Vancouver Makes It Three In A Row With 3-2 Win Over Kings

Posted on April 5, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff April 4, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks (30-36-13) ended their 5-game season series last night against the Los Angeles Kings (46-28-5) at Rogers Place.

Los Angeles came into the game, 2-5-0 in their past seven games, and one point behind the first-place Anaheim Ducks with four games remaining.

Vancouver entered the game fresh off a successful sweep of a set of California games, against San Jose and Anaheim on March 31 and April 1, snapping a 9 game “winless” streak (0-8-1); and sporting a record of 5-9-1 since March 4.

The Canucks made it three consecutive wins for the first time this season, as they made it a sweep of the California teams and notched their 30th win of the season, in a 3-2 victory on home ice.

Jared McCann scored the winner in the last minute of the second period. Emerson Etem and Jannick Hansen had goals. The Sedin brothers chipped in with assists, along with Derek Dorsett and Bo Horvat. Ryan Miller stopped 35 of 37 shots for a .946 Sv%.

Ryan Miller started the win streak last Thursday against the Sharks, continuing it last night, and now is undefeated in his last two starts.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 4: Milan Lucic #17 of the Los Angeles Kings, Christopher Tanev #8 and Dan Hamhuis #2 watch Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks make a save during their NHL game at Rogers Arena April 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC – APRIL 4: Milan Lucic #17 of the Los Angeles Kings, Christopher Tanev #8 and Dan Hamhuis #2 watch Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks make a save during their NHL game at Rogers Arena April 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

GAME REVIEW

Both teams started the game with something to prove: the Canucks, that they could play better at home then their 13 wins at home indicate; and the Kings, prove that their rise to the best team in the division is no fluke and that they can play playoff hockey and dominate, opposite from what their previous game indicate.

Jannik Hansen would get the first penalty of the game at 3:27 for tripping Brayden McNabb and the Canucks would kill the disadvantage with little trouble.

The Canucks inability at winning face-offs in the game, losing 6 of the first 7, and being out shot 7 to 1, would lead to the first goal of the game and put the Kings up 1-0 at six minutes.

Tyler Toffoli, his 30th of the season, assisted by Jeff Carter (37) and Drew Doughty (36).

Vancouver would get a chance at 7:51 to respond to the King’s opening goal, with the man advantage, with their second power play of the game, when Andy Andreoff would serve a tripping minor against against Andrey Pedan.

The Canucks would fail to capitalize, adding to their futility on the power play, making it 1 for 39 in 15 games.

With 8:28 left, Canucks were being out shot 8 to 2; were 1 for 11 on face-offs; and being out hit 5 to 2. Kings with the momentum.

Vancouver would get another chance to improve their power play efficiency when at 14:54 Drew Doughty would visit the sin bin for tripping Jannick Hansen. Need I say more? That’s right, they are now 1 for 40.

Canucks would even up the score though, with 13 seconds left in the period, when Emerson Etem would score his 5th goal of the season, and 2nd goal in three games, assisted by Derek Dorsett (9) and Bo Horvat (23).

Tied at 1-1 after one period.

In the first period:

Vancouver out shot by Los Angeles 13-6 and won 6 of 19 face-offs.
Canucks out hit by Kings 10 to 8.
Vancouver face-off leaders: Markus Granlund-1 for 4; Bo Horvat-3 for 4; Brendan Gaunce-0 for 4; Henrik Sedin-2 for 6; Emerson Etem-0 for 1
Emerson Etem- 2 shots
Matt Bartkowski, Jake Virtanen and Emerson Etem: 2 hits
Vancouver power play 0 for 2; penalty kill, 1-1
Canucks TOI: Dan Hamhuis-8:31; Bo Horvat-6:01; Emerson Etem-6:41; Chris Tanev-6:46; Ben Hutton-7:40; Matt Bartkowski-6:19; Daniel Sedin-5:40; Henrik Sedin-5:37; Alex Biega-4:57
Teams Corsi For:
- Even Strength: Vancouver-6; Kings-19
- All Strengths: Canucks-9; Los Angeles-23
- Top Canucks:
  - All Situations: Alex Burrows -1; Andrey Pedan -1
  - Even Strength: Alex Burrows, Alex Biega and Andrey Pedan: -1 each

Los Angeles would continue where they left off in the first period, but push back by the Canucks would be quicker than it was in the opening period, as Horvat and Dorsett were buzzing around Kings goalie Jonathan Quick.

The Sedins would try a give and go that would lead to the Kings get the puck, leading to the go ahead goal at 9:15. Kyle Clifford, his 3rd goal of the season, deflecting Andy Andreoff (2) pass for the goal.

With 6:30 left, the Canucks were out shooting the Kings, 7-5, still losing face-off battles, 3 for 11; and even in hits at 6 each.

Vancouver would be back on the power play as Vincent Lecavalier would get some rest time for slashing Daniel Sedin at 13:30. They would get a two-man advantage at 14:20, for 1:10, when Brayden McNabb would be punished with an illegal check to head of Alex Burrows.

Jannick Hansen would score on the 5-on-3, his 21rst goal of the season, assisted by Henrik Sedin (43) and Daniel Sedin (33), to make the score 2-2. Canucks second power play goal in 15 games. It was Hansen’s first ppg of the season.

In the last minute of this period, it would be Vancouver who would score again, this time Jared McCann, would get the puck on a turnover and go in all alone on Quick, shooting high on the Kings goalie to bury it on the breakway, giving the Canucks a 3-2 lead going into the 2nd period intermission.

Jared McCann, his 9th goal of the season, unassisted at 19:27.

VANCOUVER, BC – APRIL 4: Jared McCann #91 of the Vancouver Canucks is congratulated at the bench after scoring against the Los Angeles Kings during their NHL game at Rogers Arena April 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

In the second period:

Vancouver out shot Los Angeles 12 to 9 and won 7 of 18 face-offs.
Canucks and Kings had 7 hits each.
Canucks face-off leaders: Markus Granlund-2 for 7; Bo Horvat-3 for 3; Brendan Gaunce-0 for 2; Henrik Sedin-2 for 6
After two periods: D. Sedin-4 shots; E. Etem-3 shots.
Vancouver Time On Ice: Alex Biega-5:40; Dan Hamhuis-8:02; Chris Tanev-4:17; Ben Hutton-7:05; Henrik Sedin-6:09; Matt Bartkowski-6:03; Jannick Hansen-5:40; Daniel Sedin-6:48; Nikita Tryamkin-7:01
Teams Corsi For:
- Even Strength: Los Angeles-16; Vancouver-14
- All Strengths: Kings-16; Canucks-18
- Top Canucks After Two Periods:
  - All Situations: Bo Horvat +1
  - Even Strength: Alex Biega +2

The third period would come down to who wanted the win more, and both teams played hard, trying to leave everything on the ice when the third period buzzer sounded.

Nikita Tryamkin would give the Kings a man advantage when sent off at 15:15 for holding on Anze Kopitar. Canucks would kill the penalty mking it 2 for 2 in the game.

With two minutes it was anybodys game with the score 3-2 Vancouver. Miller standing on his head in the last half of the period, and the Kings driving hard on the Canucks net.

With 21 second the Kings would have a 6th attacker but all for not as the Canucks would hold on for their first three game winning streak of the season, all three wins coming against the NHL California hockey teams.

In the third period:

Vancouver was out shot by Los Angeles 20 to 6 and only won 8 of 20 face-offs.
Canucks out hit by Kings 7 to 4.
Canucks Time On Ice: Dan Hamhuis-6:36; Daniel Sedin-5:32; Henrik Sedin- 5:20; Chris Tanev-6:45; Ben Hutton-7:28; Jannick Hansen-6:24; Matt Bartkowski-7:05; Bo Horvat-6:31; Alex Biega-6:40; Nikita Tryamkin-5:40
Teams Corsi For:
- Even Strength: Vancouver-11; Los Angeles-26
- All Strengths: Kings-32; Canucks-11

End Of The Game:

Vancouver finished with 24 shots, Los Angeles 42 shots, and Canucks won 21 of 57 face-offs.
Vancouver had 19 hits to the Kings 24 hits.
Canucks penalty kill was 2 for 2; power play was 1 for 4.
Vancouver Time On Ice: Ben Hutton-22:13; Dan Hamhuis-23:09; Matt Bartkowski-19:06; Chris Tanev-17:48; Daniel Sedin-18:00; Henrik Sedin-20:11; Alex Biega-17:17; Nikita Tryamkin-17:40
Teams Corsi For:
- Even Strength: Kings-61; Canucks-31
- All Strengths: Kings-71; Vancouver-38
- Top Canucks in game:
  - All Situations: Alex Biega -1
  - Even Strength: Alex Biega +2

Videos from the official Canucks YouTube channel here : http://www.youtube.com/Canucks

Pictures courtesy of the NHL, and with thanks.

Vancouver Hosts Los Angeles Tonight At Rogers Place

Posted on April 4, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff April 4, 2016

CANUCKS VY FOR SEASON HIGH 3RD STRAIGHT WIN

The Vancouver Canucks (29-36-13) end their 5-game season series tonight against the Los Angeles Kings (46-27-5) at Rogers Place.

Los Angeles is 3-1-0 in the previous four games between the two Pacific division rivals.

Vancouver enters the game fresh from a successful sweep of consecutive California games against San Jose and Anaheim on March 31 and April 1. Against San Jose, the Canucks snapped a 9 game “winless” streak (0-8-1), 4-2.

Former Duck, Emerson Etem scored the wining goal against Anaheim with under seven minutes left in the game, for a 3-2 Canucks win. Jannick Hansen contributed two assists; Bo Horvat had a goal and an assist. Dan Hamhuis had the other Canuck goal; Henrik Sedin and Alex Biega each had one assist.

Jacob Markstrom snapped his five game “winless” streak with the victory, stopping 31 of 33 shots, for a .939 Sv%.

Los Angeles, 2-5-0 in the past seven games, are currently one point behind the first-place Anaheim Ducks with four games remaining.

Look for Ryan Miller to start in goal for the Canucks, coming off a 4-2 win against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, after going 0-3-1 in his previous four starts, snapping a 4-game “winless” streak.

Miller is 16-23-9 in 49 game starts this season, with a 2.63 GAA and .917 Sv%, 1 shutout. In his last 7 game starts, his is 2-4-1, with a 2.58 GAA and .927 Sv%.

For the Kings, Jonathan Quick is expect to start, and is 39-22-4, with a 2.21 GAA and .919 Sv%, 5 shutouts.

Kings Crown Canucks, Thumping Vancouver 5-1

Posted on March 7, 2016 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff MARCH 7, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks (25-28-12) left sunny California having been swept out of the State, losing both games including tonight’s match against Los Angeles Kings (39-22-4).

The Canucks opened up the scoring on a goal by Dan Hamhuis, and then the Kings score five unanswered goals, including three in the final period, to defeat Vancouver 5-1.

The Canucks entered the game with so much promise:

Vancouver came into their road game against the Los Angeles Kings with a record of 6-3-1 in last 10 road games, 10th best in NHL since January 12.
Canucks also faced the Kings with the 2nd best penalty kill on the road in the NHL since January 25th at 92.3 (12 for 13); and the 3rd best penalty kill overall in the NHL in that time span at 87 percent (40 for 46).
Vancouver also came into the game with the 3rd best power play in the NHL since February 15 at 34.6 percent (9 for 26).

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 7: Tyler Toffoli #73 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a backhand shot against Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks on March 7, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)

GAME REVIEW

Canucks and Kings came out battling each other and kept things close in the first five minutes of the game with the Kings out shooting the Canucks 5-3; and both teams having three hits each. Face-off wins were also close at 4 for 6 for the Kings.

Both teams showed good puck movement and drive as there were scoring chances by both teams entering the final half of the period. Canucks were out hitting the Kings and the Kings also had a slight edge in shots.

Canucks Emerson Etem would put Vancouver on the power play when he went in on Kings goalie Johnathan Quick and drew a penalty as he was hooked by Kings defenseman Luke Schenn on the scoring opportunity at 12:47. Vancouver would not be successful with the man advantage.

The period would end scoreless.

After one period:

Team Shots: Kings-10 Canucks-6
Team Face-offs: Kings-8/13 Canucks-5/13
Team Hits: Kings-11 Canucks-14
Team Blocked Shots: Canucks–3 Kings-6
Team Takeaways: Kings-2 Canucks-1
Team Giveaways: Kings-1 Canucks-0
Power Play: Kings: 0/0 Canucks: 0/1
Penalty Kill: Canucks: 0/ 0 Kings: 1/1
Canucks Individual Shots: 6-Canucks@ 1 shot
Canucks Individual Hits: M.Granlund-3; L.Sbisa-2; B.Horvat-2; B.Hutton-2
Canucks Individual Face-offs: B.Horvat-3/5; M.Granlund-1/3
Teams Corsi For:
- EV 5v5—Kings-22 Canucks-11
- All Strengths—Kings-22 Canucks-14
Canucks Individual Corsi For:
- EV 5v5—D.Dorsett +5; B.Horvat +4; B.Gaunce +4
- All Strengths—B.Horvat +6; D.Dorsett +5; B.Gaunce +4
Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.

Both teams would be 4 on 4 in the first minute of the second period as Alex Burrows for the Canucks and Jake Muzzin would both be sent off with minor penalties at 56-seconds.

With Burrows sitting in the sin bin, Dan Hamhuis would open the scoring with his second goal in two games, 2nd goal of the season, to make it 1-0 Vancouver at 2:29 of the middle period, on a tip-in; assisted by Daniel Sedin (31) and Linden Vey (10).

Canucks would be on the power play for the second time in the game at 4:59, when Alex Burrows would be interfered with in front of the Kings net by Brayden McNabb. Vancouver would end the man advantage being 0 for 2 on the power play.

Nearing the halfway point, the Kings were 4 for 7 on face-offs; and out shooting the Canucks 5-3.

Los Angeles would tie the game up at 1-1 at 10:07 on a shot by Drew Doughty, his 13 goal of the season, assisted by Rob Scuderi (6) and Anze Kopitar (37).

Soon after the Kings goal, Los Angeles would receive their first power play of the game when Alex Burrows would be sent off for tripping Brayden McNabb at 10:51.

Anze Kopitar would put the Kings up 2-1 on the power play, with his 20th goal of the season at 12:06, to make a one goal deficit into a one goal lead in a minute and fifty-nine seconds. Assists to Drew Doughty (30) and Jake Muzzin (28).

With under six minutes left in the period, the Canucks would get their third man advantage of the game, when Jared McCann would be elbowed by Trevor Lewis at 14:24. The Kings would make it 0 for 3 for the Canucks on the power play.

It would not take long for another man advantage for the Canucks, as a short time later, off a scoring play, the Kings would be penalized for delay of game on a clearing attempt, at 17:03 as Brayden McNabb would be penalized.

Then on the power play, the Canucks would be penalized for too many men on the ice, with 44-seconds left in the man advantage, at 18:33.

2-1 Kings after 40 minutes.

After two periods:

Team Shots: Kings-21 Canucks-16
Team Face-offs: Kings-22/36 Canucks-14/36
Team Hits: Kings-17 Canucks-18
Team Blocked Shots: Canucks–7 Kings-11
Team Takeaways: Kings-3 Canucks-2
Team Giveaways: Kings-3 Canucks-2
Power Play: Kings: 1/2 Canucks: 0/4
Penalty Kill: Canucks: 1/2 Kings: 4/4
Canucks Individual Shots: R.Vrbata-3; L.Vey-2; S.Baertschi-2
Canucks Individual Hits: L.Sbisa-3; B.Horvat-3; M.Granlund-3
Canucks Individual Face-offs: B.Horvat-6/12; L.Vey-3/10; J.McCann-3/4; M.Granlund-2/9
Teams Corsi For:
- EV 5v5—Kings-37 Canucks-24
- All Strengths—Kings-41 Canucks-35
Canucks Individual Corsi For:
- EV 5v5—D.Dorsett +4; B.Horvat +2; B.Gaunce +2
- All Strengths—D.Sedin +7; L.Vey +7; B.Hutton +6
Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.

Vancouver entered the 3rd period, looking for their second win in a row but down a goal, needing to make a push early in the period to even things up at 2-2.

The Kings were making things tough for Vancouver as they only had three registered shots on net after seven and a half minutes in the period.

Jeff Carter for the Kings would make it 3-1 at 11:39, on his 8th shot of the night. His 16th of the season, assisted by Anze Kopitar (38).

Vancouver’s Derek Dorsett and the Kings Brayden McNabb would get fighting majors at 11:56.

The Kings would make it two goals in 39-seconds, and extend their lead by two goals, as Vincent Lecavalier, put it by Ryan Miller for his 6th goal of the season, assisted by Alec Martinez (18).

Drew Doughty would be sent to the penalty box at 12:49, and during the power play, Miller would be pulled for a 6th attacker with 5:26 left in the game. The Canucks would end up 0 for 5 on the power play.

The Canucks would continue to play with Miller out of his net, and the Kings would make it 5-1, on an empty netter by Jeff Carter at 16:03, his second goal of the period; his 300th of his career and 17 goal of the season. Assisted by Milan Lucic (25).

And that’s all she wrote.

End of Game:

Team Shots: Kings-29 Canucks-22
Team Face-offs: Kings-29/51 Canucks-22/51
Team Hits: Kings-25 Canucks-28
Team Blocked Shots: Canucks–8 Kings-17
Team Takeaways: Kings-5 Canucks-2
Team Giveaways: Kings-5 Canucks-2
Power Play: Kings: 1/2 Canucks: 0 /5
Penalty Kill: Canucks: 1/2 Kings: 5/5
Canucks Individual Shots: L.Vey-3; R.Vrbata-3
Canucks Individual Hits: L.Sbisa-4; A.Burrows-3; B.Horvat-3; A.Biega-3; M.Granlund-3
Canucks Individual Face-offs: L.Vey-5/13; B.Horvat-7/16; M.Granlund-4/12; J.McCann-4/6
Teams Corsi For:
- EV 5v5—Kings-47 Canucks-42
- All Strengths—Kings-53 Canucks-55
Canucks Individual Corsi For:
- EV 5v5—D.Hamhuis +5; D.Dorsett +3; S.Baertschi +2; B.Gaunce +2
- All Strengths—S.Baertschi +8; L.Vey +8; D.Sedin +7; J. Virtanen +6; D.Hamhuis +6
Corsi For measures the shot attempt differential of a player while on the ice including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots for and against.

Vancouver Completely Dominated By Kings In 5-0 Loss

Posted on December 29, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 29, 2015

CANUCKS SHUTOUT FOR FIFTH TIME

Vancouver (14-15-9) were completely dominated in the 2nd of four games against Pacific division opponents Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings (22-11-2), on their 7-game home stand.

The Canucks came into the game with a 3 game undefeated streak at home, and 7 points in their last 4 games, where they were undefeated going 3-0-1. Both came to an end as the Kings shutout Vancouver 5-0, the second shutout this season for Los Angeles against the Canucks.

With the loss, Vancouver sits tied for 3rd place in the Pacific division with Arizona with 37 points, 9 points behind the Kings in 1rst place.

Canucks are a single point ahead of San Jose and Calgary; four points ahead of Edmonton and five points in front of Anaheim.

Jacob Markstrom could not be faulted for any of the goals in the loss. With the loss, Markstrom is 3-6-3 in his last 12 games, with a 2.61 GAA and .917 Sv%. and is 2-1-0 in his last three games with a 2.29 GAA and .929 Sv% in relief for the injured Ryan Miller.

The Canucks entered the game hurting with Ryan Miller (undisclosed), Christopher Tanev (lower body), Dan Hamhuis (facial surgery), Luca Sbisa (hand), Brandon Sutter (sports hernia surgery) out indefinitely. Henrik Sedin, Chris Higgins and Alex Burrows back but ailing.

The Kings wasted little time in picking on one of the Sedins, and chose Henrik, who is playing through a lower body injury, as Brayden McNabb hit him hard, throwing an elbow. That resulted in Alex Biega coming to his teammate’s aid and taking McNabb on. The referees did not see the elbow and Biega was given the only penalty, and an early power play for the Kings that Vancouver would kill.

The Kings drew first blood scoring at 15:33 of the period on a goal by Tyler Toffoli (15) on wrist shot from Anze Kopitar (13) and Milan Lucic (12).

The Canucks were: out shot, 16-; 8 for 23 on face-offs; and had 4 giveaways
The Canucks did out hit the Kings, 7-6; and had 9 blocked shots to the Kings two. Radim Vrbata had 4 shots; Andrey Pedan and Henrik Sedin, 2 hits each.
Vancouver had one shot on the Kings after 10 minutes of play in the opening period, and were 3 for 14 face-offs halfway through.
Canucks were 0-1 on the power play; and 1 for 1 on the penalty kill.

Vancouver came out in the middle frame with more jump, getting some good scoring chances early, but quickly the Kings would take a 2-0 lead, changing the momentum of the game in the period.

Derek Forbort, his 1rst goal of the season, on a deflected shot, that also went off Andrey Pedan’s skate, and past Jacob Markstrom. Assisted by Trevor Lewis (3) at 1:57.

The Kings would make it 3-0, with their second goal of the period, on a goal by Brayden McNabb, his 2nd goal of the season,on a slapshot from the left point, assisted by Anze Kopitar (14) at 11:57.

And 3-0 Los Angeles would be the score at the end of the middle frame.

Canucks were: out shot 10-9; only won 4 of 16 face-offs; had 3 giveaways; were 0 for 1 on the power play
Vancouver had only won one face-off win by the 15 minute mark of the period.

In the third period, the Canucks knew they would face an uphill battle against Los Angeles, and Los Angeles would squash any hope of a Canuck rally, when they scored their fourth unanswered goal at 5:55 of the final frame.

Tyler Toffoli, his 16th of the season, second of the game, on a wrist shot, assisted by Anze Kopitar (15) and Alec Martinez (10), making it 4-0 Los Angeles.

Tyler Toffoli would pick up his hat trick goal and make it 5-0 for the Kings, a power play goal, on a deflected shot, at 12:56 assisted by Anze Kopitar (16) and Drew Doughty (16). It was his second career hat trick and 17 goal of the season.

Vancouver got their third and fourth power play opportunities of the game late in the period, and hope abounded that the Canuck could spoil the shutout bid by Jonathan Quick. But the Canucks would not be able to do it.

GAME REVIEW

CANUCKS PLAYER STATS

WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS

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

Vancouver Attempts To Dethrone Division Leading Los Angeles Kings Tonight

Posted on December 28, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 28, 2015

Henrik Sedin, Alex Burrows, Chris Higgins To Play Tonight

Vancouver (14-14-9) plays the 2nd of four games against Pacific division opponents tonight as they host the Los Angeles Kings (21-11-2), on their 7-game home stand.

The Canucks enter the game with a 3 game undefeated streak at home (6-6-3), and 7 points in their last 4 games, where they are undefeated going 3-0-1; the last win being on Boxing Day, 2-1 in overtime against the Edmonton Oilers.

Jannik Hansen notched two goals to lead Vancouver to victory. His game winning goal puts him 20th for most GWG’s in franchise history with 16. Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Matt Bartkowski and Jacob Markstrom each had an assist. Vancouver was 3 for 3 on the penalty kill but 0 for 2 on the power play. Adam Cracknell had 8 hits in the game, a season high for any Canuck. Jacob Markstrom stopped 32 or 33 shots.

This marks the longest winning streak at home this season; last year the Canucks posted one four game winning streak (Feb. 7-Mar. 1) at home and two three game winning streaks at Rogers Arena (Apr. 6-11 and Oct. 26-30).

Vancouver sits tied for 3rd place in the Pacific division with Arizona with 37 points, 7 points behind the Kings in 1rst place.

Canucks are a single point ahead of San Jose and Calgary; three points ahead of Edmonton and four points in front of Anaheim.

Vancouver is 5-4-1 in their last 10 games.

The game is the third of five meetings this season between the two teams and first to be played in Vancouver. The Kings visit Rogers Arena again on Apr. 4. The Canucks pay a visit to the Staples Center on Mar. 7. The Canucks have a record of 1-0-1 in the season series to date.

Henrik Sedin, Alex Burrows and Chris Higgins are confirmed to play tonight.

Jacob Markstrom will start in net for the Canucks with Joe Cannata backing him up.

Markstrom is 3-5-3 in his last 11 games, with a 2.33 GAA and .924 Sv%. and is 2-0-0 in his last two games with a 0.97 GAA and .967 Sv% in relief for the injured Ryan Miller.

In the Kings last game, Arizona managed to score twice on a major penalty late in the third period to force overtime against the Los Angeles Kings, but it would be the Kings scored the eventual winner. Anze Kopitar popped in the winner 36 seconds into the overtime period, for a 4-3 victory.

Los Angeles is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.

The Canucks need to tighten up their defensive game, giving up less even strength shots to their opponents and win more face-offs, while getting more shots on opposing goalies.

Canucks were 32 for 66 in the face-off circle against Edmonton; 12 for 25 in the final period and overtime. Which is an improvement over previous games.

Vancouver also needs to come up with an improved power play which has been a let down in recent games. Canucks power play is 0 for 13 in their last seven games, including the 6 games on their recent road trip. The 7 games prior, it was only 4 for 30. In the last 14 games, their power play is 4 for 43 for 9.3 percent.

When it comes to the penalty kill, Vancouver is second best in the Pacific division at home, and continued that strong showing on Saturday night when they were 3 for 3 on penalty kill, which will need to continue to be strong the rest of the season.

Vancouver is 17 for 20: 85.0% on their penalty kill, in their last 4 games, in which they sport a record of 3-0-1.

Vancouver overall is the 3rd most penalized team in the NHL, with 438 minutes. They have the 3rd most penalties handed out (172); the 3rd most minors (148); tied for the 6th most majors (14); the 2nd most miscellaneous at 6.

The Canuck players have to be more disciplined and selective when it comes to taking penalties.

In December, Vancouver is the 2nd most penalized team in the league with 158 penalty minutes in 12 games. They are tied for the most penalties taken with 63; are 1rst in most minors with 56; tied for 5th majors with 4.

Be best for Vancouver not to upset the referees, but if they do, the penalty kill is nearing the best it has ever been. The Canucks are 41 for 49, 83.7% in 12 games this month and 21 for 24 in their last five games for 87.5 percent.

CANUCK JOTTINGS

Point Streaks:
- DANIEL SEDIN (2-1-3 / 3 Games)
- HENRIK SEDIN (0-2-2 / 2 Games
Daniel Sedin (133) and Radim Vrbata (130) rank seventh and eighth in the League, respectively, in shots.
Vancouver has a .667 win percentage when scoring three or more goals (10-1-4).
The Canucks 21 PPG on the season are t-16th most in the NHL
Vancouver has had 122 power play opportunities to date, tied for fourth most of any team in the League; 69 of these opportunities have been drawn on the road (t-1st in the NHL).
The Canucks are 16th in the League in blocked shots with 496 and ninth in shots for with 108.
The Canucks called up blue-liner Ashton Sautner from Utica (AHL) yesterday although, for the time being, that appears to be just a depth move.
On Saturday, despite seven regulars out of the line-up including starting netminder Ryan Miller, the Canucks managed to battle back from a one-goal deficit to earn their first overtime win of the season in the 2-1 victory over the Oilers.
Canucks have earned points in four straight (3-0-1), their longest such streak since a five-game run from October 24 to November 2.