes and 52 seconds opened up the scoring as Bo Horvat scored his 12 goal of the season at 6:52 of the first period, to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead, assisted by Sven Baertschi (13).
Vancouver took the momentum of the opening goal of the game, and continued to press the Predators out-shooting them in the period, 9 to 3, at one point.
The Canucks drew a penalty in front of the Predator net, when Jannick Hansen was hooked by Shea Weber at 14:24, and ended up going up by two goals in the game, 2-0. It was their first power play goal in their last 27 opportunities.
Daniel Sedin, his 27th goal, at 14:39, assisted by Henrik Sedin (40) and Alex Burrows (12), and it only took 15 seconds.
The period would end 2-0 Vancouver.
In the first period:
Canucks out shot Nashville 11-9 and won 14 of 24 face-offs.
Canucks edged the Predators with the physical play, out hitting Nashville 12 to 11.
Vancouver power play was 1 for 2.
Corsi For:
Even Strength: Nashville-20; Vancouver-18
All Strengths: Canucks-22; Predators-20
Top Canucks:
All Situations: Daniel Sedin +6; Henrik Sedin +6
Even Strength: Daniel Sedin +3; Henrik Sedin +3
The Canucks went into the second period having killed 14 of their last 15 penalties in the last 6-games, and need to thank Mike Fisher for increasing it to 15, when Fisher knocked the puck away from entering the Canucks net on Nashville’s first power play of the game, to keep it 2-0 early in the period.
Shots were few entering the last 9:24 of the second frame, with the Predators having 3-shots to 1-shot for the Canucks.
The period would have momentum shifts and the Canucks had a few opportunities to go up by three goals but the period would end, as the first did, 2-0 Vancouver.
In the second period:
Canucks tied Nashville for shots with 6 and won 4 of 15 face-offs.
Canucks matched the Predators with the physical play, with 8 hits each.
Vancouver penalty kill was 1 for 1 in the period.
Corsi For:
Even Strength: Vancouver-16; Nashville-14
All Strengths: Predators-17; Canucks-16
Top Canucks After Two Periods:
All Situations: Daniel Sedin +12; Henrik Sedin +8
Even Strength: Daniel Sedin +9; Henrik Sedin +5
Canucks would try to end a 5-game losing streak entering the 3rd period, and they carried the play in the first five minutes of the period, attempting to increase their lead by three goals.
As the period moved along, the Predators would push back, finally breaking Ryan Miller’s shutout opportunity, scoring two quick goals in a minute and twelve seconds, tying the game at 2-2.
James Neal at 11:56 with his 29 goal, assisted by Colin Wilson (17); and then, Filip Forsberg, his 31 goal, at 13:08, assisted by Mattias Ekholm (25) and Ryan Ellis (21).
What seemed like a sure win, would result in the Canucks continuing to struggle to regain the lead, as Nashville continued to buzz around the Canucks, looking for the go ahead goal.
With time running out, Vancouver was unable to get shots on net, as the Predators forced them to take perimeter shots or dump the puck in the Nashville end.
The third period would end tied 2-2.
In the third period:
Canucks had 8 shots; Nashville 11shots, and won 7 of 12 face-offs.
Canucks edged the Predators with the physical play, 9 to 8 in hits.
Corsi For:
Even Strength: Vancouver-17; Nashville-24
All Strengths: Predators-17; Canucks-24
The overtime period would be exciting as Nashville would press hard, especially when they went into the final two minutes with a power play when Brendan Gaunce received a penalty for holding Shea Weber but the game would be decided by a shootout. Nashville out shot Vancouver 5 to 0 in the OT.
Predators would complete the comeback in the shootout, winning 3-2.
END OF GAME:
Canucks finished with 25 shots, Nashville 32 shots, and won 27 of 55 face-offs.
Canucks edged the Predators with 29 hits to 26 for Nashville.
Vancouver penalty kill was 1 for 1; power play was 1 for 2.
Corsi For:
Even Strength: Nashville-61; Canucks-53
All Strengths: Predators-70; Canucks-57
Top Canucks in game:
All Situations: Daniel Sedin +10; Henrik Sedin +6
Even Strength: Daniel Sedin +7; Brendan Gaunce +5
The Canucks were without D Alex Edler (broken fibula), D Chris Tanev (back), D Luca Sbisa (shoulder), C Brandon Sutter (broken jaw), C Markus Granlund (upper body), RW Radim Vrbata (knee) and LW Derek Dorsett (upper body).
The Vancouver Canucks (25-28-12) left sunny California having been swept out of the State, losing both games including tonight’s match against Los Angeles Kings (39-22-4).
The Canucks opened up the scoring on a goal by Dan Hamhuis, and then the Kings score five unanswered goals, including three in the final period, to defeat Vancouver 5-1.
The Canucks entered the game with so much promise:
Vancouver came into their road game against the Los Angeles Kings with a record of 6-3-1 in last 10 road games, 10th best in NHL since January 12.
Canucks also faced the Kings with the 2nd best penalty kill on the road in the NHL since January 25th at 92.3 (12 for 13); and the 3rd best penalty kill overall in the NHL in that time span at 87 percent (40 for 46).
Vancouver also came into the game with the 3rd best power play in the NHL since February 15 at 34.6 percent (9 for 26).
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 7: Tyler Toffoli #73 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a backhand shot against Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks on March 7, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)
GAME REVIEW
Canucks and Kings came out battling each other and kept things close in the first five minutes of the game with the Kings out shooting the Canucks 5-3; and both teams having three hits each. Face-off wins were also close at 4 for 6 for the Kings.
Both teams showed good puck movement and drive as there were scoring chances by both teams entering the final half of the period. Canucks were out hitting the Kings and the Kings also had a slight edge in shots.
Canucks Emerson Etem would put Vancouver on the power play when he went in on Kings goalie Johnathan Quick and drew a penalty as he was hooked by Kings defenseman Luke Schenn on the scoring opportunity at 12:47. Vancouver would not be successful with the man advantage.
All Strengths—B.Horvat +6; D.Dorsett +5; B.Gaunce +4
Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.
Both teams would be 4 on 4 in the first minute of the second period as Alex Burrows for the Canucks and Jake Muzzin would both be sent off with minor penalties at 56-seconds.
With Burrows sitting in the sin bin, Dan Hamhuis would open the scoring with his second goal in two games, 2nd goal of the season, to make it 1-0 Vancouver at 2:29 of the middle period, on a tip-in; assisted by Daniel Sedin (31) and Linden Vey (10).
Canucks would be on the power play for the second time in the game at 4:59, when Alex Burrows would be interfered with in front of the Kings net by Brayden McNabb. Vancouver would end the man advantage being 0 for 2 on the power play.
Nearing the halfway point, the Kings were 4 for 7 on face-offs; and out shooting the Canucks 5-3.
Los Angeles would tie the game up at 1-1 at 10:07 on a shot by Drew Doughty, his 13 goal of the season, assisted by Rob Scuderi (6) and Anze Kopitar (37).
Soon after the Kings goal, Los Angeles would receive their first power play of the game when Alex Burrows would be sent off for tripping Brayden McNabb at 10:51.
Anze Kopitar would put the Kings up 2-1 on the power play, with his 20th goal of the season at 12:06, to make a one goal deficit into a one goal lead in a minute and fifty-nine seconds. Assists to Drew Doughty (30) and Jake Muzzin (28).
With under six minutes left in the period, the Canucks would get their third man advantage of the game, when Jared McCann would be elbowed by Trevor Lewis at 14:24. The Kings would make it 0 for 3 for the Canucks on the power play.
It would not take long for another man advantage for the Canucks, as a short time later, off a scoring play, the Kings would be penalized for delay of game on a clearing attempt, at 17:03 as Brayden McNabb would be penalized.
Then on the power play, the Canucks would be penalized for too many men on the ice, with 44-seconds left in the man advantage, at 18:33.
Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.
Vancouver entered the 3rd period, looking for their second win in a row but down a goal, needing to make a push early in the period to even things up at 2-2.
The Kings were making things tough for Vancouver as they only had three registered shots on net after seven and a half minutes in the period.
Jeff Carter for the Kings would make it 3-1 at 11:39, on his 8th shot of the night. His 16th of the season, assisted by Anze Kopitar (38).
Vancouver’s Derek Dorsett and the Kings Brayden McNabb would get fighting majors at 11:56.
The Kings would make it two goals in 39-seconds, and extend their lead by two goals, as Vincent Lecavalier, put it by Ryan Miller for his 6th goal of the season, assisted by Alec Martinez (18).
Drew Doughty would be sent to the penalty box at 12:49, and during the power play, Miller would be pulled for a 6th attacker with 5:26 left in the game. The Canucks would end up 0 for 5 on the power play.
The Canucks would continue to play with Miller out of his net, and the Kings would make it 5-1, on an empty netter by Jeff Carter at 16:03, his second goal of the period; his 300th of his career and 17 goal of the season. Assisted by Milan Lucic (25).
The Vancouver Canucks (24-27-12) looked to pick up their first win of March, on the second visit by the San Jose Sharks (35-22-6) in five days, on Thursday night.
Vancouver could not find a way to win against division rival San Jose for the second time, after taking a one goal lead into the final period, this time losing 3-2 to San Jose, as the Sharks scored three unanswered goals, two in the 3rd, to pull out the win, and move further ahead of the Canucks for the final playoff spot in the Pacific division.
“Our 2nd period wasn’t great, game got away from us. San Jose came with a better effort in the 2nd and it made the difference” – Desjardins
Source: Vancouver Canucks Twitter
Jake Virtanen with a goal and an assist; Sven Baertschi with a goal; Dan Hamhuis with two assists; Chris Tanev with a helper; and Ryan Miller stopped 27 of 30 shots, to lead the Canucks.
Markus Granlund, Daniel Sedin, Bo Horvat, Ben Hutton, and Alex Biega had good games in the loss.
“After their second goal, we stepped back. We didn’t start to play in the 3rd until they went up 3-2. We needed more” – H. Sedin
Source: Vancouver Canucks Twitter
Penalty kill is 37 for 43 in last 14 games for 86.0 percent, 4th best in the NHL since January 25, after going 3 for 4 tonight.
Power play is 6 for 22 in last 9 games for 27.3 percent, 5th best in the NHL since February 12, after going 0 for 1 tonight.
Ryan Miller is 3-5-1 in his last 9 game starts, with a 2.35 GAA and .926 Sv%, after tonight’s game.
Jacob Markstrom is 6-4-1 in his last 11 game starts, with a 2.59 GAA and .914 Sv%,
The same two teams meet again in their next games in San Jose on Saturday night.
GAME REVIEW
The Canucks started the game taking the play to the Sharks, out shooting them 8-1 after a an unsuccessful power play opportunity when Michael Haley went off for hooking Bo Horvat at 4:59.
Vancouver would score 15-seconds after their power play when Jake Virtanen would put in his 6th goal, at 7:14, on a backhand shot, with assists from Dan Hamhuis (7) and Chris Tanev (12), to give the Canucks a 1-0 lead.
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 3: Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks fires a shot at Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 3, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
With eight minutes left in the period, the Canucks led in shots 13-4 but were 4 for 13 on face-offs.
Dan Hamhuis would get a holding penalty with 4:55 left in the opening period, giving the Sharks their first power play of the game. Alex Burrows had a great shorthanded opportunity for the Canucks but hit the goal post, as Vancouver would kill the penalty.
Sven Baertschi would make it 2-0, as the line of Virtanen-Granlund and Baertschi, was all over the Sharks in their end.
It was Baertschi’s 13 goal, and 11th in the last 28 games, at 18:31, assisted by Dan Hamhuis (8) and Jake Virtanen (5).
EV 5v5—M.Granlund +6; D.Hamhuis +6; J. Virtanen +5; S.Baertschi +4
All Strengths—D.Hamhuis +7; M.Granlund +7; J. Virtanen +6; S.Baertschi +6
Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.
Sharks came out motivated in the second period, building up a quick 4-0 lead in shots, and having most of the play in the Vancouver zone, within the first minute and a half.
The Canucks would finally turn the tables and get some time in the Sharks end, trying to go up by three goals in the game.
San Jose dominated the first five minutes, out shooting Vancouver 9-2 and winning 4 of 5 face-offs.
Derek Dorsett received a penalty for slashing Joe Thornton at 6:23, giving the Sharks the man advantage opportunity, their second of the game, but they could not score.
Nearing the ten minute mark, Sharks continued to out shoot the Canucks, 13-4, and won 5 of 9 face-offs.
San Jose would finally put one past Ryan Miller on a deflected shot at 10:29 but it would come under review for a possible high stick in front of the net. The goal would stand.
“That’s 100 per cent a high-stick on their first goal, I just watched the replay. Big game for us and they call that a goal” – Miller
Source: Vancouver Canucks Twitter
Thomas Hertle, his 16 goal, assisted by Brent Burn (34) and Joe Thornton (46), cutting the Canucks lead to one goal at 2-1.
With 7:48 left in the period, Vancouver was finally dominating face-offs, with a 7-5 advantage but were still being out shot 14-4, as the Canucks were anything but overly physical at laying the body on the San Jose players in the Vancouver zone.
Derek Dorsett of the Canucks and Michael Haley of the Sharks would receive fighting majors at 13:02. It was the first fight between them in the NHL.
VANCOUVER, BC – MARCH 3: Derek Dorsett #15 of the Vancouver Canucks and Micheal Haley #38 of the San Jose Sharks fight during their NHL game at Rogers Arena March 3, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Ben Hutton would go off for covering up the puck with 4:56 left in the period, the Sharks third power play of the game, second of the period, and they would be 0 for 3.
With under a minute left in the period, Daniel Sedin would get a penalty for high sticking at 19:03.
All Strengths—D.Hamhuis +5; L.Sbisa +5; M. Granlund +3; J.Virtanen +3
Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.
The Canucks went into the final period with a one-goal lead, the same situation they had on Sunday night against this same team, when the Sharks would score four straight times, to pull out a victory.
How would it end in this game?
Brent Burns on the power play would even the game up at 2-2 for the Sharks, on their first shot of the period. His 22 goal of the season at 0:43, assisted by Thomas Hertl (19).
The Canucks would get caught up in the Sharks end, as Dan Hamhuis pinched in, and the Sharks broke out of their end to score to get their first lead of the game at 3-2.
Patrick Marleau, his 19th goal, at 5:29, assisted by Joonas Donskoi (18) and Logan Couture (17).
Can you say Déjà vu?
With 4:52 left, Sharks out shooting Canucks 6-4.
With time winding down, the Canucks and Sharks slowed the game up to unbearable proportions, unbelievable for the Canucks who should be motivated in front of their home fans to out work the Sharks.
With 2:21 left on the clock Ryan Miller was pulled for an extra attacker, in an attempt to get the tying goal.
Vancouver was unable to get sustained pressure in the San Jose zone, but with 66-seconds left, they would get a face-off in the Sharks end and take their time-out.
Daniel Sedin would get a glorious opportunity but was robbed by Martin Jones, and that would be as close as they would get.
Sharks winning 3-2, out scoring Vancouver 2-0 in the final period.
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff MARCH 27, 2016
Andrew Phillip Chernoff 