With Hansen suspended, and the defenses' terrible play in Chicago, lineup changes were needed. Burrows stayed with the Sedins, while Kassian was moved up to play with Higgins and Kesler. Booth was promoted to the 3rd with Schroeder and Raymond, and Volpatti was brought out from the press box to play with Lappiere and Weise. Edler finally got to move back to the left side where he plays best, as Tanev was promoted to play with him. The tried and true pair of Bieksa and Hamhuis got to play together again, and Garrison was paired with Ballard. Playing with Ballard, Garrison will be forced to play smarter hockey and read the play to cover for Ballard's less than stellar play. Schneider started tonight. an he deserved it after his incredible play against Chicago.
Previously, Vancouver has been known for scoring the first goal and running away with the game. This year, it seems to be all about falling behind early. Early, as in 35 seconds into the 1st period. After holding Vancouver in their own zone from the opening faceoff, Jamie Benn pulled past both Hamhuis and Bieksa to the side of the net, and he sniped it in from an odd angle. From there, the Canucks were on their heels for another 5 minutes, until Reilly Smith (the hero of the last Vancouver-Dallas game) took an interference penalty on Bieksa. After cycling the puck for 30 seconds, a brilliant Sedin passing play led to Burrows hitting the crossbar. Kesler recovered the rebound and shot it up to Edler at the point, whose wrist shot snuck past a screened Nilstorp. The credit for the goal initially went to Edler, but Burrows tipped it slightly and he was later given the goal. Past that, Vancouver evened up the chances and got the majority of the shots. The first ended in a tie, and with the shots 8-7 in favor of Dallas.
Early in the 2nd, Booth had a few chances to net his first, but instead Dallas pulled ahead. After breaking up the play in their own zone, Dallas moved into Vancouver's territory. A failed pass bounced to Michael Ryder, who backhanded it past Schneider from the faceoff circle. Moments later, the Stars had a 2 on 0, but Brenden Dillon couldn't tap the puck over a sprawling Schneider. Seeing potential in Booth, AV played the Schroeder line again. This time, Booth drew a penalty on Aaron Rome, as Rome flipped Booth over and onto the ice. Burrows was called for interference on the powerplay, but Bieksa tied the game up on the 4 on 4. After taking a pass from Hamhuis, Bieksa cut past the sprawling defender and backhanded the puck 5 hole on Nilstorp.
Kassian, after playing terrible in the first, was demoted to the fourth. Soon after, he picked a fight with Roussel. Roussel got a few shots in the start, but Kassian got the sweater over his head and threw enough lefts to force the referee's to intervene. Schneider saved the chance of the game, as Dillon tried to pull left then right, right in front of the net, but Schneider kept his left leg stiff to stop a sure goal. Words don't do it justice, here's the video. With just a few minutes left in the 2nd, Burrows cut past Rome on the right wing and almost shoveled the puck past Nilstorp. That'd do it for period 2, tied at 2.
Garrison gave the Canucks their first lead of the night just 2 and a half minutes into period #3. After having his first shot blocked, Garrison fired a slap shot from the point that might've been deflected by Higgins, but credit was given to Garrison. Hamhuis blocked a shot with his hand immediately after the goal, and had to ice it between shifts. A minute and 46 seconds after Garrisons goal, Henrik Sedin made it 4-2 on a beautiful give and go. Henrik pulled down the right wing and shot a pass cross wing to Burrows, who pulled Nilstorp down and out before passing back to a wide open Henrik. Henrik had a wide open net and even Dale Weise couldn't of missed that one.
What's this? The Canucks have a 2 goal lead? Cue a terrible defensive decision. After freeing the puck up behind his net, Kesler decided to carry the puck in front of his net and bobble it. Morrow was on it and tucked it past a surprised Schneider. 4-3 Canucks, 14 minutes left. Skip to 3 and a half minutes left, Canucks on the PK. Morrow passed it across the net to an open Benn, with Schneider out of position. Sure goal, right? NOPE. Weise and Burrows both dove stick first and knocked the puck out of play. Booth got another chance for his first of the year, as he pulled away on a partial breakaway. He was hooked and drew another penalty, as Dallas saw first hand the speed of David Booth. That powerplay would take the game right to the end, and Vancouver was content to just move the puck around and keep Dallas in their own zone. Game over, Canucks snap their 3 game losing skid.
Tidbits:
- Sedins: At least 1 Sedin in on last 8 of 11 Canucks goals. They've gotten their game back. (Credit to Jeff Patterson for the find)
- Booth: 12:09 ice time, -1, 3 shots, drew 2 penalties. Looked great, had no problem getting to full speed. Could be back at his peak by the end of the road trip. Expect him to be on a line with Kesler within 2 games.
- Kassian: Demoted to 4th line in 2nd, had multiple giveaways but still finds his way back to 2nd line every time.
- Kesler: 17:38 ice time, 2 assists, -1. On the ice for 3 goals against, big part of 2 turnovers that led to goals. Not the Selke winner we knew from 2 years ago.
- Bieksa: 5 goals now. Only 6 last year, career high of 12.
- Tanev: Good part of the PK in recent games, his good play this season has allowed him to be moved up to Edler's line. His stay at home mentality will allow Edler to jump up on the rush.
- Defense: A good shuffle seemed to be what the defense lines needed, as they only allowed a few odd man rushes this game and a half breakaway. Edler looked comfortable on the left side, Garrison looked like he had a tough time adjusting to playing with the NHL equivalent of a child loaded up with candy.
- PK: 5/5, no words necessary.
- PP: 1/5, but no complaints here. Has been great at controlling the puck, no troubles moving into the zone. Give it time and it'll be #1 again, is already #10.
I think we can expect any 2 of Booth, Higgins and Hansen to play with Kesler next game. Speaking of which, next game is tomorrow night against Nashville at 5. Seeing as it's back to back games, Luongo will start tomorrow. See ya then.
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