NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 17: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks gets injured during the game against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on January 17, 2016 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
Monday, 01.18.2016 / 4:12 PM
By Mike G. Morreale
NEWARK, N.J. — Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin might not return to the lineup until after the All-Star break because of an upper-body injury sustained Sunday against the New York Islanders.
Sedin did not practice with the team on Monday at AmeriHealth Pavilion in Newark, N.J.
“We’ll probably send him back [to Vancouver] so he won’t have any more games the rest of the road trip,” Canucks coach Willie Desjardins said. “Hopefully he’ll be ready after the All-Star break. I think it’s probably a 10-day injury or so.”
The Canucks play the fourth of a six-game road trip at the New York Rangers on Tuesday. They close out the trip at the Boston Bruins on Thursday and at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, then return home to play the Nashville Predators on Jan. 26. The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game is Jan. 31 in Nashville.
Sedin sustained the injury late in the first period of a 2-1 shootout win and did not return. Sedin was hit into the side boards by Islanders forward Mikhail Grabovski, who received a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.
Daniel Sedin knows his twin brother won’t like having to sit at a time when the Canucks are coming off two straight victories.
“He’s not too happy; he wants to play every game and he’s upset,” Daniel said. “But he has to face the facts that if he’s not 100 percent, he needs to rest. It’ll be tough playing a few games without him.”
Henrik, who has nine goals and 37 points in 44 games this season, missed two games with a lower-body injury in December.
In his absence, Desjardins will likely have Jared McCann center Daniel Sedin and Radim Vrbata on the top line.
“[McCann] is a lot of faster than Henrik,” Daniel Sedin said with a grin. “They are different players. Jared plays with speed and tries to beat guys 1-on-1. We played together before Christmas and did a good job. We’re hoping for the best against a good team [Tuesday night].”
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 11, 2016
Daniel Sedin Slays The Panthers With OT Goal,
Gets His 346 Goal As A Canuck
The Canucks had a mission Monday night, as self serving as it was, to end the Panthers’ 12-game winning streak in game two of Florida’s Western Canada road swing.
The Panthers’ winning streak, the longest since the Boston Bruins went 12-0-0 from March 2 to March 22, 2014, was put at risk as Florida sought their 13th consecutive win.
The Vancouver Canucks (17-16-10) played the last game of their 7-game home stand against the Florida Panthers (26-12-5) Monday night at Rogers Place.
For the second time this season, Vancouver would be spoilers to teams coming into Rogers Place on long consecutive winning streaks. First it was the Montreal Canadians. And now the the Florida Panthers.
Vancouver got their 6th win in their last 10 games, improving their record to 6-2-2, as they defeated Florida 3-2 in overtime.
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 11: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates after Daniel Sedin scores in overtime on Roberto Luongo #1 of the Florida Panthers as Erik Gudbranson #44 of the Panthers watches during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 11, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Canucks battled hard, with Jacob Markstrom, the Sedins and the youngsters, leading the way.
Daniel Sedin with two goals; Jake Virtanen, with his first goal since returning to the lineup on Saturday night against Tampa Bay; Henrik Sedin with two assists; and Jacob Markstrom, stopping 26 of 28 shots with a .929 Sv%.
Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi had their point streaks continue, with an assist each on Jake Virtanen’s goal. Horvat now has 4 goals and 2 assists in his last 4 games; Baertschi, 2 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 games.
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 11: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save beside Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Florida Panthers and Alex Biega #55 of the Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 11, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Markstrom is now 5-2-1 with a 2.19 GAA and .927 Sv%, in eight consecutive starts, since Ryan Miller injured his groin Dec. 20 at the Florida Panthers.
Emerson Etem, in his first game as a Vancouver Canuck, had an impressive debut, and drew two penalties, including the one that led to the winning power play goal in overtime.
Vancouver had a shaky start to the game, and a shaky end to the opening period.
Florida wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard, as the Canucks surrendered the opening goal of the hockey game, the 7th opening goal on their seven game home stand by the opposition.
Jussi Jokinen, his 8th of the season, on a wrist shot, assisted by Reilly Smith (11) at 1:20, made it 1-0 Florida.
The Canucks once again were trailing early in a hockey game, where their opponent was dominating them in the play, catching them slow off the mark.
At 4:25, the Panthers’ Steven Kampfer received a penalty for holding Jake Virtanen giving the Canucks a man advantage opportunity to even the score at one apiece. Vancouver’s power play was unable to get a goal against the stingy penalty killing of the Panthers.
The bright spot for the Canucks was the play of the young players led by Bo Horvat, as he was robbed on at least two occasions by Roberto Luongo.
Roberto Luongo continued to stymie Vancouver as he came up on big on Emmerson Etem, Alex Burrows and Daniel Sedin as well, keeping the Canucks scoreless.
A tripping call on Brian Campbell for upending Emerson Etem, put Vancouver back on the power play for the second time in the period at 15:30. Once again, the Canucks came up empty, going 0 for 2 with the man advantage.
Just when you could see the Canucks game getting better and the momentum change, the Panthers scored a last minute goal, that took the wind out of the Canuck sails, going into the intermission.
Jonathan Huberdeau, his 7th goal, on a wrist shot, assisted by Aleksander Barkow (16) and Jaromir Jagr (17) at 19:27, to make it 2-0 Florida after the first frame.
Vancouver out shot the Panthers, 13 to 7; were 8 for 19 on face-offs; had 5 giveaways; were 0 for 2 on the power play; and 1 for 1 on the penalty kill.
Linden Vey was the best Canuck face-off man at 4 for 6; Daniel Sedin led Vancouver in shots with 3; Jake Virtanen, Bo Horvat and Jared McCann, had 2 shots each, in the first period.
In the middle frame, the Canucks came out skating with Florida, who had played the night before in Edmonton. And the Canucks pressure and persistence would pay off.
Daniel Sedin, with his 18th goal, would cut the Panthers lead in half, as his backhand shot would get by Roberto Luongo at 5:41, assisted by Henrik Sedin (26) and Radim Vrbata (9).
Nearing the halfway point of the period, Vancouver was out shooting the visitors 6-3 and 19-10 in the game.
Jared McCann would come close to getting the Canucks even as he had Luongo beaten but the goal post got in the way.
The middle frame ended 2-1 for the Panthers.
Vancouver and Florida had 8 shots each; Canucks were 10 for 22 on face-offs; had 4 giveaways; Florida had 3 giveaways.
Linden Vey was the best Canuck face-off man after two, at 5 for 9; Daniel Sedin and Jared McCann led Vancouver in shots with 4 each; Jake Virtanen, Bo Horvat and Emerson Etem, had 2 shots each, after two periods of play.
The Panthers went into the final period with a great opportunity to extend their consecutive winning streak to 13 games, with the 2-1 lead.
Just a minute into the 3rd period, the Canucks would get their 3rd power play opportunity as Bo Horvat drew a holding call for holding from Willie Mitchell at 1:05. Once again, Florida would successfully kill the penalty, handing the Canucks their third consecutive unsuccessful man advantage without a goal in the game.
Shots were a premium as both teams were struggling in that department which suited the Panthers more than the Canucks.
With 12:22 left in the final period, shots were 4-3 Florida, with the Panthers defensive game continually frustrating the Canucks puck possession.
As the period progressed, it seemed Florida raised their game up a notch as they could sense history in the making, while the Canucks looked like the team that played the night before.
With seven minutes left, and the Canucks seemingly unable to generate any offense due to the Panthers dominating play up and down the ice, it seemed more than likely, the Canucks would suffer a loss in the final game of their home stand.
But Vancouver would not go gently into the night, and after a great stop by Jacob Markstrom on a 3 on 1 by Florida, the Canucks would be inspired and finally put another goal by Roberto Luongo, off a face-off in the Florida end, to knot the game at 2-2.
Jake Virtanen, with his 2nd goal of the season, assisted by Bo Horvat (10) and Sven Baertschi (8), at 17:22.
Markstrom would have to continue to 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 tied at 2-2.
The Canucks battled back and would at least get a point but the question on everybody’s minds: would Florida extend their consecutive winning streak?
Vancouver would go to the power play as Emerson Etem would draw another penalty as Jaromir Jagr would get penalized for hooking 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.
Daniel Sedin, his 19th of the season, second of the game, on a wrist shot, assisted by Alex Edler (12) and Henrik Sedin (27) at 2:21.
The goal was Daniel Sedin’s 14th overtime winning goal which is a franchise best for the Canucks.
Daniel Sedin is now tied with Markus Naslund for the all-time lead in goals scored for Vancouver with 346.
As the Canucks were celebrating the win, the two benches would get into a scuffle, after words were exchanged.
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 11: Linesman Kiel Murchison separates Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks and Willie Mitchell #33 of the Florida Panthers during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 11, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
GAME REVIEW
CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS
WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS
STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Vancouver, B.C. – The National Hockey League announced today that Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin has been named as one of six forwards to represent Team Pacific Division in the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game and Weekend, to be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Jan. 31 at Bridgestone Arena (2 p.m., PST). The All-Stars will participate in the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Bridgestone Arena (4 p.m., PST).
Sedin, 35, will be making his third NHL All-Star Game appearance. He has skated in 40 games for Vancouver and leads the team in in points (38, which also ranks t-9th in the NHL), goals (17, which ranks t-11th in the NHL), power play goals (5), power play points (13), and game-winning goals (4). He also ranks second on the club in assists (21) and shots on goal (138). Earlier this season, the Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, native registered his 900th career NHL point and he is now only three goals from surpassing Markus Naslund (346) for first all-time in franchise goals.
Below is the additional All-Stars selected for Team Pacific Division along with Daniel Sedin:
F Johnny Gaudreau (CGY)
F Taylor Hall (EDM)
F Joe Pavelski (SJS)
F Corey Perry (ANA)
F John Scott (ARI)*
D Brent Burns (SJS)
D Drew Doughty (LAK)
D Mark Giordano (CGY)
G John Gibson (ANA)
G Jonathan Quick (LAK)
*Fan-elected captain
By Andrew Phillip Chernoff November 22, 2015 Just Saying….
The Vancouver Canucks returned from a disappointing seven game road trip, arguably their toughest road trip of the entire 2015-16 season.
Many people had their opinions as to what went wrong and what needed to be done to salvage the rest of the season, where competition is stiff, and very few points can be given up in a short period of time and still make a successful season. What is a successful season? Well, for the Canucks, it would be making the playoffs.
The Canucks have not had so few wins after 20 games since the 1997-98 season. The Canucks started 4-13-3 that season under former head coach Mike Keenan and finished the year with just 65 points. Brad Ziemer,Vancouver Sun, Nov 20, 2015
Media covering the Canucks, as well as Jim Benning, Ryan Miller, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, wasted little time in making their opinions known November 19-21.
Some key things for the Canucks remainder of the season according to those that voiced their thoughts include:
Play inspired, not intimidated. A visit from the defending Cup champs usually brings out the best in a team wanting to use the game as a measuring stick. The Canucks might not be feeling too confident lately but they still should be fired up and wanting to show they can be competitive against the league’s best. Canucks website, Nov 21, 2015.
Prust brings some life. Brandon Prust may not be the guy you’re counting on for goals and points, but when it comes to energy he brings it every night. The Canucks have sorely missed the veteran winger and his expected return tonight should galvanize a team that desperately needs something positive right now. Canucks website, Nov 21, 2015.
“You need to manage the puck properly,” Benning said. “I think in some instances we haven’t been focused on managing the puck, getting it out at our blue line and making sure when we get to their blue-line, not losing the puck and getting it in and chasing after it. BRAD ZIEMER, Vancouver Sun
Need to get the big goal when they need it. Offensively, the Canucks can’t seem to get a big goal when they need it most. Radim Vrbata, who had a team-high 31 goals last season, has just three despite being tied for seventh in the NHL with 74 shots on net.BRAD ZIEMER, Vancouver Sun
Need to close—–finish. Whatever spin you choose to summarize a sobering 1-4-2 road trip — including losing two one-goal games in regulation and two more in overtime to sink to 0-for-6 in the new 3-on-3 format — one thing is clear after 20 games. The Vancouver Canucks are good enough to keep games close, they just can’t close. Ben Kuzma, The Province
Ryan Miller needs to maintain focus and reduce distractions. He was rightly feted in his long anticipated return to Buffalo and understandably upset following an overtime loss in New Jersey.Willie Desjardins loves that his starter rarely gives up rebounds, has a high level of compete and studies the game like a professor. That’s where the smarts kick in and that’s where Miller can be better. . Ben Kuzma, The Province
Horvat has to step up against better opposition. Even before training camp, Bo Horvat spoke of and was well aware of the sophomore jinx. He knew players who went through it, knew what to expect.Really? He’s only 20. Add power-play and penalty kill responsibilities this season and it shouldn’t be that surprising that the centre has two goals through 20 games after 13 as a rookie.Is he pressing and missing great scoring chances? Absolutely. Has he been anxious to get in transition and not been as diligent in his own zone or the faceoff circle? Probably. And with Brandon Sutter injured, Horvat has to step up against better opposition and it’s a long way from being a fourth line rookie centre with limited expectations and even-strength minutes.He’s gone from 12:15 of average ice time and a 51.4 per cent faceoff efficiency to 16:20 and 49.2 per cent in the circle and a minus-9 rating. That’s a lot to shoulder. . Ben Kuzma, The Province
A team is only as good as its goalie. Vancouver shot out of the gates on the back of Miller, who started the team’s first 10 games until Richard Bachman spelled him off on Oct. 30. Miller had a 2.16 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage in those 10 games. Not surprisingly, the Canucks went 4-2-4 and were tied with the Los Angeles Kings for first in the Pacific Division.Since then, however, Miller — unsurprisingly — has come back to earth. He has been, well, less than stellar in six starts so far in November, with a 3.04 GAA and an .892 SP, and the Canucks have gone just 1-4-1 in those six starts. Perhaps the most telling statistic is that he has allowed three goals or more in 10 of his 16 starts.Ronnie Shuker, The Hockey News
Eliminate the silver-platter scoring chances they are presenting (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun). Keep it simple. Stick to basics. No need to be flashy. Have the shot, shoot. Go to the net. Don’t have the shot, look for somebody. Put the puck on net, good things can happen.
Get better on special teams play. Need to finish around the net on the power play. Need to be more disciplined on the penalty kill.
Get points, get points, and get points!!! The Canucks are home, but their schedule isn’t getting easier. After spending two weeks on the road, Vancouver plays the Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils back-to-back, Saturday and Sunday at Rogers Arena, then travel again for games in Minnesota, Dallas, Anaheim and Los Angeles. November could decide their season.Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun
Leave no points on the table.No team has left more points on the table than the Vancouver Canucks have this season. “It could be a big part of defining our season,” Vancouver GM Jim Benning told The Province. “Because last year, in games that went to overtime and the shootout we were (12-5). That’s the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs.” Jason Brough
You create your own breaks. Positives are not results. Raise the intensity level. Attention level to detail has to go up. Mistakes need to go down. Gotta have confidence and bring it. “We keep saying we’re close,” said Miller, who made 30 saves. “We’ve got to make the turn here. It’s not ideal mentally for this group to be really close [in] games. We’ve got to park it. We’ve got to find a way to keep coming with energy and believe it’s going to turn. The only thing you can do in this situation is work hard and believe that hard work will translate. ” Daniel Sedin found some positives with the road trip but admitted that the Canucks need results. “I think we’ve got to turn it around now,” he said. “We need some wins. But at the same time, I think we need to look at the big picture. We’re playing better than we were before. That’s a good sign. But right now we need a win.” Henrik Sedin concurred. “I don’t think you can question the way we battled, but our intensity has to go up, and our attention to detail needs to be there,” he said. “It’s a game of mistakes. We’re still making a few too many to win the close games.” Patrick Williams NHL.com
Play with urgency in the moment. You can’t do anything about what has past. The future is yours to write. So excel in the moment. Andrew Chernoff, andrewchernoff.wordpress.com
The game on Saturday night against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks provided Vancouver with a perfect opportunity to pull a true Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and show a side of themselves that was reminiscent of the start of the season when they were firing on all cylinders and looking like they were going to be a playoff contender in the Western Conference. Not a pretender.
The leaders—–the Sedin brothers, Ryan Miller, Jannick Hansen, Alex Edler, Chris Tanev, Brandon Prust, Alex Burrows, Chris Higgins, to speak of a few; the youth—–Bo Horvat, Jared McCann, Jake Virtanen—–reminded the coaches, the general manager, the president of the Canucks, and all Canuck fans…..how this team could actually play if inspired, focused, disciplined and able to fight off distractions and stay with the game plan.
The result was there last night against the Blackhawks, a 6-3 victory that ended a four game losing streak, but one game does not make a season or make up for the points left on the table.
Great individual efforts such as exhibited by Daniel and Henrik Sedin, are to be praised in the moment and used for inspiration, for future upcoming games.
The team had the confidence and brought it. They raised their intensity level, created their own breaks, reduced their mistakes and were rewarded for it all.
There are 61 games left, including tonight against the New Jersey Devils and the upcoming four game road trip.
The Canucks have not had so few wins after 20 games since the 1997-98 season. The Canucks started 4-13-3 that season under former head coach Mike Keenan and finished the year with just 65 points.
Vancouver, more now then ever, have to turn up their game as they did against Chicago, and sustain it for the rest of the season, if they are going to seriously compete against the leading Western Conference teams and achieve their goal of making the playoffs next Spring.
Standings seldom alter to a great degree after U.S. Thanksgiving. Catching teams after that date is one thing, passing them is another. And with Brandon Sutter, Luca Sbisa and Radim Vrbata injured to varying degrees, the climb will be more arduous if areas of considerable concern aren’t immediately addressed. Ben Kuzma, The Province, Nov 20, 2015
Canucks have to play with urgency in the moment. You can’t do anything about what has past. The future is there to write. So excel in the moment….Just Saying….
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 11, 2016
Andrew Phillip Chernoff 