Hansen returned tonight from his one game suspension, so Volpatti was a healthy scratch. He played on a line with Higgins and Kesler, and the only other change was that Kassian started on the 4th line with Weise and Lappiere. Historically, the games between the Predators and Canucks in Nashville have always been close, and usually required some amazing goaltending,
There wasn't a goal against on the first shift of this game, but it was no better than last night. It was a contender for one of Vancouver's slowest starts this season, and that's saying a lot. Only some sharp saves by Luongo and some smart defense saved this from being a devastating loss. Midway through the first, Hansen split the defense on a breakaway, but was hauled down. The defenceman touched the puck first, so no call. Soon after, Vancouver got their first powerplay. It was easily the worst that the powerplay unit has played since Kesler got back, and looked sloppy. No shots on the man advantage, and Henrik took a holding call a few minutes later, where Nashville got their best chance of the period. Luongo was forced to make a goal line stand, and Patric Hornqvist kept whacking at what he thought was a loose puck. Only a superman -like shove from Bieksa saved a goal. The 1st ended in a 0-0 tie, with the shots 13-3 for Nashville. Vancouver was lucky to get out of the period tied.
The Canucks seemed to pull together in the 2nd, and the chances evened out. Booth's line generated a few good chances early in the period, and Kesler's line held the puck in for almost an entire shift. Vancouver's 2nd powerplay was a lot better, and managed a few shots. Bieksa took a funny hit from Hal Gill, and skated to the bench rather slowly. It didn't look that hard, but it was one where his knees might've knocked together. Regardless, he went to the dressing room and didn't return in the 2nd. Vancouver led the shots in the period 9-5, but nothing came off those chances and the 2nd period ended in a scoreless tie.
More of the same in the third, but Vancouver's chances slowly built up. Kassian and the Sedins played together for a few shifts, and showed some great chemistry again. With just under 11 minutes left in the third, an unlikely hero gave the Canucks the lead. That's right, you guessed it, Dale Weise. Lappiere rounded the net after recovering a shot from Hamhuis, and threw it at Pekka Rinne. Weise pounced on the rebound and broke the scoreless tie. The last 10 was almost constant pressure from Nashville, who threw everything they had at Luongo. Burrows took a slashing penalty with just over 2 minutes left to go, but a stellar Vancouver PK, combined with a incredible performance from Luongo, kept the puck out of the net. Game over, 1-0 Vancouver.
Vancouver actually ended up leading the shots department at the end of the game 24-34, compared to 13-3 for Nashville after the first. They didn't come out guns blazing, but they didn't need to. After the first, it was just smart defensive hockey that led to a victory. But please don't forget Luongo's incredible performance in the 1st, it was probably the only reason they won.
Tidbits:
- Luongo: Doesn't get rusty on the bench, was sharp from the puck drop
- Bieksa: Didn't return to the game. Only update is that it's a "lower body injury."
- Kesler: 18:13 TOI, no shots, no points, 45% in the faceoff circle. The whole game was a defensive battle, so I didn't expect him to be great, but I was a little disappointed in his performance. Seemed a little slow, liker his head wasn't in the game.
- Booth: 12:30 TOI, couple of shots, couple of hits. Been playing with a solid forecheck and good speed.
- PK: 2/2, did a great job of making sure the puck stayed out of the zone. Killed one off in the final 2 minutes and saved the game.
- PP: 0/2. Is really reliant on Kesler, so when he doesn't play well the powerplay suffers. 1st one of the night could barely gain the zone. 2nd was slightly improved but still ugly.
Next game is Sunday against Detroit at 2.
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