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Calgary Dominate Canucks In 4-1 Win Burying The Nail Deeper In Vancouver’s Playoff Hopes

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    FEBRUARY 6, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks (20-20-12) hosted division opponent Calgary Flames (23-25-3) tonight at Rogers Place, in a key divisional game; the final game of a three game home stand.

Calgary visited Vancouver for their second game in consecutive nights after losing 2-1 at home to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.

Vancouver was looking for a better finish against Calgary tonight and end their 3 game losing streak, and salvage a victory on their three game home stand.

Coach Willie Desjardins told reporters after the  morning skate, that the Canucks, “have to find ways to win games or we will not stay in the playoff hunt.”

Desjardins added it was time for his players “to really focus on our game”, and not the games of the teams ahead of them or behind them, in their division.

So, how would they do?

Vancouver could not find a way to win, and dealt themselves a serious blow to their playoff chances, as they lost their 4rth consecutive game; including all three games on their brief home stand, as the Calgary Flames out battled and out worked the Canucks to win 4-1.

Emerson Etem had the lone Vancouver goal; Linden Vey had an assist; Alex Burrows had a helper; Ryan Miller stopped 26 of 28 shots for a .929 Sv%.

The first 7:38 of the game had a good pace to it, as their was only been two whistles, with 5:40 between them,and both teams created scoring chances and shots on net, with Calgary having a 5 to 2 advantage.

The Flames would draw a penalty in the Canuck end, with a scoring attempt, to get the first power play of the game. Alex Edler for tripping David Jones at 10:21.

Brandon Sutter got a good scoring attempt shorthanded but was unable to finish the play to put Vancouver up by a goal. Canucks would be successful in killing the penalty.

With 6:55 left in the opening period Calgary was out shooting Vancouver 6-4; out hitting the Canucks 7-3 and leading on face-off wins, 4-2.

With 4:34 left in the period, Luca Sbisa of the Canucks and Micheal Ferland of Calgary would draw offsetting fighting majors.

The Flames were winning all the key battles in the period, as it was nearing an end. Vancouver was trying but Calgary continued to dominate shots, face-offs and the physical side of the game. Canucks were kept wide to the outside, along the boards for the most part, unable to get in front of Hiller.

Game scoreless after the opening period.

After one period:

  • Team Shots On Net: Calgary-7; Canucks-5;  Team Hits: Flames-9; Canucks-6
  • Team Face-offs: Flames-7/13; Canucks-6/13;  Team Blocked Shots: Canucks-5; Flames-3
  • Team Takeaways: Flames-1; Canucks-0;  Team Giveaways: Flames-2; Canucks-1
  • Power Play: Flames:0/1;  Penalty Kill: Canucks: 1/1
  • Individual Shots: 5 Canucks with 1 shot each;   Individual Hits: D. Dorsett: 2 hits
  • Individual Face-offs: H. Sedin: 3/5; B.Horvat: 2/5; B. Sutter: 1/2
  • Teams Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—>Flames-13; Canucks-12
    • All Strengths—>Flames-15; Canucks-13
  • Canucks Individual Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—>A.Edler +3; A.Burrows –1; B.Hutton -1
    • All Strengths—>A.Edler +3; B.Sutter +3; J.Virtanen +2

The second period started with more of the same of the first period, with Calgary having an edge on the play over Vancouver.

Approaching the first five minutes, Canucks were just out shooting Calgary 5-4, but Calgary continued to out hit, and dominate the face-off circle, and take their game to the Canucks.

And it would pay off.

The Flames would score the opening goal of the game to take a 1-0 lead. Michael Frolik, his 9th of the season, on a tip-in, assisted by TJ Brodie (23) and Mikael Backlund (18), at 6:25.

After the Calgary goal, Vancouver made an more aggressive effort to get puck action in front of the Calgary net,unlike the opening period, and were succeeding, but the Flames did a great job of boxing out the front of the net and the middle of the slot, frustrating the Canucks as Hiller and the Flames were able to withstand Vancouver swarming the net.

At 15:35 Sam Bennett of the Flames would receive a penalty for slashing Bo Horvat, putting the Canucks on their first power play of the game. Canucks had two shots on the power play but were unable to score.

The middle frame ended with Calgary up in the score, 1-0.

After two periods:

  • Team Shots On Net: Canucks-23; Flames-16;  Team Hits: Flames-14; Canucks-11
  • Team Face-offs: Flames: 14/23; Canucks: 9/23;  Team Blocked Shots: Canucks-9; Flames-8
  • Team Takeaways: Flames-2; Canucks-0;   Team Giveaways: Flames-7; Canucks-2
  • Power Play: Flames-0/1; Canucks-0/1;    Penalty Kill: Flames-1/1; Canucks-1/1
  • Individual Shots: J.Hansen & E.Etem-3 each;   Individual Hits: D.Dorsett-3; B.Sutter-2
  • Individual Face-offs: H.Sedin: 5/10; B.Horvat: 2/6; B.Sutter: 2/5
  • Teams Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—> Canucks-39; Flames-27
    • All Strengths—> Canucks-44; Flames-30
  • Canucks Individual Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—> D.Hamhuis +10; H.Sedin +6; J.Virtanen +6; B.Sutter, D.Sedin, J.Hansen: +5 each
    • All Strengths—> B.Sutter +10; D.Hamhuis, H.Sedin, D. Sedin; A.Edler: +9 each

Vancouver entered the final period of the game with a poor record trailing after two periods, and needed to finish around the Calgary net, to pull out a win to keep pace with Arizona, Anaheim and San Jose.

The Canucks needed to dig down deep and find a way to win and that was not evident the  last three previous games.

Calgary made it three periods in a row that they took the play to the Canucks off the period face-off, using their speed to get some offensive zone time and generate some shots on Ryan Miller and around the Canucks net, to give themselves an early two goal lead.

As the Canucks made it to the eight minute mark, Calgary had the edge in shots on net 5-2, while Vancouver had a number of chances that they could not get on net.

Just under 12 minutes left, Calgary scored a goal but it was ruled that their was a glove pass on the play and it was disallowed.

Henrik Sedin was due for a goal, as he came into the game, scoreless in his last 16 games played.

At 10:01, Radim Vrbata of Vancouver received a penalty for hooking Ladislav Smid, putting the Flames on the power play with a great chance to go up by two goals, with the man advantage. Vancouver would kill the penalty giving themselves a chance to work at tying the game.

Calgary was out shooting Vancouver with 6:41 left, being aggressive to keep Vancouver to the outside and keep them from penetrating in front of the net. Very similar to the Columbus and Nashville games.

With less than five minutes left in the game, the Flames would add their second goal of the game when Sean Monahan would score, giving the Canucks a tough set back to overcome to force overtime, with Calgary now leading 2-0.

Monahan, his 16th of the season, on a wrist shot, assisted by Jiri Hudler (21) and Sam Bennett(10) at 15:07.

Soon after getting the two goal lead, Calgary would almost make it 3-0, but the puck would not cross the goal line, and Alex Edler would come to the rescue.

Vancouver would pull Miller for the extra attacker in an effort to make a comeback, and get within a goal, but the Flames would score an empty net goal to disappoint Canuck fans.

Mikael Backland, his 6th, on a wrist shot, at 17:45, unassisted.

Canuck’s Emerson Etem would break Hiller’s shutout, pulling the Canucks within two goals at 3-1 at 18:26.

Etem, his 1rst goal of the season, assisted by Linden Vey (6) and Alex Burrows (8).

With the Canuck net empty a second time for an extra attacker, the Flames would score another empty net goal, at 19:24.

Sam Bennett, his 14th goal, on a wrist shot, assisted by Michael Frolik (11) and TJ Brodie (24).

Canucks on the losing end by a score of 4-1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canucks Lack Of Scoring And Inability To Rally Defensively Hamper Playoff Chances

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    FEBRUARY 5, 2016

As the Canucks move into the last 31 games of the season, a couple of things become fact after much speculation as the season has progressed.

Vancouver has seen a drop in even strength goals, power play goals, power play opportunities; and the increased inability to compensate defensively for the lack of scoring, like the Anaheim Ducks have been able to do this season.

The Canucks goals against has been consistent though, up to this point of this season.

There is an old saying that the best defense is a good offense:

The adage is used to note that success can hinge on an effective offense that keeps the puck on the other team’s side of the field, thus not only creating scoring opportunities but preventing the opposing team from scoring.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

You don’t need to look at Canuck advanced statistics to get the idea that Vancouver has been sub-par offensively but it really does make it crystal clear in so many ways, besides being remarkably depressing. So I will use regular stats that most of us are familiar with.

CANUCKS POWER PLAY SCORING AND OPPORTUNITIES OVER FIRST 50 GAMES

  • Games #1 to #25:
    • Vancouver was 18 for 91, for 19.8 percent. Team Record: 9-9-7; 68 GF & 68 GA.
    • PP goals accounted for 26.5 percent of all goals scored.
  • Games #26 to #50:
    • Vancouver was 8 for 64, for 12.5 percent. Team Record: 11-10-4; 50 GF & 69 GA.
    • PP goals accounted for 16 percent of all goals scored.
  • Comparison/Contrast Between First 25 Games and Second 25 Games:
    • 10 less man advantage goals scored and 27 less man advantage opportunities.
  • Conclusion:
    • Canucks need to draw more penalties like they were the first two months of the season and improve their capitalization of their man advantage opportunities when they do so. It’s clear that power play goals contribute immensely to to the percentage of all goals scored, and Vancouver are not scoring enough as it is at even strength to compensate for any loss of goals on the power play.

CANUCKS EVEN STRENGTH SCORING OVER FIRST 50 GAMES

  • Games #1 to #25:
    • Vancouver had 48 even strength goals. Team Record: 9-9-7; 68 GF & 68 GA.
    • EVS goals accounted for 70.6 percent of all goals scored.
  • Games #26 to #50:
    • Vancouver had 41 even strength goals. Team Record: 11-10-4; 50 GF & 69 GA.
    • EVS goals accounted for 82 percent of all goals scored.
  • Comparison/Contrast Between First 25 Games and Second 25 Games:
    • 7 less man even strength goals scored and 18 less goals scored overall.
  • Conclusion:
    • While Vancouver was getting scored on at the same rate, the Canucks total goal production dropped off by 26.5 percent and their EVS goals dropped by 14.6 percent.
    • Coupled with 10 less man advantage goals scored and 27 less man advantage opportunities, as illustrated above, the Canucks scoring is being severely impacted by the lack of burying the puck in the net, especially on the power play.

CANUCKS GOALS AGAINST OVER FIRST 50 GAMES

  • Games #1 to #25:
    • Vancouver had 68 goals against. Team Record: 9-9-7.
    • Team GAA of 2.72. Team Sv% of .923.
    • Total shots against: 737
  • Games #26 to #50:
    • Vancouver had 69 goals against. Team Record: 11-10-4.
    • Team GAA of 2.76. Team Sv% of .824
    • Total shots against: 837
  • Comparison/Contrast Between First 25 Games and Second 25 Games:
    • +1 goal against and a -.099 drop in Sv%.
    • +100 shots against.
  • Conclusion:
    • Along with the appearance of, or fact of, being unable to reduce goals against and shots against, sufficiently to compensate for the lack of goal production, this has left the Canucks with a predicament.

Vancouver are running out of games to execute a timely turnaround that will result in a playoff appearance at the end of this season.

Canucks need to improve even strength goal production; get back to drawing penalties and capitalizing on them as they did early in the season; reduce their goals against; reduce their shots against; tighten up defensively as a team until the goals start to come.

On a positive note, Vancouver’s penalty killing has improved. After the initial 25 games played, they were 61 for 79 for 77.2 percent.

The next 25 games they were 67 for 80 for 83.8 percent.

Now it’s just a matter of working on the rest of the things, and the Canucks Stanley Cup Parade will be in Vancouver quicker than we might think.

 

Canucks Lose To Columbus In Shoot Out, Drop Further Back In Playoff Battle

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    FEBRUARY 5, 2016

CANUCKS LET IMPORTANT POINT SLIP AWAY


The Vancouver Canucks (20-19-12) hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets (20-28-5) last night at Rogers Place, in-game two of a three game home stand.

Columbus visited Vancouver in the second of a three game Western Canada road trip that started Tuesday night against Edmonton, with a 5-1 loss, and finishes tonight against Calgary.

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 4: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save on Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena February 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 4: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save on Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena February 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Linden Vey scored his 2nd goal of the season (2-3=5 in last 8 games played);  Bo Horvat had an assist (7-6=13 in last 12 games played); Sven Baertschi picked up a helper (4-3=7 in last 11 games played); and Ryan Miller stopped 27 of 28 shots for a .964 Sv%., but it was not enough as the Canucks ended the game on the short end of the score, losing 2-1 to Columbus in a shoot out; their second straight loss on their current 3-game home stand.

Miller is now 1-3-2 in his last 6 game starts, with a 2.27 GAA, and .934 Sv%. Last 8 game starts at home, he is 4-3-1 with a 2.01 GAA, and .930 Sv%.

The Blue Jackets took the game to the Canucks from the opening face-off, getting the first shots of the game and getting scoring chances on Miller.Columbus outhitting Canucks 6-1, out shooting Vancouver 2-0 after five minutes played.

Canucks were getting shots, but missing the net as the period continued but with 12:18 left, Canucks were out shot 3-1; out hit, 6-1, losing face-offs 3-1;had 2 giveaways; 3 blocked shots.

Vancouver got their first break of the game when the first power play of the game went to the Canucks as Cam Atkinson hooked Ben Hutton at 7:42.

Canucks would score on power play as Linden Vey, his 2nd goal of the season from Sven Baertschi (9) and Bo Horvat (14) at 9:05, put Vancouver up 1-0.

The rest of the period saw the Canucks take their game to the Blue Jackets as they eventually took the lead on shots, and started to be competitive in the face-off circle.

The Canucks would hold the lead after the opening period, 1-0.

After one period:

  • Team Shots On Net: 10-9 Canucks; Team Hits: 13-2 Columbus; Team Face-offs: 8-6 Columbus
  • Team Blocked Shots: 5-3 Canucks; Team Takeaways: 0-0; Team Giveaways: 4-1 Canucks
  • Power Play: 1 for 1 Canucks; Penalty Kill: 0 for 1 Columbus; Individual Shots: Edler, Hutton, Sutter, Vey: 2 shots each
  • Individual Hits: Edler,Vrbata: 1 hit each; Individual Face-offs: Horvat, 2 for 4; H.Sedin, 2 for 6.
  • Teams Corsi For: EV 5v5—> 18 Columbus; 16 Canucks; Teams Corsi For: All Strengths—> 18 Columbus; 17 Canucks
  • Individual Corsi For: EV 5v5—> Sbisa +5; Hutton +4; Sutter & D.Sedin +2 each; Individual Corsi For: All Strengths—> Sbisa +5; Hutton +5; Sutter & D.Sedin +2 each.

In the middle frame, the Canucks received their first penalty of the game on a sloppy change at 1:44 for too many men on the ice. Sven Baertschi would serve the bench minor.

The Canucks killed the penalty but soon after, Columbus got a great scoring opportunity and the Blue Jackets drew a Canuck penalty on the play.

Sven Baertschi went off at 4:16 for holding Boone Jenner. Vancouver would kill off the shorthand situation for a perfect 2 for 2 on the penalty kill.

The Canucks spent the majority of the opening minutes of the second period shorthanded and it allowed Columbus to get the momentum in the game.

Blue Jackets continued to dominate the Canucks on hits and face-off wins, and eventually started to out shoot Vancouver as they neared the halfway point of the middle frame.

With under five minutes left in the period, the Blue Jackets were dominating the Canucks in their end, when the Canucks would break out and spend some time in the Columbus zone trying to go up by two goals in the game. Both teams would exchange time on the offense but shots were few and the period ended without any goals.

Canucks still leading after two period, 1-0.

After two periods:

  • Team Shots On Net: 7-7; Team Hits: 22-7 Columbus; Team Face-offs: 14-12 Canucks
  • Team Blocked Shots: 9-8 Canucks; Team Takeaways: 3-1 Canucks; Team Giveaways: 8-2 Canucks
  • Power Play: 1 for 1 Canucks; Penalty Kill: 2 for 2 Canucks; 0 for 1 Columbus
  • Individual Shots: Vey and Edler, 4 shots each; Individual Hits: Edler, 3 hits; Biega, 2 hits
  • Individual Face-offs: Sutter, 4 for 4; Horvat, 5 for 7; Vey, 2 for 5; H.Sedin, 2 for 9.
  • Teams Corsi For: EV 5v5—>Columbus-31; Canucks-28; Teams Corsi For: All Strengths—>Columbus-34; Canucks-30
  • Individual Corsi For: EV 5v5—>Sbisa +8; Hutton +6; Burrows & Etem, +3 each; Individual Corsi For: All Strengths—>Sbisa +7; Hutton +6; Etem & Vey, +3 each

The Canucks came out in the last period playing sloppy including being caught on another sloppy change that resulted in a Columbus scoring opportunity.

Jared McCann would answer that with a great scoring opportunity of his own but was stopped cold by the Blue Jackets goaltender.

Vancouver would get another power play opportunity when Chris Tanev was  high sticked by Rene Bourque at 6:06. Canucks power play had great scoring opportunities and great puck movement, even hitting a goalpost, but were unable to bury the puck with the man advantage.

After killing off a penalty, the Blue Jackets received a power play of their own when Jared McCann would go off for hooking Brandon Dubinsky at 8:35.

Columbus would waste little time taking advantage of their third power play of the game, when Scott Hartnell would score to even up the game at 1-1, 31 some 31-seconds later.

Hartnell, his 18th goal of the season, on a wrist shot, assisted by Cam Atkinson (16) and Ryan Murray (13) at 9:06.

Canucks continued to press for the another goal but kept wasting their opportunities.

Going into the last five minutes of the third period, it was anybody’s game.

Vancouver dominated the final five minutes of the game, with the Blue Jacket goalie coming up with save after save, as the Canucks kept pressing.

The game would end tied at 1-1 in regulation play and go to overtime.

Canucks were 3-9 in the season going into overtime, and needed the extra point to keep pace with Anaheim and Arizona.

Columbus player William Karlsson would get a penalty for interference at 2:26 and the Canucks went on a 4 on 3 power play.

The Canucks power play could not score and Ryan Miller would end up making a great save to send the game to a shoot out to decide the game winner.

Columbus won the game 2-1 in the shoot out.

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 4: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets stops Sven Baertschi #47 of the Vancouver Canucks on a shootout attempt during their NHL game at Rogers Arena February 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Columbus won 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 4: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets stops Sven Baertschi #47 of the Vancouver Canucks on a shootout attempt during their NHL game at Rogers Arena February 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Columbus won 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Vancouver sits in 5th place in the Pacific division, with 52 points and are 3 points behind Anaheim and 2 points behind Arizona, in 3rd and 4rth respectively; and 6 points behind 2nd place San Jose.

CANUCKS GAME NOTES

  • Vancouver ended their consecutive streak at home of not winning the face-off battle against their opponent, at 16 games, as they won 31 of 56 face-offs against Columbus tonight.
  • Canucks ended their consecutive games streak without a power play goal at 6 games tonight.
  • Vancouver ended their consecutive streak at home of opponents scoring the opening goal at 8 games, with the Linden Vey goal tonight.

GAME REVIEW

CORSI STATS

CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS

WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS

STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS

 

Vancouver Hosts Tortorella and Columbus In First Game After All-Star Break

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    FEBRUARY 4, 2016

screenshot-canucks nhl com 2016-02-04 09-03-31

The Vancouver Canucks (20-19-11) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (19-28-5) tonight at Rogers Place, in game two of a three game home stand.

The Canucks are 6-5-1 in their last 12 home games; and 5-3-2 overall in their last 10 games.

Vancouver will try to avoid having the first goal of the game scored by their opponent tonight, as they have allowed the opening goal to their opposition in 8 consecutive home games.

Columbus visits Vancouver for game two of a three game Western Canada road trip that started Tuesday night against Edmonton, with a 5-1 loss, as Edmonton scored five unanswered goals in the last two periods, after the Blue Jackets opened up the scoring in the opening period.

The Blue Jackets are  4-6-2 in their last 12 games, including suffering four straight losses (0-3-1) in that span between January 5 and January 12.

The Canucks are 8-5-2 in their last 15 games overall; 4-3-1, at home since December 22nd.

Since January 5, Vancouver boasts the 4th-highest penalty kill percentage in the NHL at 91.7 percent.

Optional Canucks skate this morning; 13 skaters and two goalies. February 4, 2016 on Vancouver Canucks Twitter

Since December 13, the Canucks power play has been zeros and ones:

  • From December 13 thru January 1, the power play was 0 for 20, over 9 games and their record was 4-4-1.
  • Then from January 4 thru January 14, the Canucks power play had a  single power play goal in five consecutive games, 5 for 16; their record, 2-2-1.
  • Since January 15, Vancouver has gone 6 games with zero power play goals, 0 for 8, with their record 3-2-1.

Dan Hamhuis will not play after missing 20 games with facial fractures but may be a game away from actually playing. Henrik Sedin expects to play after missing four games because of a shoulder injury, and should be in the line-up.

“We’re healthy, we have a good schedule. We just have to take care of business,” Daniel Sedin told the Canucks website. “We know we can be a really good team when everyone’s going, and we’re going to have to bring it [Thursday].”

Source: canucks.nhl.com

CANUCKS PREVIOUS GAME

In their first home game since the completion of their 6-game road trip, the Canucks fell behind early, and found it difficult to execute their game plan against the Predators, who played well in all facets of their game.

Brandon Sutter scored his first goal in 33 games on his return to the line-up from a sports hernia operation;  Chris Tanev had an assist (1-7=8 in last 15 games played); Daniel Sedin picked up a helper (5-2=7 in last 12 games played); and Ryan Miller stopped 17 of 19 shots for a .895 Sv%., but it was not enough as the Canucks ended the game on the short end of the score, losing 2-1 to Nashville, to begin their 3-game home stand.

CANUCKS IN JANUARY 2016

  • Bo Horvat had 12 points in 12 games (7-5=12) to lead Vancouver.
    • Horvat scored 25.9% of the Canucks’ goals.
  • Henrik Sedin had 4 points in 8 games (0-4=4)
  • Sven Baertschi had 6 points in 10 games (4-2=6)
  • Chris Tanev had 6 points in 12 games (1-6=7)
  • Linden Vey had 6 points in 12 games (1-5=6)
  • Daniel Sedin had 7 points in 12 games (5-2=7)
  • Daniel Sedin had 5 goals in 12 games (18.5 percent of Canucks goals)
  • Shooting Percentage:
    • Sven Baertschi: 30.8 percent
    • Bo Horvat: 24.1 percent
    • Chris Tanev: 20 percent
    • Jannick Hansen: 20 percent
    • Daniel Sedin: 12.5 percent
    • Alex Burrows: 10.5 percent
    • Jake Virtanen: 7.1 percent
  • Canucks record in:
    • 6-4-2=14 PTS in  12 games played (tied for 11th best in the NHL)
    • They have 27 goals for; 30 goals against (tied for 18th best in NHL).
    • They are 5 for 27 on the power play for 18.5 percent (11th best in the NHL)
    • Their penalty killing is 24 for 28, 85.7 percent ( 11th best in the NHL)
    • Face-off winning percentage is 45.6 percent (30th in the NHL)
  • Jacob Markstrom started 7 games and was 5-1-1 with a 2.14 GAA and .931 Sv%. His GAA was 11th best and his Sv% was 13th best, minimum 4 games played.
  • Ryan Miller started 5 games and was 1-3-1 with a 2.56 GAA and .929 Sv%.
  • Canucks had 4 games of 40 or more shots against; 7 games of 30 or more shots against; and 11 games of 28 or more shots against.
  • Vancouver had 4 games of 30 to 38 shots for; 8 games of 25 to 38 shots for; 4 games of 20 to 23 shots for.
  • Canucks averaged 2.25 goals for per game; 2.50 goals against per game.

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

  • Canucks are averaging 2.36 goals per game. For an 82 game schedule the estimate is Vancouver will finish with 194 goals. The least number of goals ever scored by a Vancouver team in a full season of 82 games are 192 by the 1998-99 Canucks. 
    • Canucks need to average 2.34 goal per game over their last 32 games for 193 goals, to avoid 2015-16 being the season for the least number of goals ever scored by a Vancouver team.
  • Canucks penalty kill is  29 for 32, 90.6 percent in their last 12 home games shorthanded for 5th best in the NHL.
  • Vancouver’s power play is 6 for 40, 15 percent  in their last 12 home games with the man advantage, tied for 6th worst in the NHL.
  • Vancouver has points in 8 of its last 12 (6-4-2=14 pts) & 13 of its last 21 games (10-8-3=23 pts).
  • Vancouver had scored a power play goal in five straight games, where they have had at least one man advantage; they were 5 for 16 during that stretch, 31.3 percent, which ended against the Islanders.
  • Canucks power play is 4 for 22 in their last 10 games with the man advantage, for 18.2 percent, for 13th best in the NHL.
  • Vancouver’s penalty kill is 22 for 24 in their last 10 games shorthanded, for 91.7 percent, 4th best in the NHL.
  • Canucks penalty kill in last 15 games is 38 for 44 for 86.4 percent. The previous 15 games, they were 41 for 54 for 75.9 percent.

Vancouver sits in 5th place in the Pacific division, with 51 points and are 2 points behind both Anaheim and Arizona, in 3rd and 4rth respectively; and 5 points behind 2nd place San Jose.

screenshot-canucks nhl com 2016-02-04 08-53-49

Coach Desjardins said there’s little room for error the rest of the season. “It’ll be tight down the stretch here and we’re ready for that”

Source: Vancouver Canucks Twitter

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS NOTES (from canucks.nhl.com)

  • The Jackets are looking to bounce back from a 5-1 loss to Edmonton on Tuesday. Matt Calvert had the lone goal in the loss.
  • Since Tortorella took over as head coach, Columbus has averaged 2.64 goals per game which would put them in the top-half of the league.
  • Red hot Columbus forwards lately include Brandon Saad (3 goals in last 3 games), Scott Hartnell (3-game point streak), Boone Jenner (4 points in last 3 games), Cam Atkinson (4 goals and 5 points in last 3 games), and Brandon Dubinsky (5 points in last 3 games).
  • Only 14 goals have come from defencemen this season for the Blue Jackets. The arrival of Seth Jones via trade from Nashville is supposed to help with that.
  • Goalie Joonas Korpisalo has started the last four in a row in place of the injured Sergei Bobrovsky.
  • Columbus has allowed a league-high 3.19 goals against per game.

The Blue Jackets are in last place in the Metropolitan division, 15 points out of a playoff spot and 9 points behind 7th place Philadelphia.

screenshot-bluejackets nhl com 2016-02-04 08-57-26

VANCOUVER CANUCKS ADVANCED STATISTICS

JANUARY 1, 2016  TO  JANUARY 31, 2016

EVEN STRENGTH 5V5

ALL TEAM STRENGTHS

CANUCKS PLAYERS ADVANCED STATS

EVEN STRENGTH 5V5

ALL TEAM STRENGTHS

WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS

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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS

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2015-2016 VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS ALL TEAMS

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CANUCKS PLAYER STATS

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BLUE JACKETS PLAYER STATS

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STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Nashville Knocks Vancouver Out Of Playoff Picture With 2-1 Win

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    January 27, 2016

 

The Vancouver Canucks (20-19-11) hosted the Nashville Predators (23-18-8) last night at Rogers Place, beginning a three game home stand.

In Vancouver’s first home game since the completion of their 6-game road trip, the Canucks fell behind early, and found it difficult to execute their game plan against the Predators, who played well in all facets of their game.

VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 26: Brandon Sutter #21 of the Vancouver Canucks scores on Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 26, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 26: Brandon Sutter #21 of the Vancouver Canucks scores on Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 26, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Brandon Sutter scored his first goal in 33 games on his return to the line-up from a sports hernia operation;  Chris Tanev had an assist (1-7=8 in last 15 games played); Daniel Sedin picked up a helper (5-2=7 in last 12 games played); and Ryan Miller stopped 17 of 19 shots for a .895 Sv%., but it was not enough as the Canucks ended the game on the short end of the score, losing 2-1 to Nashville, to begin their 3-game home stand.

The Canucks are now 6-5-1 in their last 12 home games; and in their last four home games, are 2-1-1.

VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 26: Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a glove save against the Nashville Predators during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 26, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Nashville won 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 26: Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a glove save against the Nashville Predators during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 26, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Nashville won 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Nashville Predators, on a fast start, opened up the game with some great scoring opportunities and eventually popped one of them in, opening up the scoring on their first shot on net, to take a 1-0 lead before most were able to sit down with their beer and popcorn.

Craig Smith, his 11th goal of the season, on a deflected shot, assisted by Mike Fisher (5) and Mattias Ekholm (14) at 0:59.

Once again, the Canucks were caught flatfooted, as another opponent scored the opening goal on home ice, thinking that the All-Star break started a little early and they didn’t have to earn it.

And it was more of the same, the rest of the game.

It took seven minutes but the Canucks would catch up to the Predators in shots with 2 each, eventually overtaking Nashville on a great Bo Horvat rush to the Predators net, where he not only got the shot off but crashed the net.

The Predators were not only dominating the game in scoring opportunities but also ruling the face-off circle as they went into the last half of the period, winning 5 of 7 face-offs, including 3 for 3 in the neutral zone.

Brandon Sutter would work his magic in his first game back, as he was instrumental in the Canucks first goal of the game, on their 6th shot of the opening period. Sutter fed Daniel Sedin as pass, who then returned the puck to him, and Sutter buried the puck behind Pekka Rinne to tie the game at 1-1.

Sutter, his first goal in 33 games, his 5th of the season, on a deflected shot, assisted by Daniel Sedin (23) and Chris Tanev (10), at 11:39.

The Predators would get the first power play of the game when Emerson Etem would get a minor penalty for tripping Miikka Salomaki at 12:09.

Sutter would have a chance shorthanded to give Vancouver the lead as he went in on Rinne all alone but was unable to score.

With 4:08 left, the Canucks were out shooting Nashville 10-6, and the Predators continued to dominate the faceoff circle, as they had won 9 of 12 face-offs up to that point.

At 15:54 Derek Dorsett and Cody Bass would drop the gloves and fight, both receiving five minute fighting majors.

Canucks, Predators 1-1 after the opening period.

After one period:

  • Canucks out shot Nashville, 12-6.
  • Nashville ruled face-offs, winning 12 of 16. A total embarrassment for Vancouver.
  • Vancouver had 6 hits to 5 for the Predators; Canucks penalty kill was 1 for 1.
  • Brandon Sutter and Alex Biega led Canucks in shots with 3 each.
  • Linden Vey was 2 for 5; Bo Horvat, 1 for 4 in Canuck face-offs.
  • Alex Biega and Adam Cracknell led Canucks in hits with 2 each.
  • Canuck players Corsi For:
    • In all situations:
      • Daniel Sedin, Matt Bartkowski, and Jannick Hansen, 8 each
      • Alex Biega and Brandon Sutter 7 each
    • Even strength 5v5:
      • Sedin and Bartkowski, 8
      • Biega and Hansen, 7
      • Sutter and Tanev, 6
  • Teams Corsi For:
    • Canucks 15, Nashville 7: at even strength 5 v5
    • Canucks 16 Nashville 8: in all situations.

Both teams came out skating for the middle frame, with the Canucks showing more desire to get the go ahead goal.

Nashville would get their second power play of the game when Matt Bartkowski would go off for tripping Filip Forsberg at 7:20.

Nashville had no shots on their power play and were being out shot 4 to 1, after the Canucks penalty kill, which was 2 for 2 in the game.

Canucks were settling down in the face-off circle, as they were 5 for11, at the 13-minute mark of the period.

Vancouver would get their first power play of the game, on a sloppy line change by Nashville, for too many men on the ice, a bench minor, at 14:28.

The Canucks once again failed to score on the power play, now 1 for 10 in their last 7 games.

Canucks were out shooting Nashville, 11 to 4 with 3:23 left in the middle period; 23 to 10 in the game.

Predators, Canucks still 1-1 after two periods.

After two periods:

  • Canucks out shooting Nashville, 24-11.
  • Nashville ruled face-offs, winning 20 of 33. A total embarrassment for Vancouver.
  • Vancouver had 10 hits to 13 for the Predators; Canucks penalty kill was 2 for 2.
  • Canucks power play 0 for 1.
  • Brandon Sutter,Alex Biega, Daniel Sedin and Sven Baertschi led Canucks in shots with 3 each.
  • Linden Vey was 5 for 10; Bo Horvat, 6 for 11 in Canuck face-offs.
  • Alex Biega, Adam Cracknell and Luca Sbisa led Canucks in hits with 2 each.
  • Teams Corsi For:
    • Canucks 27, Nashville 18 at even strength 5 v5
    • Canucks 32 Nashville 20 in all situations
  • Canuck players Corsi For:
    • In all situations:
      • Tanev, 14; Sedin and Edler, 12; Vey, Bartkowski, Baertschi, 11 each
    • Evev strength 5v5:
      • Tanev, 12 Bartkowski, 11; Edler, Biega, Sedin, 10 each

The Predators and Canucks would be out hard for the final period, but it would be Nashville that would get the first man advantage opportunity early in the period.

Ben Hutton would get a minor for hooking Mike Ribiero at 1:26. Canucks would survive being shorthanded, making it 3 for 3 on the penalty kill for the game.

The Predators would continue to press Vancouver, taking an early lead in shots in the period 5-0.

With Arizona having lost, a Canucks victory would lock the two teams in a tie in the division standings but the Canucks were not the dominating team in the period.

With 12:20 left in the game, Canucks had not registered a shot on net and were being out shot 6-0 by Nashville; but the Canucks were 2 for 3 in face-offs

The Canucks just were not being allowed to generate any offense in the Nashville end, except for the occasional rush which was not amounting to much.

Predators were doing a good job of getting in the way of Vancouver and either deflecting or blocking opportunities for shots on net or passes.

With less than eight minutes left in the game, the Canucks were generating good scoring chances but were just unable to get some puck luck to get shots on net and get the go ahead goal.

While the Canucks were trying to complete a change, Nashville took advantage of the Canucks, and went up 2-1, with time not a friend to the Canucks.

James Neal, at 15:16, his 18th of the season, on a wrist shot, from Barrett Jackman (2).

With 1:49 left and only 4 shots on net, the Canucks would get a power play when Mattias Ekholm would get penalized for holding against Bo Horvat in the neutral zone at 18:11.

Soon after the resulting face-off, the Canucks would pull Miller for the extra attacker in an attempt to get the tie breaking goal.

With the seconds ticking away, Linden Vey had a great opportunity to put the game into overtime, but would miss scoring, and Nashville would take the game, 2-1.

With the loss, Vancouver falls 5th place in the Pacific division, tied with Anaheim for 4rth, with 51 points. The Canucks are 2 points behind Arizona who are in 3rd; 5 points behind San Jose; and 12 points behind division leading Los Angeles, who have 63 points.

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GAME REVIEW

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CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS

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WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS

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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS

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STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS