Tag Archives: vancouver canucks

Vancouver Survives Avalanche For 3-1 Win In First Of Two On Road Trip

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    FEBRUARY 9, 2016

CANUCKS END FOUR GAME LOSING STREAK,

HAND AVALANCHE FOURTH STRAIGHT LOSS

The Vancouver Canucks (21-20-12) hit the road to play the Colorado Avalanche (27-25-4) tonight.

Simply put, the Canucks entered the game looking to end a 4-game losing streak with a victory against the Avalanche handing Colorado their 4rth straight loss.

Anything less would be unacceptable, and further indication that golf would be waiting for Vancouver in the Spring.

Vancouver could not find a way to win against division rival Calgary Flames, but they did against Colorado, ending their four game losing streak with a 3-1 win.

Bo Horvat with a goal and an assist (8-7=15 in last 15 games); Ben Hutton with two assists (1-5=6 in last 15 games); Matt Bartkowski (1-2=3 in last 15 games) and Sven Baertschi (5-3=8 in last 11 games) with a goal each; Alex Burrows (2-3=5 in last 15 games) with a helper; Jacob Markstrom stopped 27 of 28 shots for a .964 Sv%. to lead the Canucks, who lost defenseman Alex Edler and center Brandon Sutter for the game in the second period.

Jacob Markstrom is now 6-1-1 in his last 8 game starts, with a 2.00 GAA and .935 Sv%.

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 09: Goalie Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks defends the goal as Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche and Matt Bartkowski #44 of the Vancouver Canucks look to control the puck at Pepsi Center on February 9, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 09: Goalie Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks defends the goal as Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche and Matt Bartkowski #44 of the Vancouver Canucks look to control the puck at Pepsi Center on February 9, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Vancouver is 6-4-3 in their last 13 games; 4-2-1 in their last 7 road games.

Arizona is up next for Vancouver, tomorrow night.

GAME REVIEW

Canucks did not have a good start to the opening period as the Avalanche were able to put a little pressure on the Canucks in their end, and make trouble around the Vancouver net.

Canucks would get the first 3 shots on net, trying to jump on the rebounds given up. Colorado got their first shot on net at 4:18.

After getting their first shot on net, the Avalanche turned up the heat, trapping the Canucks in their end, and putting shots on Markstrom who was forced to make a couple of impressive saves to keep the game scoreless.

With 11:32 remaining, Colorado was 6 for 8 on face-off wins, with the Canucks having an 4-3 edge on shots.

Last half of the opening period was being dominated by Colorado early and well into it, as they kept Vancouver in their end for a lot of time while working their magic but with Markstrom’s help, Vancouver kept frustrating the Avalanche, eventually getting some scoring chances of their own.

The Avalanche would get the first power play of the game, when Sven Baertschi would be sent off for elbowing Andrew Bodnarchuk at 16:24.

With the Avalanche with a few scoring opportunities, and pressing for more, they would get a two-man advantage when Bo Horvat would be penalized for high sticking Nathan MacKinnon at 17:47.

With one penalty killed off, and the other almost done, Luca Sbisa would receive two minutes for holding the stick of Gabriel Landeskog at 19:20, giving the Avalanche another 5-on-3 advantage, this time for 20 seconds.

The Canucks would end the period shorthanded, with the score 0-0.

After one period:

  • Team Shots On Net: Colorado-10; Canucks-8; Team Hits: Colorado-6; Canucks-3
  • Team Face-offs: Colorado -12/17; Canucks-5/17; Team Blocked Shots: Canucks-8; Colorado-4
  • Team Takeaways: Colorado-2 ; Canucks-4 ; Team Giveaways: Colorado-4 ; Canucks-2
  • Power Play: Colorado: 0/3; Penalty Kill: Canucks: 3/3
  • Canucks Individual Shots:; E.Etem-2 shots; Canucks Individual Hits: l.Sbisa-2hits
  • Canucks Individual Face-offs: H.Sedin: 2/6; B.Sutter: 2/7; B.Horvat: 1/4
  • Teams Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—Colorado-14; Canucks-14
    • All Strengths—Colorado-21; Canucks-15
  • Canucks Individual Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—D.Hamhuis +4; A.Burrows & L.Sbisa +3 each
    • All Strengths—A.Burrows & L.Vey +4 each; H.Sedin +2

In the middle period, the Avalanche would score early but not on the power play they came into the period with.

Francois Beauchemin, his 7th of the season, at 2:26, on a wrist shot, assisted by Jarome Iginla (15) and Alex Tanguay (17), to make it 1-0 Colorado.

The opening game goal was the second game in a row that Vancouver surrendered the opening goal.

The Canucks would get their first power play of the game when Nick Holden would be called for holding at 7:39 off a rush by Derek Dorsett who would go in on the Avalanche goalie trying to even up the score.

Just four seconds after the power play, Matt Bartkowski would get Vancouver’s tying goal, his 3rd goal of the season, to make it 1-1, at 9:43, on a snap shot, assisted by Alex Burrows (9) and Ben Hutton (13).

Sven Baertschi would be in the sin bin for the second time in the game at 10:32 for high sticking Tyson Barrie; Colorado’s fourth power play of the game. Canucks would kill their fourth penalty of the game but Brandon Sutter would be lost after getting hit in the face with a puck.

Canucks would get some good scoring chances to go up by a goal, to by stymied by the Avalanche goalie.

But persistence would pay off, as Vancouver would finally score. There would be some discussion by the referees, and the Avalanche would put a challenge in,claiming interference, but it was ruled a good goal.

Sven Baertschi, his 10th of the season, assisted by Ben Hutton (14) and Bo Horvat (15) at 16:22, to make it 2-1 Canucks.

After two periods:

  • Team Shots On Net: Colorado-19; Canucks-21; Team Hits: Colorado-15; Canucks-5
  • Team Face-offs: Colorado -23/34; Canucks-11/34; Team Blocked Shots: Canucks8-; Colorado-5
  • Team Takeaways: Colorado-5 ; Canucks-9 ; Team Giveaways: Colorado-8 ; Canucks-4
  • Power Play: Colorado: 0/4;Canucks: 0/1 Penalty Kill: Canucks: 4/4; Colorado: 1/1
  • Canucks Individual Shots: J.Virtanen-3; 5 Canucks with 2 each. Canucks Individual Hits: L.Sbisa-2.
  • Canucks Individual Face-offs: L.Vey: 5/8; B.Sutter: 2/11; H.Sedin: 2/7; B.Horvat: 1/7.
  • Teams Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—Colorado-22; Canucks-27
    • All Strengths—Colorado-33; Canucks-32
  • Canucks Individual Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—A.Burrows, J.Virtanen & L.Vey +5 each; A.Edler, H.Sedin, D.Sedin, C.Tanev-+4 each.
    • All Strengths—H.Sedin +8; D.Sedin +7; J.Virtanen & R.Vrbata- +5 each.

Canucks started the final period without Alex Edler or Brandon Sutter, both injured in the second period.

Vancouver looking to finish the period the way they started it, with the lead, and end their four game losing streak.

Luca Sbisa, would get the puck from Jacob Markstrom, who make a great rush down the ice, setting up Bo Horvat for the 3-1 goal, to go up by two goal over Colorado.

Horvat, his 10th goal of the season, on a wrist shot at 4:30, assisted by Luca Sbisa (5) and Jacob Markstrom (2).

With 8:04 left in the game, shots in the period were even at 5 each but the Avalanche were leading in face-off wins at this point of the game, 31 to 13.

Colorado pulled their goalie Varlamov with 3:38 left to get an extra attacker in an effort to get within a goal of Vancouver.

The ploy would not work for the Avalanche and Vancouver would win the game 3-1.

After three periods:

  • Team Shots On Net: Colorado-30; Canucks-28; Team Hits: Colorado-25; Canucks-8
  • Team Face-offs: Colorado-35/53; Canucks-18/53; Team Blocked Shots: Canucks-13; Colorado-7
  • Team Takeaways: Colorado-7 ; Canucks-9;  Team Giveaways: Colorado-11 ; Canucks-5
  • Power Play: Colorado: 0/4; Canucks: 0/1.   Penalty Kill: Canucks: 4/4 Colorado: 1/1
  • Canucks Individual Shots: B.Hutton, M.Bartkowski, J.Virtanen: 3 each.  Canucks Individual Hits: L.Sbisa: 3.
  • Canucks Individual Face-offs: L.Vey: 6/10; H.Sedin: 6/15; B.Horvat: 3/16; B.Sutter: 2/11
  • Teams Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—Colorado-41; Canucks-41
    • All Strengths—Colorado-52; Canucks-46
  • Canucks Individual Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—J.Virtanen +6; H.Sedin, D.Sedin, A.Burrows, A.Edler: +4 each; L.Vey & C.Tanev: +3 each.
    • All Strengths—H.Sedin +8; D.Sedin +7; J.Virtanen +6; A.Burrows +3

 

 

 

Vancouver Looks To End 4 Game Losing Streak, Score Goals, Against Colorado Tonight

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    FEBRUARY 9, 2016

screenshot-canucks nhl com 2016-02-08 16-35-17

The Vancouver Canucks (20-20-12) hit the road to play the Colorado Avalanche (27-24-4) tonight.

The Canucks enter the game looking to end a 4-game losing streak while the Avalanche are looking to end a three game losing streak.

Jacob Markstrom, who is 5-1-1 in his last 7-game starts, with a 2.08 GAA and .931 Sv%, will start against Colorado.

CANUCKS PREVIOUS GAME

Vancouver could not find a way to win against division rival Calgary Flames, and dealt themselves a serious blow to their playoff chances, as they lost their 4rth consecutive game; including all three games on their brief home stand, as the Flames out battled and out worked the Canucks to win 4-1.

Emerson Etem had the lone Vancouver goal; Linden Vey had an assist; Alex Burrows had a helper; Ryan Miller stopped 26 of 28 shots for a .929 Sv%.

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

  • Only Toronto has fewer wins (19) than Vancouver (20) in the NHL.
  • Canucks have the fewest wins (20) in the Pacific division, and are just 3 points ahead of Calgary and 5 point in front of Edmonton. Calgary has 1 game in hand on Vancouver; Canucks have 2 games in hand on the Oilers.
  • Canuck Point Leaders In 2016:
    • Bo Horvat: 7-6=13 in 14 games played
    • Daniel Sedin: 5-2=7 in 14 games played
    • Chris Tanev: 1-6=7 in 14 games played
    • Linden Vey: 2-6=7 in 14 games played
    • Sven Baertschi: 4-3=7 in 12 games played
  • Power play is 1 for 12 in last 8 games.
  • Penalty kill: 26 for 29 for 89.7 percent in last 12 games.
  • Canucks are averaging 2.31 goals per game. For an 82 game schedule the estimate is Vancouver will finish with 189 goals. The least number of goals ever scored by a Vancouver team in a full season of 82 games are 192 by the 1998-99 Canucks. 
    • Vancouver need to average 2.4 goals per game over their last 30 games for a minimum 193 goals, to avoid 2015-16 being the season for the least number of goals ever scored by a Vancouver team.
  • Bo Horvat has 13 points (7-6-13) in his last 13 games, including 7 points (4-3-7) in his last seven home games. He has the second most points by any player under 21 since the start of the calendar year. Earlier this season, Horvat established a career-high sixgame point streak (6-3-9), spanning from Jan. 4-15.
  • Bo Horvat ranks 14th in the League in faceoffs wins (470), ninth in defensive zone faceoff wins (207), and t-sixth in faceoff wins when Vancouver is ahead (174).
  • Canucks players aged 23 or younger that have appeared in the lineup thus far (Baertschi, Horvat, Hutton, Virtanen, McCann, Gaunce, Shinkaruk, Pedan, Etem and Zalewski) have accounted for 23.1% of points (75), 25.0% of goals (30), 22.0% of assists (45), and 23.5% of shots (354) for the team this season.
  • 10 of 13 players that have made their Canucks debut this season have tallied at least a point
  • According to Elias Sports, with their win on Jan. 11 vs FLA, the Canucks became the first NHL team to end streaks of two opponents, each streak of 9+ games, before Feb. 1 of a season

 

COL0RADO AVALANCHE NOTES

  • This is the finale of a four-game home stand for Colorado, which  has gone 0-2-1 in the first three games of the home stand, allowing an average of more than 40 shots per game.
  • Colorado will play six of its next seven on the road after tonight.
  • Colorado leads all NHL teams with 944 blocked shots, over 100 more than the next closest team (Calgary 842). Francois Beauchemin leads all NHL players with 173 blocked shots, just 21 shy of his career high (194) set with Anaheim in 2011-12.
  • Jarome Iginla appeared in his 1,447th career game on Saturday, passing Tim Horton (1,446) for sole possession of 23rd place on the NHL’s all-time games played list. Iggy scored his 600th career goal on Jan. 4 vs. Los Angeles, making him the 19th player in NHL history to reach that milestone. He potted his 602nd goal on Jan. 18 in Winnipeg, passing Jari Kurri for 18th place on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring list. Iginla’s 602nd goal was his 96th game winner, tying Mats Sundin for ninth place all-time.
  • The Avs have pulled their goaltender when trailing in the third period and scored on six different occasions this season. The last two, both by Nathan MacKinnon and both against the Blues, tied the game and led to an Avalanche victory. The Avs have actually scored seven times with the goalie pulled this year but one of those was on a delayed penalty (Jan. 18 at Winnipeg).

 

PACIFIC DIVISION STANDINGS

FireShot Screen Capture #299 - '2015-2016 Division Standings - Vancouver Canucks - Standings' - canucks_nhl_com_club_standings_htm

VANCOUVER CANUCKS ADVANCED STATISTICS

FEBRUARY 1, 2016  TO  FEBRUARY 5, 2016

EVEN STRENGTH 5V5

ALL TEAM STRENGTHS

CANUCKS PLAYER STATS

screenshot-canucks nhl com 2016-02-08 16-44-00

AVALANCHE PLAYER STATS

screenshot-avalanche nhl com 2016-02-08 18-19-28STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS

 

Calgary Dominate Canucks In 4-1 Win Burying The Nail Deeper In Vancouver’s Playoff Hopes

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    FEBRUARY 6, 2016

The Vancouver Canucks (20-20-12) hosted division opponent Calgary Flames (23-25-3) tonight at Rogers Place, in a key divisional game; the final game of a three game home stand.

Calgary visited Vancouver for their second game in consecutive nights after losing 2-1 at home to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.

Vancouver was looking for a better finish against Calgary tonight and end their 3 game losing streak, and salvage a victory on their three game home stand.

Coach Willie Desjardins told reporters after the  morning skate, that the Canucks, “have to find ways to win games or we will not stay in the playoff hunt.”

Desjardins added it was time for his players “to really focus on our game”, and not the games of the teams ahead of them or behind them, in their division.

So, how would they do?

Vancouver could not find a way to win, and dealt themselves a serious blow to their playoff chances, as they lost their 4rth consecutive game; including all three games on their brief home stand, as the Calgary Flames out battled and out worked the Canucks to win 4-1.

Emerson Etem had the lone Vancouver goal; Linden Vey had an assist; Alex Burrows had a helper; Ryan Miller stopped 26 of 28 shots for a .929 Sv%.

The first 7:38 of the game had a good pace to it, as their was only been two whistles, with 5:40 between them,and both teams created scoring chances and shots on net, with Calgary having a 5 to 2 advantage.

The Flames would draw a penalty in the Canuck end, with a scoring attempt, to get the first power play of the game. Alex Edler for tripping David Jones at 10:21.

Brandon Sutter got a good scoring attempt shorthanded but was unable to finish the play to put Vancouver up by a goal. Canucks would be successful in killing the penalty.

With 6:55 left in the opening period Calgary was out shooting Vancouver 6-4; out hitting the Canucks 7-3 and leading on face-off wins, 4-2.

With 4:34 left in the period, Luca Sbisa of the Canucks and Micheal Ferland of Calgary would draw offsetting fighting majors.

The Flames were winning all the key battles in the period, as it was nearing an end. Vancouver was trying but Calgary continued to dominate shots, face-offs and the physical side of the game. Canucks were kept wide to the outside, along the boards for the most part, unable to get in front of Hiller.

Game scoreless after the opening period.

After one period:

  • Team Shots On Net: Calgary-7; Canucks-5;  Team Hits: Flames-9; Canucks-6
  • Team Face-offs: Flames-7/13; Canucks-6/13;  Team Blocked Shots: Canucks-5; Flames-3
  • Team Takeaways: Flames-1; Canucks-0;  Team Giveaways: Flames-2; Canucks-1
  • Power Play: Flames:0/1;  Penalty Kill: Canucks: 1/1
  • Individual Shots: 5 Canucks with 1 shot each;   Individual Hits: D. Dorsett: 2 hits
  • Individual Face-offs: H. Sedin: 3/5; B.Horvat: 2/5; B. Sutter: 1/2
  • Teams Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—>Flames-13; Canucks-12
    • All Strengths—>Flames-15; Canucks-13
  • Canucks Individual Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—>A.Edler +3; A.Burrows –1; B.Hutton -1
    • All Strengths—>A.Edler +3; B.Sutter +3; J.Virtanen +2

The second period started with more of the same of the first period, with Calgary having an edge on the play over Vancouver.

Approaching the first five minutes, Canucks were just out shooting Calgary 5-4, but Calgary continued to out hit, and dominate the face-off circle, and take their game to the Canucks.

And it would pay off.

The Flames would score the opening goal of the game to take a 1-0 lead. Michael Frolik, his 9th of the season, on a tip-in, assisted by TJ Brodie (23) and Mikael Backlund (18), at 6:25.

After the Calgary goal, Vancouver made an more aggressive effort to get puck action in front of the Calgary net,unlike the opening period, and were succeeding, but the Flames did a great job of boxing out the front of the net and the middle of the slot, frustrating the Canucks as Hiller and the Flames were able to withstand Vancouver swarming the net.

At 15:35 Sam Bennett of the Flames would receive a penalty for slashing Bo Horvat, putting the Canucks on their first power play of the game. Canucks had two shots on the power play but were unable to score.

The middle frame ended with Calgary up in the score, 1-0.

After two periods:

  • Team Shots On Net: Canucks-23; Flames-16;  Team Hits: Flames-14; Canucks-11
  • Team Face-offs: Flames: 14/23; Canucks: 9/23;  Team Blocked Shots: Canucks-9; Flames-8
  • Team Takeaways: Flames-2; Canucks-0;   Team Giveaways: Flames-7; Canucks-2
  • Power Play: Flames-0/1; Canucks-0/1;    Penalty Kill: Flames-1/1; Canucks-1/1
  • Individual Shots: J.Hansen & E.Etem-3 each;   Individual Hits: D.Dorsett-3; B.Sutter-2
  • Individual Face-offs: H.Sedin: 5/10; B.Horvat: 2/6; B.Sutter: 2/5
  • Teams Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—> Canucks-39; Flames-27
    • All Strengths—> Canucks-44; Flames-30
  • Canucks Individual Corsi For:
    • EV 5v5—> D.Hamhuis +10; H.Sedin +6; J.Virtanen +6; B.Sutter, D.Sedin, J.Hansen: +5 each
    • All Strengths—> B.Sutter +10; D.Hamhuis, H.Sedin, D. Sedin; A.Edler: +9 each

Vancouver entered the final period of the game with a poor record trailing after two periods, and needed to finish around the Calgary net, to pull out a win to keep pace with Arizona, Anaheim and San Jose.

The Canucks needed to dig down deep and find a way to win and that was not evident the  last three previous games.

Calgary made it three periods in a row that they took the play to the Canucks off the period face-off, using their speed to get some offensive zone time and generate some shots on Ryan Miller and around the Canucks net, to give themselves an early two goal lead.

As the Canucks made it to the eight minute mark, Calgary had the edge in shots on net 5-2, while Vancouver had a number of chances that they could not get on net.

Just under 12 minutes left, Calgary scored a goal but it was ruled that their was a glove pass on the play and it was disallowed.

Henrik Sedin was due for a goal, as he came into the game, scoreless in his last 16 games played.

At 10:01, Radim Vrbata of Vancouver received a penalty for hooking Ladislav Smid, putting the Flames on the power play with a great chance to go up by two goals, with the man advantage. Vancouver would kill the penalty giving themselves a chance to work at tying the game.

Calgary was out shooting Vancouver with 6:41 left, being aggressive to keep Vancouver to the outside and keep them from penetrating in front of the net. Very similar to the Columbus and Nashville games.

With less than five minutes left in the game, the Flames would add their second goal of the game when Sean Monahan would score, giving the Canucks a tough set back to overcome to force overtime, with Calgary now leading 2-0.

Monahan, his 16th of the season, on a wrist shot, assisted by Jiri Hudler (21) and Sam Bennett(10) at 15:07.

Soon after getting the two goal lead, Calgary would almost make it 3-0, but the puck would not cross the goal line, and Alex Edler would come to the rescue.

Vancouver would pull Miller for the extra attacker in an effort to make a comeback, and get within a goal, but the Flames would score an empty net goal to disappoint Canuck fans.

Mikael Backland, his 6th, on a wrist shot, at 17:45, unassisted.

Canuck’s Emerson Etem would break Hiller’s shutout, pulling the Canucks within two goals at 3-1 at 18:26.

Etem, his 1rst goal of the season, assisted by Linden Vey (6) and Alex Burrows (8).

With the Canuck net empty a second time for an extra attacker, the Flames would score another empty net goal, at 19:24.

Sam Bennett, his 14th goal, on a wrist shot, assisted by Michael Frolik (11) and TJ Brodie (24).

Canucks on the losing end by a score of 4-1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canucks Lack Of Scoring And Inability To Rally Defensively Hamper Playoff Chances

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    FEBRUARY 5, 2016

As the Canucks move into the last 31 games of the season, a couple of things become fact after much speculation as the season has progressed.

Vancouver has seen a drop in even strength goals, power play goals, power play opportunities; and the increased inability to compensate defensively for the lack of scoring, like the Anaheim Ducks have been able to do this season.

The Canucks goals against has been consistent though, up to this point of this season.

There is an old saying that the best defense is a good offense:

The adage is used to note that success can hinge on an effective offense that keeps the puck on the other team’s side of the field, thus not only creating scoring opportunities but preventing the opposing team from scoring.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

You don’t need to look at Canuck advanced statistics to get the idea that Vancouver has been sub-par offensively but it really does make it crystal clear in so many ways, besides being remarkably depressing. So I will use regular stats that most of us are familiar with.

CANUCKS POWER PLAY SCORING AND OPPORTUNITIES OVER FIRST 50 GAMES

  • Games #1 to #25:
    • Vancouver was 18 for 91, for 19.8 percent. Team Record: 9-9-7; 68 GF & 68 GA.
    • PP goals accounted for 26.5 percent of all goals scored.
  • Games #26 to #50:
    • Vancouver was 8 for 64, for 12.5 percent. Team Record: 11-10-4; 50 GF & 69 GA.
    • PP goals accounted for 16 percent of all goals scored.
  • Comparison/Contrast Between First 25 Games and Second 25 Games:
    • 10 less man advantage goals scored and 27 less man advantage opportunities.
  • Conclusion:
    • Canucks need to draw more penalties like they were the first two months of the season and improve their capitalization of their man advantage opportunities when they do so. It’s clear that power play goals contribute immensely to to the percentage of all goals scored, and Vancouver are not scoring enough as it is at even strength to compensate for any loss of goals on the power play.

CANUCKS EVEN STRENGTH SCORING OVER FIRST 50 GAMES

  • Games #1 to #25:
    • Vancouver had 48 even strength goals. Team Record: 9-9-7; 68 GF & 68 GA.
    • EVS goals accounted for 70.6 percent of all goals scored.
  • Games #26 to #50:
    • Vancouver had 41 even strength goals. Team Record: 11-10-4; 50 GF & 69 GA.
    • EVS goals accounted for 82 percent of all goals scored.
  • Comparison/Contrast Between First 25 Games and Second 25 Games:
    • 7 less man even strength goals scored and 18 less goals scored overall.
  • Conclusion:
    • While Vancouver was getting scored on at the same rate, the Canucks total goal production dropped off by 26.5 percent and their EVS goals dropped by 14.6 percent.
    • Coupled with 10 less man advantage goals scored and 27 less man advantage opportunities, as illustrated above, the Canucks scoring is being severely impacted by the lack of burying the puck in the net, especially on the power play.

CANUCKS GOALS AGAINST OVER FIRST 50 GAMES

  • Games #1 to #25:
    • Vancouver had 68 goals against. Team Record: 9-9-7.
    • Team GAA of 2.72. Team Sv% of .923.
    • Total shots against: 737
  • Games #26 to #50:
    • Vancouver had 69 goals against. Team Record: 11-10-4.
    • Team GAA of 2.76. Team Sv% of .824
    • Total shots against: 837
  • Comparison/Contrast Between First 25 Games and Second 25 Games:
    • +1 goal against and a -.099 drop in Sv%.
    • +100 shots against.
  • Conclusion:
    • Along with the appearance of, or fact of, being unable to reduce goals against and shots against, sufficiently to compensate for the lack of goal production, this has left the Canucks with a predicament.

Vancouver are running out of games to execute a timely turnaround that will result in a playoff appearance at the end of this season.

Canucks need to improve even strength goal production; get back to drawing penalties and capitalizing on them as they did early in the season; reduce their goals against; reduce their shots against; tighten up defensively as a team until the goals start to come.

On a positive note, Vancouver’s penalty killing has improved. After the initial 25 games played, they were 61 for 79 for 77.2 percent.

The next 25 games they were 67 for 80 for 83.8 percent.

Now it’s just a matter of working on the rest of the things, and the Canucks Stanley Cup Parade will be in Vancouver quicker than we might think.

 

Canucks Lose To Columbus In Shoot Out, Drop Further Back In Playoff Battle

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CANUCKS BANTER     By Andrew Chernoff    FEBRUARY 5, 2016

CANUCKS LET IMPORTANT POINT SLIP AWAY


The Vancouver Canucks (20-19-12) hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets (20-28-5) last night at Rogers Place, in-game two of a three game home stand.

Columbus visited Vancouver in the second of a three game Western Canada road trip that started Tuesday night against Edmonton, with a 5-1 loss, and finishes tonight against Calgary.

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 4: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save on Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena February 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 4: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save on Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena February 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Linden Vey scored his 2nd goal of the season (2-3=5 in last 8 games played);  Bo Horvat had an assist (7-6=13 in last 12 games played); Sven Baertschi picked up a helper (4-3=7 in last 11 games played); and Ryan Miller stopped 27 of 28 shots for a .964 Sv%., but it was not enough as the Canucks ended the game on the short end of the score, losing 2-1 to Columbus in a shoot out; their second straight loss on their current 3-game home stand.

Miller is now 1-3-2 in his last 6 game starts, with a 2.27 GAA, and .934 Sv%. Last 8 game starts at home, he is 4-3-1 with a 2.01 GAA, and .930 Sv%.

The Blue Jackets took the game to the Canucks from the opening face-off, getting the first shots of the game and getting scoring chances on Miller.Columbus outhitting Canucks 6-1, out shooting Vancouver 2-0 after five minutes played.

Canucks were getting shots, but missing the net as the period continued but with 12:18 left, Canucks were out shot 3-1; out hit, 6-1, losing face-offs 3-1;had 2 giveaways; 3 blocked shots.

Vancouver got their first break of the game when the first power play of the game went to the Canucks as Cam Atkinson hooked Ben Hutton at 7:42.

Canucks would score on power play as Linden Vey, his 2nd goal of the season from Sven Baertschi (9) and Bo Horvat (14) at 9:05, put Vancouver up 1-0.

The rest of the period saw the Canucks take their game to the Blue Jackets as they eventually took the lead on shots, and started to be competitive in the face-off circle.

The Canucks would hold the lead after the opening period, 1-0.

After one period:

  • Team Shots On Net: 10-9 Canucks; Team Hits: 13-2 Columbus; Team Face-offs: 8-6 Columbus
  • Team Blocked Shots: 5-3 Canucks; Team Takeaways: 0-0; Team Giveaways: 4-1 Canucks
  • Power Play: 1 for 1 Canucks; Penalty Kill: 0 for 1 Columbus; Individual Shots: Edler, Hutton, Sutter, Vey: 2 shots each
  • Individual Hits: Edler,Vrbata: 1 hit each; Individual Face-offs: Horvat, 2 for 4; H.Sedin, 2 for 6.
  • Teams Corsi For: EV 5v5—> 18 Columbus; 16 Canucks; Teams Corsi For: All Strengths—> 18 Columbus; 17 Canucks
  • Individual Corsi For: EV 5v5—> Sbisa +5; Hutton +4; Sutter & D.Sedin +2 each; Individual Corsi For: All Strengths—> Sbisa +5; Hutton +5; Sutter & D.Sedin +2 each.

In the middle frame, the Canucks received their first penalty of the game on a sloppy change at 1:44 for too many men on the ice. Sven Baertschi would serve the bench minor.

The Canucks killed the penalty but soon after, Columbus got a great scoring opportunity and the Blue Jackets drew a Canuck penalty on the play.

Sven Baertschi went off at 4:16 for holding Boone Jenner. Vancouver would kill off the shorthand situation for a perfect 2 for 2 on the penalty kill.

The Canucks spent the majority of the opening minutes of the second period shorthanded and it allowed Columbus to get the momentum in the game.

Blue Jackets continued to dominate the Canucks on hits and face-off wins, and eventually started to out shoot Vancouver as they neared the halfway point of the middle frame.

With under five minutes left in the period, the Blue Jackets were dominating the Canucks in their end, when the Canucks would break out and spend some time in the Columbus zone trying to go up by two goals in the game. Both teams would exchange time on the offense but shots were few and the period ended without any goals.

Canucks still leading after two period, 1-0.

After two periods:

  • Team Shots On Net: 7-7; Team Hits: 22-7 Columbus; Team Face-offs: 14-12 Canucks
  • Team Blocked Shots: 9-8 Canucks; Team Takeaways: 3-1 Canucks; Team Giveaways: 8-2 Canucks
  • Power Play: 1 for 1 Canucks; Penalty Kill: 2 for 2 Canucks; 0 for 1 Columbus
  • Individual Shots: Vey and Edler, 4 shots each; Individual Hits: Edler, 3 hits; Biega, 2 hits
  • Individual Face-offs: Sutter, 4 for 4; Horvat, 5 for 7; Vey, 2 for 5; H.Sedin, 2 for 9.
  • Teams Corsi For: EV 5v5—>Columbus-31; Canucks-28; Teams Corsi For: All Strengths—>Columbus-34; Canucks-30
  • Individual Corsi For: EV 5v5—>Sbisa +8; Hutton +6; Burrows & Etem, +3 each; Individual Corsi For: All Strengths—>Sbisa +7; Hutton +6; Etem & Vey, +3 each

The Canucks came out in the last period playing sloppy including being caught on another sloppy change that resulted in a Columbus scoring opportunity.

Jared McCann would answer that with a great scoring opportunity of his own but was stopped cold by the Blue Jackets goaltender.

Vancouver would get another power play opportunity when Chris Tanev was  high sticked by Rene Bourque at 6:06. Canucks power play had great scoring opportunities and great puck movement, even hitting a goalpost, but were unable to bury the puck with the man advantage.

After killing off a penalty, the Blue Jackets received a power play of their own when Jared McCann would go off for hooking Brandon Dubinsky at 8:35.

Columbus would waste little time taking advantage of their third power play of the game, when Scott Hartnell would score to even up the game at 1-1, 31 some 31-seconds later.

Hartnell, his 18th goal of the season, on a wrist shot, assisted by Cam Atkinson (16) and Ryan Murray (13) at 9:06.

Canucks continued to press for the another goal but kept wasting their opportunities.

Going into the last five minutes of the third period, it was anybody’s game.

Vancouver dominated the final five minutes of the game, with the Blue Jacket goalie coming up with save after save, as the Canucks kept pressing.

The game would end tied at 1-1 in regulation play and go to overtime.

Canucks were 3-9 in the season going into overtime, and needed the extra point to keep pace with Anaheim and Arizona.

Columbus player William Karlsson would get a penalty for interference at 2:26 and the Canucks went on a 4 on 3 power play.

The Canucks power play could not score and Ryan Miller would end up making a great save to send the game to a shoot out to decide the game winner.

Columbus won the game 2-1 in the shoot out.

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 4: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets stops Sven Baertschi #47 of the Vancouver Canucks on a shootout attempt during their NHL game at Rogers Arena February 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Columbus won 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 4: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets stops Sven Baertschi #47 of the Vancouver Canucks on a shootout attempt during their NHL game at Rogers Arena February 4, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Columbus won 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Vancouver sits in 5th place in the Pacific division, with 52 points and are 3 points behind Anaheim and 2 points behind Arizona, in 3rd and 4rth respectively; and 6 points behind 2nd place San Jose.

CANUCKS GAME NOTES

  • Vancouver ended their consecutive streak at home of not winning the face-off battle against their opponent, at 16 games, as they won 31 of 56 face-offs against Columbus tonight.
  • Canucks ended their consecutive games streak without a power play goal at 6 games tonight.
  • Vancouver ended their consecutive streak at home of opponents scoring the opening goal at 8 games, with the Linden Vey goal tonight.

GAME REVIEW

CORSI STATS

CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS

WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS

STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS