Canucks Host Nashville In Last Game Before All-Star Game Break

Posted on January 26, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 26, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks (20-18-11) host the Nashville Predators (22-18-8) tonight at Rogers Place, beginning a three game home stand.

The Canucks are 6-4-1 in their last 11 home games.

Vancouver is undefeated in regulation play in their last three home games, going 2-0-1, as they look at extending that streak tonight in their last home game of January.

The Nashville Predators are in the midst of a four game Western Canada road trip that has them unbeaten with two straight wins coming into Vancouver after victories over Winnipeg and Edmonton, both by 4-1 scores.

Nashville is 4-6-1 in their last 11 games, including suffering four straight losses in that span between January 5 and January 12.

Vancouver returns to the friendly confines of Rogers Place after a 6-game road trip, where they were 3-2-1, and where Daniel Sedin scored his 347 and 348th goal in his NHL career, all in a Canucks uniform, to become the Canucks All-Time leading goal scorer, surpassing Markus Nasland, who had 346.

The Canucks are 8-4-2 in their last 14 games overall; 4-2-1, at home and on the road, since December 22nd.

Since January 5, Vancouver boasts the 5th-highest penalty kill percentage in the NHL at 90.5 percent.

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 five games with zero power play goals, 0 for 6, with their record 3-1-1.

The Canucks will have 20 home games and 13 road games remaining in their season schedule after tonight.

Brandon Sutter will play against Nashville, after missing 33 games with a sports hernia. Sutter, was injured November 10 and had surgery December 1.

COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 10: Brandon Sutter #21 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 10, 2015 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

“I’m excited to get a game in and get playing again and get my feet under me again,” -Brandon Sutter.

Source: canucks.nhl.com

As for the coach and the return of Sutter to the line-up:

“The young guys stepped in and played great, but it will be good to have him back” – Coach Desjardins on Sutter

Source: @VanCanucks Twitter

Ryan Miller will start in goal for the Canucks, his first home start since December 9, when he faced the New York Rangers and stopped 32 of 33 shots for a .970 Sv%, in a 2-1 Vancouver win. Since then, Miller has been 2-4-2 in eight road games, with a 3.42 GAA and .910 Sv%.

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 19: Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks keeps his eyes on the puck during the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Miller’s record at home this season is 5-4-3 in 12 games, with a 2.42 GAA and .920 Sv%., averaging 30.25 shots per game.

CANUCKS PREVIOUS GAME

In Vancouver’s previous game on January 23 in Pittsburgh, the final game of the 6-game road trip, the Canucks looked in complete control of their own destiny for forty-seven minutes and sixteen seconds (47:16), until Vancouver seemed completely disheveled by Linden Vey scoring on his own net, and in 5:44 of game time, the Canucks went from having a two goal, 3-1 lead, to falling behind by a goal, 4-3, to the Penguins. The two teams would exchange goals after Pittsburgh got their first lead of the game, with the Penguins winning 5 to 4.

Jannick Hansen chipped in with a hat trick, for 15 goals on the season; Bo Horvat, scored his 9th of the season (7th goal in his last 12 games); Ben Hutton had two assists (1-3=4 in 8 last 8 games played); Alex Edler and Derek Dorsett had helpers in consecutive games; Chris Tanev had an assist (1-6=7 in last 14 games played); Luca Sbisa got his first point since his return to the line up; Mike Zalewski, got his first assist as a Canuck. Ryan Miller stopped 25 of 29 shots for a .862 Sv%.

CANUCKS LAST HOME GAME

The Canucks last home game on January 11, before the 6-game road trip, was eventful, as Vancouver ended the Florida Panthers’ 12-game winning streak, the longest since the Boston Bruins went 12-0-0 from March 2 to March 22, 2014, winning 3-2 in overtime.

Jake Virtanen, would even the game at 2-2 at 17:22 of the final period.

Starting goalie, Jacob Markstrom would make some great stops in the final 2:38, as the Panthers did everything they could to get the go ahead goal, but time would run out in regulation play, with the game heading to overtime.

In the overtime, Vancouver would go to the power play as Emerson Etem would draw a penalty as Jaromir Jagr would get penalized for hooking him, at 2:07.

Then for the second time this season, the Canucks would be consecutive game spoilers, as Daniel Sedin would score on the power play, ending Florida’s consecutive winning streak, at 12 games.

As the Canucks were celebrating the win, the two benches would get into a scuffle, after words were exchanged. Cooler heads prevailed eventually allowing both teams to leave the ice, and continue the discussion of the ending with reporters.

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

In 2016, so far:

Bo Horvat has 12 points in 10 games (7-5=12)
- Horvat has scored 28% of the Canucks’ goals in this span.
Henrik Sedin has 4 points in 8 games (0-4=4)
Sven Baertschi has 6 points in 9 games (4-2=6)
Chris Tanev has 6 points in 11 games (1-5=6)
Linden Vey has 6 points in 11 games (1-5=6)
Daniel Sedin has 6 points in 11 games (5-1=6)
Daniel Sedin has 5 goals in 11 games.
Shooting Percentage:
- Sven Baertschi: 40 percent
- Bo Horvat: 26.9 percent
- Chris Tanev: 25 percent
- Jannick Hansen: 21.4 percent
- Daniel Sedin: 13.5 percent
- Alex Burrows: 11.8 percent
- Jake Virtanen: 7.7 percent
Canucks record in 2016:
- 6-3-2=14 PTS in 11 games played (tied for 9th best in the NHL)
- They have 26 goals for; 28 goals against.
- They are 5 for 25 on the power play for 20 percent (9th best in the NHL)
- Their penalty killing is 21 for 25, 84.0 ( 14th best in the NHL)
- Face-off winning percentage is 45.8 percent (30th in the NHL)
Canucks are averaging 2.39 goals per game. For an 82 game schedule the estimate is Vancouver will finish with 196 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 penalty kill is 30 for 35, 85.7 percent in their last 10 road games shorthanded. And 45 for 59 in their last 16 road games shorthanded, 76.3 percent.
Vancouver’s power play is 1 for 20, 5 percent in their last 12 road games with the man advantage.
Vancouver has points in 8 of its last 11 (6-3-2=14 pts) & 13 of its last 20 games (10-7-3=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 5 for 22 in their last 10 games with the man advantage, for 22.7 percent.
Radim Vrbata collected his 41st career shootout goal Jan. 17/16 at NYI. He shares the lead for most shootout goals in League history with Frans Nielsen. 13 of those have been GDG, which ranks t-9th in League history.

When the Canucks started their road trip, they were in 4rth place in the Pacific division, tied with San Jose for 3rd spot, with 44 points; 4 points behind Arizona, in 2nd; 3 points in front of Anaheim and 4 points ahead of Calgary.

Vancouver as of today, are in 4rth place in their division, 3 points behind 2nd place San Jose; 2 points behind Arizona in 3rd place, looking for opponents of their division adversaries, to do what they can, to give them help in making the playoffs this season. Anaheim are on the Canucks coat tails, 2 points behind the Canucks; Calgary are 6 points back, with Edmonton, 10 points out of a playoff spot.

The Canucks division rivals have consistently had games in-hand on Vancouver, and with inflated numbers in the regulation loss and overtime loss column this season, over last season, it is only in the last month that Vancouver are becoming masters of their own destiny in a positive fashion, unlike in the beginning of the season.

As for Nashville, in the Predators last game on Saturday night, Mattias Ekholm had two goals; Filip Forsberg a goal and an assist; Mike Fisher potted his 6th goal of the season. Ryan Ellis, Shea Weber, and Roman Josi assists as well, as Nashville went into Rexall Place and defeated Edmonton 4 to 1. Pekka Rinne stopped 23 of 24 shots for a .958 Sv%.

NASHVILLE PREDATOR NOTES

Ryan Johansen, who was acquired via trade from Columbus on Jan. 6, has had a highly-successful start to his career with the Nashville Predators, posting 9 points (3g-6a) in his first 8 games with the club. He notched his 200th career point (an assist) on Jan. 16 vs. Minnesota.
In 38 games with Columbus Blue Jackets: 0.69 points/game (6g-20a-26pts) In seven games with Nashville Predators: 1.29 points/game (3g-6a-9pts)
Three Nashville Predators – defensemen Shea Weber and Roman Josi, and goaltender Pekka Rinne – were selected to participate in the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, which will be held in Nashville on Jan. 30-31. Weber is making his fifth All-Star appearance, while Josi is slated to make his debut in the NHL showcase. Rinne was selected to participate in last year’s game, but was unable to attend due to injury. Weber won the Hardest Shot Competition at the 2015 Super Skills Competition with a 108.5 mph blast.
The Nashville Predators have posted at least 30 shots in a game on 26 occasions in 2015-16, including six contests where the team had 40-plus shots. The team has also allowed 25 shots or fewer in 21 games, with the season low being 15 shots on Dec. 1 vs. Arizona. Nashville ranks near the top in fewest shots allowed per game.
The Predators are 15-1-2 this season when leading after two periods. Their only regulation loss was against the St. Louis Blues.
Nashville has points in 20 of 25 games when scoring the first goal of the game, posting a 16-5-4 record.
The Predators are 11-16-3 this season when they register more shots than their opponent and are 12-4-3 when being out shot.
Nashville has played in 24 one-goal games, earning points in 18 of those contests (10-6-8 record).
The Predators have a 17-2-3 record when holding the opponent to two or fewer goals, and are 18-2-4 when scoring three goals or more.

Nashville are in 6th place in the Central division,12 points out 3rd place, and looking at a wild card position to make the playoffs at best, unless there is a remarkable change to the top three teams.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS ADVANCED STATISTICS

JANUARY 1, 2015 TO JANUARY 22, 2015

EVEN STRENGTH 5V5

ALL TEAM STRENGTHS

WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS

2015-2016 VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS ALL TEAMS

CANUCKS PLAYER STATS

PREDATORS PLAYER STATS

STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Jannick Hansen Scores Hat Trick, Canucks Lose 5-4 To Pittsburgh

Posted on January 23, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 23, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks (20-18-11) played the final game of their 6-game road trip today against the Pittsburgh Penguins (23-17-7) at Consol Energy Center in a matinee game.

The Canucks were going for their fourth win of the road trip, after losing in Washington in regulation and the Rangers in overtime; defeating Carolina in overtime, the Islanders in a shoot out; and Boston in regulation.

The Penguins were trying to extend their current streak, 4-0-2 at home, to seven games with a fifth win.

The Canucks looked in complete control of their own destiny for forty-seven minutes and sixteen seconds (47:16), until Vancouver seemed completely disheveled by Linden Vey scoring on his own net, and in 5:44 of game time, the Canucks went from having a two goal, 3-1 lead, to falling behind by a goal, 4-3, to the Penguins.

“There were a lot of opportunities, so we only have ourselves to blame that we didn’t get the 2 points.”-Jannick Hansen after 5-4 loss

Source: Canucks Twitter

The two teams would exchange goals after Pittsburgh got their first lead of the game, with the Penguins winning 5 to 4.

With the win, the Penguins extended their current streak at home to 5-0-2. The Canucks would finish their road trip with a record of 3-2-1.

PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 23: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins moves the puck between the defense of Ryan Miller #30 and Emerson Etem #26 of the Vancouver Canucks at Consol Energy Center on January 23, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)

Evgeni Malkin had a hat trick, for 23 goals on the season, for the Penguins; Sidney Crosby scored his 16th goal of the season; Bryan Rust scored his 2nd of the season; Kris Letang had two assists.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 28 of 32 shots for a .875Sv%.

“After I scored my goal, everything seemed just like a blur after that. It was really disappointing.”-BoHorvat after the game, trying to understand what happened

Source: Canucks Twitter

PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 23: Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks moves the puck up ice in front of Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on January 23, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ryan Miller stopped 25 of 29 shots for a .862 Sv%.

Miller heads home with a record of 1-2-1 on the road trip, with a 2.75 GAA and a .941 Sv%. In his last 14 games, Miller is 5-6-3, with a 2.98 and a .916 Sv%.

Jannick Hansen scored the opening goal of the game at twenty seven seconds, as the Canucks wasted little time taking advantage of their first shot of the game. Hansen, his 13th of the season, assisted by Alex Edler (14).

That goal made it the second straight game Vancouver scored the opening goal on their first shot of the game.

It was also the 5th straight game (and 5th straight road game), that the Canucks scored the opening goal of a game after going 8 consecutive games with their opponents scoring the first goal of the game.

Halfway through the period, Canucks not only had the lead but were 4 for 6 on face-offs; out hitting the Penguins 8 to 2; Horvat, 3 for 4 on face-offs; Vey, 2 for 2. Edler and Zalewski 2 hits each.

Penguin defense had problems with Canuck speed and size as McCann and Hansen had great attempts to add to the Vancouver lead.

Pittsburgh would get the first power play of the game at 15:51 when Daniel Sedin would get caught for hooking on Kevin Porter.

It would be the Canucks who would score though, a shorthanded goal, with Derek Dorsett and Jannick Hansen teaming up on a 2 on 1, with Hansen scoring his second goal of the period after Dorsett’s shot hit the crossbar and Hansen popped in the loose puck. Hansen, his 14th of the season, on a backhand shot, assisted by Derek Dorsett (6) and Chris Tanev (9) at 16:35.

After one period:

Canucks leading 2-0
Canucks were 7 for 13 on faceoffs; Vey, 3 for 5; Horvat, 4 for 6.
Canucks out hit Penguins 12 to 10.
Vancouver out shot Pittsburgh 10 to 9
Canucks had 4 takeaways; 1 giveaway; 5 blocked shots.
Jannick Hansen had 3 shots; Edler had 3 hits
Canucks shorthanded goal was the 3rd of the season.

In the second period, Vancouver continued to utilize their speed and play making skills to get scoring opportunities, but the momentum they were developing would soon come to an end.

Canucks would get penalized for the second time in the game for tripping as Mike Zalewski would go off at 2:56.

Pittsburgh would get a 1:08 two man advantage when Alex Burrows would get a penalty for hooking at 3:48. Pittsburgh would score with the 5 on 3, as Evgeni Malkin would get his 21rst of the season,on a slap shot, assisted by Kris Letang (25) and Sidney Crosby (25) at 3:54.

Vancouver would continue to get into penalty trouble in the period, as Matt Bartkowski would go off at 6:43 for cross checking, giving the Penguins their third straight power play of the period.

Daniel Sedin would have a great opportunity to put Vancouver up by two again but Marc-Andre Fleury would make a great save on his shot, to keep it a one goal game.

As the period neared an end, Pittsburgh increased its shot lead over Vancouver, 8 to 4, as Miller was getting more action in his end.

Jannick Hansen broke in on Fleury with a chance for a hat trick goal in the final minute of the period but he would be denied his third goal to put Vancouver up by two goals.

After two periods:

Canucks leading 2-1,
Canucks out shooting Penguins 19-18.
Vancouver 16 for 29 of faceoffs (10 for 17 in defensive zone). Vey, 5 for 9; Horvat, 8 for 13; McCann, 2 for 4.
Pittsburgh out hitting Canucks 29 to 22.
Vancouver with 2 giveaways; 4 takeaways; 12 blocked shots.
Jannick Hansen 4 shots; 6 other Canucks with 2 shots each.
Alex Edler, 6 hits; 6 other Canucks with 2 hits each.

The Penguins came out motivated to even up the game, taking their game to the Canucks right off the third period face-off.

Penguins pressure would lead to a Pittsburgh power play as Luca Sbisa would get two minutes for tripping at 1:30.

Jannick Hansen and Bo Horvat would go in on Fleury while shorthanded, for a great opportunity to score, as Hansen would set up Horvat but Fleury would stop Horvat cold.

Miller would stop Patric Hornqvist on a great scoring attempt on a set up by Sidney Crosby, after not producing on their man advantage, to once again, keep it a one goal game.

Bo Horvat, over the glove of Marc-Andre Fleury, would make it 3-1 Vancouver at the six minute mark, with his 9th goal of the season, assisted by Ben Hutton (11) and Luca Sbisa (4).

The Penguins would respond with a goal of their own, as Linden Vey would score on his own net, putting Pittsburgh within a goal at 3-2 Canucks.

Evgeni Malkin got credit for the goal, his 22nd of the season, unassisted, at 7:16

Evgeni Malkin would get his hat trick goal, on a sloppy line change by Vancouver, as he would pick up a loose puck that no Canuck would touch, to even up the game at 3-3, as Vancouver continued their third period implosion.

Malkin, his 23rd of the season, at 10:22, assisted by Phil Kessel (16) and Trevor Daley (9).

The Penguins would make their comeback complete and finally get their first lead of the game, 4-3, at the thirteen minute mark, from Bryan Rust, his 2nd goal of the season, who would sweep the puck in on net, assisted by Tom Kuhnhackl (1).

The Canucks seemed completely disheveled by Linden Vey scoring on his own net, and in less than five minutes of game time, went from a two goal lead, to falling behind by a goal.

The Canucks would receive their first power play in two games, at 16:24, when Brian Dumoulin would go off for tripping.

With twenty seconds left in the power play, the Canucks would pull Ryan Miller for a two man advantage but the extra man would not benefit Vancouver, but it would Pittsburgh.

Sidney Crosby would score an empty netter to make it 5-3 Penguins, putting an exclamation on their victory………or would it. Crosby, his 16th, at 18:37 , assisted by Carl Hagelin (11) and Kris Letang (26).

Jannick Hansen, would get his hat trick goal before the final buzzer, at 19:43 , assisted by Mike Zalewski (1) and Ben Hutton (12) but time would run out insuring a Penguins victory, as Pittsburgh defeated Vancouver 5-4.