Chicago Makes Playoffs, Handing Vancouver Their 8th Consecutive Loss With 3-2 Victory

Posted on March 27, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff MARCH 27, 2016

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.

Vancouver Attempts To End 7-Game Losing Streak At Home Against Chicago Tonight

Posted on March 27, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff MARCH 27, 2016

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.

Vancouver Battles To The End But Fall To Chicago 4-0

Posted on December 13, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 13, 2015

KANE EXTENDS POINTS STREAK TO 26 GAMES

CANUCKS SHUTOUT FOR 3RD TIME IN 7-GAMES

Vancouver (11-12-8) gave a valiant effort, but has been the case this season, it was not enough for the Canucks to defeat Chicago (17-10-4) for the second time this season.

Chicago opened up the scoring early in the last half of the opening period, with a power play goal by Duncan Keith (5), on wrist shot, at 11:51, assisted by Artemi Panarin (20), Patrick Kane (27).

The first period ended 1-0 Chicago.

Except for the Sedin line, there was little time in the offensive zone for the other Canuck forwards, adding to the concern about secondary scoring and shots.

Vancouver was 9 for 19 in the face-off circle. Henrik Sedin was 1 for 3; Bo Horvat, 3 for 6; Adam Cracknell, 2 for 4; Jared McCann, 2 for 4; Derek Dorsett, 1 for 1; Radim Vrbata, 0 for 1. Canucks were 0 for 1 on the penalty kill.

Shots were 8-8. Canucks out hit Chicago, 15-4. Jannick Hansen and Matt Bartkowski had 3 hits each; Bo Horvat, 2 hits. Radim Vrbata had 2 shots for Vancouver.

Canuck defensemen had all seven blocked shots in the opening period for Vancouver led by Chris Tanev with 3; Yannick Weber with 2; Ben Hutton and Alex Biega had one each.

The second period was scoreless with both teams have scoring chances but both Miller and Crawford were in their zone.

Chicago’s strength on face-offs made life difficult for the Canucks but Ryan Miller was outstanding between the pipes.

Vancouver, who dominated in shots for most of the period, out shot Chicago 14-11, as Chicago pressed hard in the last eight minutes of the period, with shots on Miller, to increase their lead. Miller stopped them all.

Vancouver out hit the Blackhawks, 10-5. Vancouver was 0 for 2 on the power play and 1 for 1 on the penalty kill.

In the face-off circle, Chicago continued to dominate as Vancouver was 8 for 23 in the middle period. Bo Horvat was the best Canuck in the face-off circle after two periods at 6 for 10.

Canucks defensemen had 12 hits after two periods led by Matt Bartkowski with 4. Weber and Edler had 3 each. Bo Horvat led the forwards with 4 hits.

Radim Vrbata and Daniel Sedin were the only Canucks with more than two shots after two, as they each had 4 shots.

The Canucks entered the final period not having won a game after trailing after two periods this season (0-7-3).

Chicago made it 2-0 at 11:51, after both teams were battling for the next goal. Dennis Rasmussen (2) on a tip-in, assisted by Bryan Bickell (1) and Andrew Shaw (7).

A Canuck goal soon after Chicago made it 2-0 was waved off for a glove pass from Daniel Sedin to Henrik Sedin.

With just over three minutes left in the game, the Canucks pulled Miller for a sixth attacker in an attempt to pull within a goal, but with less than a minute left, Chicago scored when Andrew Shaw put the puck into an empty net with 31 second left, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson (9).

To add insult to injury, the Blackhawks made it 4-0, with 10 seconds left in the game, when Brandon Mashinter (1) scored, assisted by Trevor Daley )6) and Dennis Rasmussen (1).

And Vancouver continues not having won a game after trailing after two periods this season (0-8-3).

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

Shots were even in the game at 30 apiece.
Daniel Sedin had 6 shots, while Radim Vrbata had 5 shots.
Canucks were 0 for 3 on the power play; and 1 for 2 on the penalty kill.
Vancouver out hit Chicago, 35-16. Canuck defensemen had 18 hits led by Matt Bartkowski with 6. Yannick Weber, Jannick Hansen and Bo Horvat had 4 hits each. Alex Burrows and Alex Edler had 3 hits each.
Canucks defensemen had 12 block shots, led by Chris Tanev with 3. Ben Hutton, Alex Edler and Matt Bartkowski had 2 block shots each.
Ryan Miller stopped 26 of 29 shots he faced for a SV% of .897. His record is now 9-10-6.
As for the plus/minus, thirteen players finished the game in the minus category.
Vancouver was 21 for 59 on face-offs and continue to be the NHL worst on face-offs.

NEXT GAME UP: AT MINNESOTA WILD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2015

GAME REVIEW

CANUCKS AT A GLANCE

CANUCKS PLAYER STATS

Statistics courtesy of the NHL and Vancouver Canucks, with thanks.

Vancouver Visits Chicago To Start Extended Road Trip

Posted on December 13, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 13, 2015 3:45 PM PST

MAKE OR BREAK ROAD TRIP

“It’s like playoff hockey for us, and we need to recognize that. Our urgency level has to be higher. I think the guys know that, so I would expect us to be battling. Saying that, I do believe in the character of this group, and I don’t believe there are many nights that they haven’t given everything they have.” Willie Desjardins, prior to the Canucks taking on Minnesota in the first game of their last road trip.

Vancouver (11-11-8) plays the first of four games in 6 nights when they face-off against Chicago (16-10-4) this evening.

The 6-game road trip will conclude 12 days after Vancouver’s last home game, on Tuesday, December 22 against Tampa Bay. In between they play, Minnesota on December 15; Philadelphia on December 17; Detroit on December 18; Florida on December 20.

Vancouver is on a winning streak of two straight wins. The last time the Canucks won two straight games was when Vancouver defeated Arizona and Philadelphia, October 30 and November 2, respectively.

Vancouver will play its first game since losing defenseman Dan Hamhuis (facial fracture) for an estimated two months, after he was struck in the face by the puck during the Canucks’ 2-1 win against the New York Rangers on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena.

Yannick Weber will likely replace Hamhuis.

Derek Dorsett missed practice Saturday and has gone back to Saskatchewan for personal reasons. Ronalds Kenins is expected to be in Dorsett’s place in the line-up against Chicago.

Tonight marks the second of three meetings this season between the Canucks and Blackhawks. The Blackhawks visit Rogers Arena again on Mar. 27th.

The Sedin twins combined for nine points against Chicago in their first meeting of the season at Rogers Place on November 21—Daniel notched a hat trick, while Henrik posted a career-high five points, including four assists.

Goaltender Ryan Miller will get the start against Chicago tonight. Miller is 4-4-1 since November 12, with a 2.73 GAA, and .917 Sv%. He is 1-3-1 on the road during that stretch with a 3.10 GAA and .906 Sv%.

Ryan Miller, has seen action in 24 of 30 possible games this season. His record is 9-9-6, with a .914 save percentage, his highest in three seasons.

In his last two starts, Miller is 2-0-0, allowing three goals on 94 shots, with a GAA of 1.51 and a .955 save percentage, to help Vancouver break out of their 5- game losing slump. .

Corey Crawford will likely start in net, after making 25 saves against Winnipeg on Friday night, for his third shutout.

Crawford has allowed two goals on 93 shots in his past three starts, going 3-0-0 with a GAA of 0.67 and a .978 save percentage.

The Blackhawks are in 4rth place in the Central division, two points behind St. Louis in 2nd place and 10 points behind Dallas in 1rst place.

Chicago has 11 wins in 15 home games (44-GF & 25-GA), and are 4-1-0 in the last 5 games.

Patrick Kane will be looking to extend his points streak to 26 consecutive games. He has 25 points in 29 games against Vancouver.

Chicago Point Streaks:
PATRICK KANE (16-23-39 / 25 Games)

Chicago Goal Streaks:
PATRICK KANE (3 / 3 Games)

The Canucks are tied for 2nd place in the Pacific division. Vancouver is trying to keep pace with 1rst place Los Angeles in the division, where teams Nos. 2-7 are separated by just three points.

Vancouver has 6 wins in 16 road games (41-GF & 45-GA), and are 2-4-4 in the last 10 road games.

Vancouver Point Streaks:
ALEXANDER EDLER (1-2-3 / 2 Games)
HENRIK SEDIN (1-2-3 / 2 Games)
DANIEL SEDIN (1-3-4 / 2 Games)

Vancouver Assist Streaks:
DANIEL SEDIN (3 / 2 Games)
ALEXANDER EDLER (2 / 2 Games)

The Hawks power play, which scored two goals Friday, ranked fifth in the league entering Sunday at 22.2 percent. The Canucks’ penalty kill ranked 16th at 80.4 percent.

The Canucks power play, which scored a goal Wednesday night against the Rangers, ranked 14th in the NHL entering Sunday at 18.9 percent. The Blackhawks’ penalty kill ranked 15th at 81.0 percent. Vancouver leads the NHL in power play opportunities with 111.

Tonight marks Radim Vrbata’s 900th career NHL game. He becomes the 18th player born in the Czech Republic to appear in 900 or more games in his career.

Henrik and Daniel Sedin have played in 585 wins together. According to ESB, since 1990.91 the only pairs of teammates to play in more wins together are Niklas Lidstrom and Kris Draper (664); and Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom (599).

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

Daniel Sedin has 15 points (6-9-15) in the last 10 games. He recently had a seven game point streak from Nov. 14-27; it was the longest point streak of any Canucks player this season and his longest since a seven game streak from Oct. 22 – Nov. 5/13. He currently leads the team in points (33), goals (13), ppg (5) and ppp (12), gwg (3), and t-first in assists (20). He is also 5th in NHL scoring.
Henrik Sedin has 14 points (4-10-14) in the last 10 games. He recently had a six game point streak from Nov. 16-27. He also had a five game point streak earlier this season from Oct. 29 to Nov. 7. Last season, the Captain recorded points in three or more consecutive games on 10 different occasions. Henrik ranks t-first on the team in assists (20), second in points (29), and t-second in goals (9), ppg (4), and ppp (12). He is also 10th in NHL scoring.
Alex Edler leads the team in time on ice per game (24:26) and has led the team in that category in 26 of 29 games he’s played, including 16 games where he’s led all skaters in TOI. He currently ranks 18th in the NHL in TOI/GP
Forward Ronalds Kenins and defenseman Andrey Pedan were recalled Saturday night from the Utica Comets.
Kenins, 24, has played in two games with the Canucks this year and appeared in eight games for the Comets this season, registering an assist (0-1-1) and eight penalty minutes.
Pedan, 22, has appeared in 19 games with Utica this season, where he currently sits tied for second among Comets defensemen in scoring with nine points (2-7-9). He also played one game with the Canucks this year as a forward.
NHL holiday trade freeze is December 19th-27th.
Alex Burrows, Jannik Hansen, Chris Higgins, Alex Edler, Ryan Miller, Dan Hamhuis and Brandon Sutter all have no-trade clauses.
As of December 23rd, the Canucks will have spent 33 of 48 days away from Vancouver.
According to Mark Abell, Vancouver Canucks have a rough offensive match-up but a good defensive match-up, this coming week, against Philadelphia, Florida, Minnesota and Detroit, all who are in the lower half of the league in scoring.
Vancouver signed defenseman Guillaume Brisebois to a three-year entry level contract, it was announced December 10. Brisebois was selected by Vancouver in the third round, 66th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Brisebois, 18, has appeared in 28 games for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the QMJHL where he currently leads all defensemen on the team in scoring with 12 points (4-8-12).
The Canucks though will be without Dan Hamhuis who is expected to be out at least two months after surgery Friday to repair a facial fracture, coach Willie Desjardins told the Canucks website on Friday.
Vancouver continues to be without young center Brandon Sutter who has been sorely missed since November 10, 2015 and recently had sports hernia surgery on December 2 and is not expected in the line-up again until the latter part of January at the earliest.
Vancouver is also without Luca Sbisa (hand injury) and Jake Virtanen (conditioning assignment with Utica Comets).
Chris Tanev leads the team and ranks 6th in the League in blocked shots with 74. His defence partner Alex Edler ranks t-19th in the NHL with 59 blocked shots.
Alex Edler, with his power play goal on December 9, surpassed Rick Lanz for sole possession of second place for most PPG by a Canucks defenseman, with 38.
Rookie forward Jared McCann is t-14th in rookie scoring with 6-goals and 3-assist for 9-points. Among rookies, he ranks t-8th in goals; 9th in shots-on-goal with 50; 10th in shooting percentage at 12%; 12th in power play goals.
Rookie defenseman Ben Hutton is t-14th in rookie scoring with 9-points on 9-assists. Among rookies, he ranks t-4th in assists; t-18th in shots-on-goal with 34; 3rd worst among rookies this season in plus/minus with a -8; t-4rth in power play assists.
Canucks power play in relation to goals and opportunities:
- Of 4 or more opportunities: 15 for 77 in 15 games: 19.4%
- Of 3 or less opportunities: 6 for 34 in 15 games: 17.6%
The road trip this month starts with the Canuck power play 2 for 16 in its last 4 games.
Vancouver’s penalty kill has killed all 11 man advantages in the last 4 games.
VANCOUVER’S 2015.16 RECORD WHEN…

Score 4+ Goals: 7-0-0

Score 3 Goals or Less: 4-11-8

Allow 4+ Goals: 0-6-3

Allow 3 Goals or Less: 11-5-5
On 0 Days Rest: 2-1-2
On 1 Day Rest: 4-6-5
On 2 Days Rest: 4-3-1
On 3+ Days Rest: 0-1-0
Score a PPG: 6-5-6
Give up a PPG: 3-7-6
25+ Shots on Goal: 9-8-7
Less than 25 shots: 2-3-1

SEASON SNAPSHOT

CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS

BLACKHAWKS PLAYER STATS

CANUCKS-BLACKHAWKS AT A GLANCE

Statistics courtesy of NHL, Vancouver Canucks and SportingCharts, with thanks.

Challenges, Adversity Face Canucks On Eve Of 6-Game Road Trip

Posted on December 12, 2015 by CanucksBanter

Just-saying JUST SAYING…. By Andrew Chernoff December 12, 2015

Vancouver faces a 6-game road trip against some stiff competition, over the next two weeks before their next home game on Boxing Day, December 26 against the Edmonton Oilers.

The road trip starts against Chicago tomorrow night, ending on Tuesday, December 22 against Tampa Bay.

In between they play, Minnesota on December 15; Philadelphia on December 17; Detroit on December 18; Florida on December 20.

Vancouver has infused the line up with some youth this season with the likes of rookies Ben Hutton, Jared McCann, Jake Virtanen, Sven Baertschi, and Brandon Sutter but clearly the Canucks have been led by seasoned veterans like the Sedins, Ryan Miller, along with defensemen Alexander Edler, and Dan Hamhuis.

The Canucks though will be without Dan Hamhuis who is expected to be out at least two months after surgery Friday to repair a facial fracture, coach Willie Desjardins told the Canucks website on Friday.

Vancouver continues to be without young center Brandon Sutter who has been sorely missed since November 10, 2015 and recently had sports hernia surgery on December 2 and is not expected in the line-up again until the latter part of January at the earliest.

Sutter has already missed 14 games, and could miss as much as 15 more games before returning; Hamhuis could miss as much as 28 games.

Vancouver is also without Luca Sbisa (hand injury) and Jake Virtanen (conditioning assignment with Utica Comets).

Hamhuis and Sutter are pivotal to the Canucks success and their experience, intensity, skills and leadership are hard to replace especially when Vancouver has to make up for a less than acceptable 30 game record, and take their game up a notch or two, and start now to make a run for a playoff position.

If Vancouver continues to demonstrate their inability to win against some of the top teams in the league on this road trip, the Canucks could be in last place in the Pacific division, when they face Edmonton on Boxing Day.

One of the other consequences of a poor showing on the road trip will be their inability to fully be masters of their own destiny in getting a playoff spot at the end of the season. They may have to pray for divine intervention.

Canucks are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games since the end of the 7-game road trip in November.

First 10 games of the season, Vancouver was 4-2-4. Next 10: 3-5-2.

The Blackhawks began a 4-game homestand with a 2-0 shutout of Winnipeg on Friday, in which Patrick Kane picked up a point for the 25th straight game, matching the longest streak among active players, set by Sidney Crosby in 2010-11.

The Blackhawks have lost 3 of their first 6 games of December to Minnesota, Ottawa and Nashville and are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. Chicago has at least one power-play goal in seven of its past 10 games.

As coach Willie Desjardins pointed out in his post-game interview after the 4-0 loss to Boston, no team is going to feel sorry for Vancouver.

Vancouver has to adopt the adage of ‘One For All, And All For One’. Simply put, each teammate should act for the benefit of his team, and the team should act for the benefit of each teammate.

Other teams have been written off at Christmas in previous seasons: Calgary, Minnesota, Los Angeles, San Jose, Winnipeg, Ottawa.

You have to go in convinced at what you’re doing and you have to go hard. That’s the only way you’ll be successful in this league. So, mentally, we have to accept where we’re at and we have to be prepared to play hard. We know what we’re doing. The guys know the systems,they just have to have confidence that if we play hard we’ll get our opportunities. Willie Desjardins after the Dallas loss.

“It’s like playoff hockey for us, and we need to recognize that. Our urgency level has to be higher. I think the guys know that, so I would expect us to be battling. Saying that, I do believe in the character of this group, and I don’t believe there are many nights that they haven’t given everything they have.” Willie Desjardins, prior to the Canucks taking on Minnesota in the first game of their last road trip.

The above comments by coach Willie Desjardins still ring true for Vancouver as they prepare for each team on their road trip. The players would be wise to heed the words and apply the expectation.

Just saying….

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

The Sedin twins combined for nine points against Chicago in their first meeting of the season at Rogers Place on November 21—Daniel notched a hat trick, while Henrik posted a career-high five points, including four assists.
Both Sedins have been point-per-game players for the Canucks this season
Daniel Sedin has 22 points (9-13-22) in the last 15 games. He recently had a seven game point streak from Nov. 14-27; it was the longest point streak of any Canucks player this season and his longest since a seven game streak from Oct. 22 – Nov. 5/13. He currently leads the team in points (33), goals (13), assists (20), ppg (5) and ppp (13). He is 5th in NHL scoring.
Henrik Sedin has 20 points (6-14-20) in the last 15 games. He recently had a six game point streak from Nov. 16-27. He also had a five game point streak earlier this season from Oct. 29 to Nov. 7. Last season, the Captain recorded points in three or more consecutive games on 10 different occasions. Henrik ranks second on the team in points (29), goals (9), assists (20), ppg (4), and ppp (12). He is 9th in NHL scoring.
Chris Tanev leads the team and ranks 6th in the League in blocked shots with 74. His defence partner Alex Edler ranks 18th in the NHL with 59 blocked shots.
Alex Edler, with his power play goal on December 9 surpassed Rick Lanz for sole possession of second place for most PPG by a Canucks defenseman, with 38.
Rookie forward Jared McCann is t-14th in rookie scoring with 6-goals and 3-assist for 9-points. Among rookies, he ranks 8th in goals; 9th in shots-on-goal with 50; 9th in shooting percentage at 12%.
Rookie defenseman Ben Hutton is t-14th in rookie scoring with 9-points on 9-assists. Among rookies, he ranks t-4th in assists; t-18th in shots-on-goal with 34; 3rd worst among rookies this season in plus/minus with a -8.
Ryan Miller, has seen action in 24 of 30 possible games this season. His record is 9-9-6, with a .914 save percentage, his highest in three seasons.
Miller stopped 64 of 67 shots over his last two starts to help Vancouver break out of their 5- game losing slump.
Vancouver power play goals in a nutshell this season:
- 1 goal in 14games;
- 2 goals scored in 2 games;
- 3 goals scored in 1 game;
- no goals scored in 13 games (streaks of 5 in a row; 4 in a row).
- Streaks of games in a row with 1 or more: 8 games and 5 games.
Power play opportunities in a nutshell this season:
- 1 opportunity: 3 games;
- 2 opportunities: 5 games;
- 3 opportunities: 7 games;
- 4 opportunities: 7 games;
- 5 opportunities: 2 games;
- 6 opportunities: 4 games;
- 5 opportunities: 2 games;
- 6 opportunities: 4 games;
- 7 opportunities: 1 game;
- 8 opportunities: 1 game.
Power play summary:
- Of 4 or more opportunities: 15 for 77 in 15 games: 19.4%
- Of 3 or less opportunities: 6 for 34 in 15 games: 17.6%
They wrapped up a four game home stand on December 9 with two straight wins. Canucks record: 11-11-8. The two wins helped Vancouver claim second place in the Pacific division, as they begin a 6-game road trip on December 13.
The last time the Canucks won two straight games was when Vancouver defeated Arizona and Philadelphia, October 30 and November 2, respectively. The Canucks record: 6-2-4. Vancouver would lose their next game to Pittsburgh, ending their win streak at 2 games.
Vancouver was tied with Los Angeles for first place in the Pacific division, as they embarked for their November 7-game road trip
Canucks road trip in November started with a Vancouver power play that was 1 for 9 in three previous games
The road trip this month starts with the Canuck power play 2 for 16 in its last 4 games.
The Canucks penalty kill had only allowed 1 goal on 7 man advantages in three previous games prior to the November road trip.
Vancouver’s penalty kill has killed all 11 man advantages in the last 4 games.
Vancouver lost 6 of their 7 games on the November road trip.

Andrew Phillip Chernoff

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