No Shortage Of Advice For The Canucks To Shake The Doom And Gloom Naysayers….Just Saying

Posted on November 22, 2015 by CanucksBanter

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff November 22, 2015 Just Saying….

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 Ride The Sedin’s Wave, End Four Game Losing Streak, 6-3 Over Chicago.

Posted on November 21, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff November 21, 2015

According to the Canucks (8-7-6), home never looked so sweet as they returned to familiar surroundings after a disastrous 7-game road trip.

Tonight’s opponent, the Chicago Blackhawks (11-8-2), were expected to be no pushover, but Daniel Sedin (3-1—4 +3) and Henrik Sedin (1-4—5 +3) had a total of 9 points, and Ryan Miller was solid (after allowing 2-goals on the Blackhawks first seven shots), stopping 26 of 29 shots, as they led the Canucks to 6-3 home win against the defending Stanley Cup champs.

The Canucks were looking to end a season high 4-game losing streak, and the Blackhawks were looking to get back to winning ways after having their 3-game winning streak come to an end, against the Calgary Flames on Friday night.

After winning three of their first four games to start the season, the Canucks had only four wins in their last 16 games. They had lost four straight and seven of their last eight.

First Period

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (7) opened the scoring with a power play goal to make it 1-0 Chicago at 6:17, off the goal post on the short side.

Jannick Hansen had everyone worried when he was crosschecked into an on coming shot by Dan Hamhuis and he left the game, to return later. The Canucks did get a power play on the crosscheck. Fifty seconds after the Canucks started the power play, the Blackhawks got penalized again, setting up a 5-3 advantage.

Henrik Sedin (6), assisted by Daniel Sedin (12), and Alex Edler (6) made it a 1-1 tie on the power play at 9:32. It was Daniel Sedin’s 900th point of his NHL career.

Jannick Hansen (6) gets an even strength goal, set up by Henrik Sedin (11) and Matt Bartowski(5) at 15:18, and the Canucks had their second consecutive goal to take the lead 2-1.

Chicago quickly responded back, tying up the game at 2-2 on a goal by Ryan Garbutt(1), assisted by Jonathan Toews (7) at 16:10. And that was the score at the end of one period.

Vancouver out hit Chicago 5-2 in the opening period; had more faceoff wins: 13-9; had more takeaways: 4-1; more blocked shots: 6-5; less giveaways than Chicago: 2-3; and both teams had 7-shots each.

Second Period

The second period started out with both teams trying to dictate the intensity of the game. Canucks got the break they needed with a power play and did not disappoint as Daniel Sedin (8) scored from Henrick Sedin (12) at 7:22.

Both teams picked up the pace of the game with nine minutes left in the second period. Luca Sbisa received a penalty for high sticking and the Canucks responded with an aggressive penalty kill and a great save by Ryan Miller. Canucks 3-2 after the middle period. Chicago out shot Vancouver 11-6.

Canucks out hit Chicago 6-3; faceoffs were:7-7 each; giveaways: 4-0 Chicago; takeaways: 5-3 Vancouver; blocked shots: 5-2 Vancouver. Power Play:1-1 Van; 0-1 Chicago.

Faceoffs: Horvat: 10 for 12; H. Sedin: 5-12; McCann: 1-5; Cracknell: 4-7; Canucks: 20-36 overall after two periods. Even Strength: 12-27. Penalty Kill: 2-2. Power Play: 6-7.

Third Period

Canucks have had trouble hanging on to 3rd period leads, and both teams were playing with urgency early in the final frame. The action in the final frame was frantic, with a good pace to the game.

With less than ten minutes left in the game, Alex Burrows led the Canucks on a 3-on-1 into the Chicago end, as the Blackhawks got caught trying for the tying goal. The chances were there for both teams, the finishing wasn’t.

Chicago finally got rewarded for their tenacious play as Artem Anisimov (9) scored, assisted by Patrick Kane (19) and Trevor Daley (5) at 12:20, with 7:40 left in the game.

Vancouver moved it into a higher gear, and just over two minutes later, Daniel Sedin(9) scored his second goal of the game, to put the Canucks out in front 4-3 assisted by Henrik Sedin (13) and Alex Edler (7) at 14:35.

Chicago played with urgency, and the Canucks stayed disciplined and kept their composure, and two minutes later, Daniel Sedin (10) scored his 3rd goal of the game, and his 6th hat trick of his career to put Vancouver up by 2-goals, 5-3. Assists went to Henrik Sedin (13) and Alex Edler (7).

Chicago pulled their goaltender, Corey Crawford, to get within one goal but were unable to succeed and Alex Burrows scored an empty net goal on a power play as Chicago pressed shorthanded and without their goalie, to cap off the impressive win, their 3rd in 9-home games this season.

Vancouver has little rest as they take on the New Jersey Devils tomorrow night in the 2nd of two weekend home games at Rogers Place before leaving for a 4-game road trip.

GAME REVIEW

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

NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 20, 2015

Posted on November 20, 2015 by CanucksBanter

NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 20, 2015

Welcome to the “NHL Morning Skate,” a daily collection of the latest news and notes from around the League.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
BOSTON 4, Minnesota 2
San Jose 1, PHILADELPHIA 0 (OT)
PITTSBURGH 4, Colorado 3
Dallas 3, WASHINGTON 2
Arizona 3, MONTREAL 2
OTTAWA 3, Columbus 0
TAMPA BAY 2, NY Rangers 1
Anaheim 3, FLORIDA 1
ST. LOUIS 3, Buffalo 2 (SO)

OVECHKIN BECOMES TOP RUSSIAN-BORN GOAL-SCORER IN NHL HISTORY

Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scored his 484th career goal (777 GP) to pass Sergei Fedorov (483 G in 1,248 GP) for most goals by a Russian-born player in NHL history.

“Obviously it was loud. They cheered for me since day one so it was a great moment. My dad is always there. My mom was there, my brother, my fiancé and her parents, so that was a special moment for me.” – Alex Ovechkin

“What he has accomplished thus far in his career has been nothing short of remarkable. I had a great opportunity to play with Alex in Washington and have seen first-hand the respect, passion and enthusiasm he has not only for the game of hockey but for his country as well.” – Sergei Fedorov

* Nicklas Backstrom (1-1—2) assisted on Ovechkin’s milestone goal. Coincidentally, Backstrom also earned an assist on Fedorov’s goal that broke Alexander Mogilny’s NHL record for career goals by a Russian-born player when they skated together for the Capitals on Oct. 24, 2008 at Dallas.
* Earlier this season, Ovechkin (484-428—912) also became the fourth Russian-born player to record 900 NHL points, following Fedorov (483-696—1,179), Mogilny (473-559—1,032) and Alex Kovalev (430-599—1,029).

MOST CAREER NHL GOALS BY COUNTRY OF BIRTH:

Wayne Gretzky (Canada) – 894
Jaromir Jagr (Czech Republic) – 729
Teemu Selanne (Finland) – 684
Mats Sundin (Sweden) – 564
Mike Modano (United States) – 561
Alex Ovechkin (Russia) – 484

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 19: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars in the third period of an NHL game at Verizon Center on November 19, 2015 in Washington, DC. Ovechkin scored his 484th career NHL goal passing Sergei Fedorov for the most goals by a Russian-born player in NHL history. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

STARS CONTINUE FRANCHISE-BEST START, CLIMB TO TOP OF STANDINGS

Jason Spezza scored the go-ahead goal at 11:10 of the third period as the Stars edged the Capitals to pick up their fourth consecutive victory overall and fifth straight win on the road.

* At 16-4-0 (32 points), the Stars are off to their best 20-game start to a season – in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 48-year history. Their 16 victories and 32 points lead the League.
* The Stars also improved to 9-2-0 (18 points) in their first 11 games as visitors. They pace the NHL in road wins and road points.
* Kari Lehtonen (33 saves) earned his sixth straight win, improving to 9-1-0 overall this season (2.34 GAA, .923 SV%). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other time in franchise history that a goaltender won at least nine of his first ten games in one season was when Lehtonen did so in 2011-12 (also 9-1-0).
* Lehtonen also improved to 16-6-2 in 24 career appearances vs. WSH (2.56 GAA, .924 SV%, 2 SO), including seven straight wins.
* Tyler Seguin scored for Dallas and now trails CHI’s Patrick Kane (13-17—30) by two points for the League-lead with 11-17—28 in his first 20 games. Per Elias, he is the first member of the Stars/North Stars to record 28 or more points in the first 20 games of a season since Dino Ciccarelli (24-15—39) in 1986-87.
* John Klingberg (0-2—2) leads all blueliners in assists and points with 4-18—22 in his first 20 games of the season. Per Elias, he is the first defenseman in franchise history to record 22 points in the first 20 games of a season.

LIGHTNING SNAP RANGERS NINE-GAME WINNING STREAK

Valtteri Filppula (1-1—2) scored the game-winning goal while shorthanded with 1:05 left in regulation as the Lightning snapped New York’s nine-game winning streak in the first meeting between both clubs since the 2015 Eastern Conference Final (4-3 TBL series win).

* Per Elias, Filppula’s game-winning marker was the latest tiebreaking shorthanded goal in regulation time since Nov. 12, 2005, when Mike Knuble (PHI) did so against Florida at the 19:56 mark of the third period.
* Ben Bishop made 20 saves – including stopping Chris Kreider on a third-period penalty shot attempt – to improve to 9-0-0 in nine career regular-season appearances vs. NYR (1.43 GAA, .947 SV%, 2 SO).
* The Lightning improved to 5-0-0 in their last five regular-season games vs. NYR dating to Jan. 14, 2014 (NYR: 0-5-0).

JONES, ANDERSON POST SHUTOUT WINS FOR SHARKS, SENATORS

The Sharks and Senators each earned shutout victories on Thursday night over the Flyers and Blue Jackets, respectively:

* Melker Karlsson scored his first career overtime goal at 3:45 of the extra frame to lead the Sharks to a 1-0 victory. The Sharks have won the first four games of their current six-game trip, and have won five straight on the road overall. Martin Jones (34 saves) won his fourth straight decision and earned his third shutout of the season, tying Jake Allen (STL) and Michal Neuvirth (PHI) for the League-lead.
* Erik Karlsson (2-1—3) factored in on all three Senators goals and Craig Anderson made 25 saves to blank Columbus. Per Elias, Anderson (Park Ridge, IL) recorded his 30th career shutout and ranks third among active U.S.-born goaltenders in career blank sheets behind Jonathan Quick (38) and Ryan Miller (36).

THIS AND THAT

* Loui Eriksson (3-0—3) recorded his third career hat trick – and first since Dec. 31, 2009 vs. ANA (w/ DAL). Eriksson has 9-8—17 in his first 18 games of the season, including three multi-goal games. Jonas Gustavsson (24 saves) improved to 4-1-0 in his first five appearances with the Bruins (2.20 GAA, .914 SV%).
* Vladimir Tarasenko (1-1—2) scored his 12th goal of the season and Alexander Steen (0-2—2) assisted on each of the Blues’ goals in regulation and added the decisive tally in the shootout as St. Louis improved to 17-2-0 in their last 19 games vs. BUF dating to Jan. 13, 1999 (BUF: 2-14-3), including seven straight wins.
* Down 1-0, the Penguins scored three consecutive second-period goals in a span of 2:08 and Sidney Crosby netted the decisive marker at 11:56 of the third period to improve to 5-1-0 in their last six home games vs. COL dating to Dec. 10, 2005 (COL: 1-4-1). Per Elias, the Penguins scored three times in a span of 2:08 or faster for the first time since Jan. 3, 2008 vs. TOR (0:48).
* The Coyotes opened the scoring with three consecutive goals and held off a late Montreal rally to edge the Canadiens 3-2. Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored his second game-winning goal of the season to extend his career-high point streak to seven games (3-4—7). Ekman-Larsson paces all blueliners with 18 game-winning goals since he began his career in 2010-11.
* Frederik Andersen made 24 saves and Andrew Cogliano’s first shorthanded goal of the season stood as the game-winner in Anaheim’s 3-1 victory over Florida. The Ducks improved to 6-2-2 in their last 10 games following a 1-7-2 start to the season.

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS

* Avalanche forward Jarome Iginla registered two assists to pass Peter Stastny (450-789—1,239 in 977 GP) for sole possession of 37th on the NHL’s all-time points list (596-645—1,241 in 1,411 GP). Iginla also skated in his 1,411th career game, passing Norm Ullman (1,410 GP) and moving into a tie with Harry Howell for 31st on the NHL’s all-time games played list.
* Dallas defenseman Alex Goligoski skated in his 500th career NHL game.
* Lightning forward Joel Vermin (10:14 TOI) and Wild defenseman Gustav Olofsson (10:41 TOI) both made their NHL debut.

LOOSE PUCKS

Bruins forward David Krejci (0-2—2) leads the Bruins in assists and points with 8-14—22 in his first 18 games of the season… Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron (0-1—1) extended his point streak to six games (3-4—7)… Wild forward Mikko Koivu (0-1—1) extended his point streak to five games (1-4—5)… Avalanche forward Matt Duchene (2-0—2) extended his point streak to five games (6-5—11)…Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (1-0—1) has 3-2—5 in his last two games, including two power-play goals…Canadiens forwards Max Pacioretty (1-1—2) and Brendan Gallagher (0-1—1) both extended their point streaks to six games (3-5—8 each)… Senators forward Bobby Ryan (0-1—1) extended his point streak to seven games (3-5—8)…ICYMI: Coyotes forward and Pointe-Claire, QC native Anthony Duclair (0-1—1) had many family and friends on hand for his game in Montreal and spotted a group of former teammates in the crowd at Bell Centre and took a selfie with them.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Toronto @ Carolina, 7:00 p.m., SNO, FS-CR
Nashville @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m., FS-TN, FS-O
Los Angeles @ Detroit, 7:30 p.m., FS-W, FS-D+
Montreal @ NY Islanders, 7:30 p.m., RDS, SNE, MSG+
Chicago @ Calgary, 9:00 p.m., CSN-CH, SNW
New Jersey @ Edmonton, 9:00 p.m., MSG+ 2, SNOL

Vancouver Takes Road Woes To Montreal

Posted on November 16, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff November 16, 2015

Vancouver (7-6-5) continues their 7-game road trip in Montreal (13-3-2), with Montreal trying to regain top spot in the NHL, and the Canucks looking to defeat the Canadians for the second time this season.

Both teams are looking to end two game losing streaks, with the Canucks losing the battle of Ontario, to both Ottawa and Toronto.

The Canadians, suffered back to back losses to Pittsburgh and Colorado, to drop out of top spot in the NHL, as the New York Rangers jumped up to become the best team in the NHL.

Vancouver since 2000, have a record of 4-6-1 in Montreal, last winning during the 2011-12 season, by a score of 4-3. All time record: Overall 31-79-13; at home 19-36-8; in Montreal 12-43-5.

WHO ARE THESE CANUCKS?

The Canucks, who beat the Canadians 5-1 in Vancouver on Oct. 27, do not resemble the same team.

The Canadians, having won nine straight entering that game from the start of the season, have been 4-3-2 since then. Vancouver at the time was 3-2-3, and since then have a record of 4-4-2, including that win against Montreal.

While other teams in the Pacific Division continue to climb up the standings, the Canucks are continuing their descent further down in the division with little resistance, as they continually show their inability to solve issues that continue to befell them game in and game out.

The Canucks have lost 4 of 5 games on their road trip. The only victory coming against the NHL-cellar-dwelling Columbus Blue Jackets.

Yet Vancouver has outscored the opposition in those 5 games, 12-8 at even strength.

IN NEED OF A CHARGE

The Vancouver Canucks are getting 2.83 goals per game and are scoring scoring on 15.8 percent of their power play chances (9 of 57) overall.
On the road, it is 12.5 percent (4 of 32).
The power play is 2-14 on the current road trip.
Adding insult to the man advantage: Canucks have been stung for two shorthanded goals on the road trip.

CANUCKS HEMORAGING SHORTHANDED

Vancouver Canucks are allowing 2.56 goals per game and are killing 79.2 percent of their power play chances (42 of 53) overall.
On the road, it is 76.7 percent (23 of 30).
Their penalty kill, normally strong, is nearing the bottom of the NHL, has allowed 7 goals on 18 attempts during the current road stretch.
The Canucks have surrendered a power play goal in six straight games.
Previously they had not given up PPGs in a 6-game stretch since the start of the 2009-10 season when they allowed PPGs in their first six games from October 1 to 16

Which Canuck team will show up tonight?? The team that beat Montreal so resoundingly on October 27? Or, the team that has struggled on their current road trip?

“I don’t think we’ve beaten ourselves that often. The thing you have to like about our team is every time they come back hard. It doesn’t matter how far we get down, doesn’t matter what’s happened, we’re hanging around at the end looking for a way to win the game.”

— Canuck coach Willie Desjardins

If the Canucks look for a way to win a game too often, they could be staring down the fairway on the 1rst hole of the Point Grey golf course in April.

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

Ryan Miller is 0-4-1 with a 3.46 GAA over a five-game stretch in which he’s surrendered three goals or more each time
Miller has a 27-12-6 record against Montreal.
In 4 games on the road trip, Miller has allowed 14 goals on 115 shots, a save percentage of .878.
Vancouver’s Jannik Hansen has 4 goals and 3 assists over his last 7 games.
The Canucks have a power-play goal in their last two games
Canucks C Brandon Sutter (lower body) did not practise Sunday and could miss his third straight game.
Both D Luca Sbisa (foot) and LW Brandon Prust (ankle) rejoined the team in Toronto and practised.
Alex Burrows could rejoin the Canucks in Montreal
Hunter Shinkaruk called up from Utica Comets after scoring 10 goals in 12 games in the AHL could make his NHL debut against the Canadiens
Jacob Markstrom is expected to be in goal tonight against Montreal.
Jake Virtanen leads the team and all NHL rookies in hits with 40.
Daniel Sedin has 13 points (4-9-13) in his last 14 games.
Ben Hutton ranks t-second on the team and second among NHL rookies in assists (8). Hutton has four assists in the last seven
games and had a career-high three game point/assist streak from Nov. 7-10/15. He also ranks t-third among rookies in blocked shots
with 20.
Ryan Miller ranks first in a number of statistical categories this season including games played/started (16), TOI (966:31) and shots
against (452).
Alex Edler leads VAN in time on ice (24:44) and has led the team in that category in 16 of 17 games he’s played, including nine
games where he’s led all skaters in TOI. He currently ranks t-12th in the NHL in TOI/GP. Last season, Edler ranked first on the team
in average ice time per game (23:58) and led the team in TOI on 59 separate occasions including 26 games where led all skaters in
TOI.
The Canucks have had 18 different goal scorers this season (tied for most in the League with St. Louis and Nashville)
The Canucks are 9th in the League with 2.83 goals for per game; Their 51 goals on the year are fifth most in the NHL.
VANCOUVER’S 2015.16 RECORD WHEN…
Score 4+ Goals: 5-0-0
Score 3 Goals or Less: 2-6-5
Allow 4+ Goals: 0-2-2
Allow 3 Goals or Less: 7-4-3
On 0 Days Rest: 2-0-1
On 1 Day Rest: 2-3-3
On 2 Days Rest: 2-2-1
On 3+ Days Rest: 0-1-1
Score a PPG: 2-3-3
Give up a PPG: 2-4-3
20+ Shots on Goal: 7-6-5
Less than 20 shots:

SEASON SNAPSHOT

The Canucks are tied for 2nd place with Arizona in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, with 19 points, three points behind the division leader Los Angeles who have 22 points. San Jose is in 4rth place with 18 points, followed by Anaheim, Calgary and Edmonton with 14, 13 and 12 points respectively.

Vancouver is in the top 8 teams of the Western Conference tied with Arizona for the 5th most points, with 19 points. Dallas leads the conference with 28 points, five points ahead of Minnesota, Nashville and St. Louis, all with 23 points.

Canucks are in the top 16 of the NHL, tied with Tampa Bay and Arizona for the 7th most points in the league with 19 points. The New York Rangers are the best team in the league with 30 points, followed by Dallas and Montreal with 28 points each. Washington, Minnesota, Nashville and St. Louis are at their coat tails with 23 points.

Montreal leads the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference with 28 points. Ottawa is in 2nd place with 20 points, followed by Tampa Bay in 3rd place with 19 points. Boston, Detroit, Buffalo and Florida are all bunched up with 17 points each, with Toronto in cellar with 14 points.

Vancouver is led in scoring by Daniel Sedin with 16 points, including a team high 11 assists. Henrik Sedin is next with 13 points, followed by Jannik Hansen with 11 points.The Sedin brothers, Hansen and rookie Jared McCann are the top snipers for the Canucks with 5 goals apiece.

For the Canadians, Tomas Plekanec leds in scoring with 17 points, a single point ahead of Max Pacioretty, P.K. Subban and Brendan Gallagher, all with 16 points. P.K. Subban leads Montreal in assists with 15, two more than Andrei Markov who has 13 assists. The top snipers on the Canadians are Max Pacioretty, Brendan Gallagher, Dale Weise, all with 8 goals each.