Canucks vs Blue Jackets, Mar 26/13

Coming off an impressive 3-0-0 road trip, the Canucks returned home to face the Blue Jackets. Schneider was given his fifth consecutive start, sort of surprising, seeing as he played both back to back games on the road.

With Weise added to the already overwhelming injury list, Higgins stepped up to first line with the Sedins. The speed line of Raymond, Schroeder and Hansen remained intact, after being the source of the Canucks scoring the past 3 games. Ballard was still manning the left wing on the third line, with Ebbett and Burrows. Gordon and Sestito played with Lappiere on the fourth.

Edler, fresh off his 2 game suspension, played with Bieksa on the first D line, while Garrison and Hamhuis manned the second line. Alberts and Tanev brought up the third.

I'm not going to lie, the first period was rather... lopsided. No goals, but the Canucks out shot the Jackets 13-2. Quite the change from previous matches between these teams over the last few years. Most importantly: All of the Canucks lines were in on the domination. The 4th line looked especially on the ball, cycling the puck like their lives depended on it. Close call for Schneider, who got caught trying to handle the puck behind his net. Trapped on both sides, he said 'eh, screw it' and kicked the puck to Mason Raymond. Anyways, I already spoiled it for you. End of the first, 0-0.

Good grief. The Canucks continued to dominate every single shift, and held the Jackets to just a few shots. At about the midway mark of the second the shots were 21-5 in favor of, you guess it, Vancouver. And that\s how period number 2 ended. Yeah, i'm not kidding.

Third period: Go! Just kidding. On an early Canucks powerplay, Garrison's shot from the point hit Hansen, and turned him into a pile of mush. On the plus side, Garrison has found his point shot groove, and is just unleashing hell with his slapper. Hansen returned without missing a shift, but i'm guessing he'll need to have his left cheek replaced. Late in the third, still 0-0, Tanev's clearing attempt hit the linesman and stayed in. The puck rounded the net, and Foligno's shot was only stopped by a Hamhuis kick save. End of regulation, no goals. I cannot wait until the Jackets are an Eastern team.

A few back and forth chances in the OT period, couple of almost lucky bounces. Hansen burst past the defense on a breakaway with 29 seconds left, but was denied. To a shootout we went.

Raymond - Pulled wide, attempted a shot 5 hole. No goal.
Anisimov - Stick handled in, tried backhand. Saved
Schroeder - Fake shot, goes for 5 hole.  No goal
Johansen - Pulled wide, tried to get Schneider moving cross crease. Saved
Lappiere - In slow, fake shot, backhand and in
Calvert - Tried too many dekes, lost it in front of Schneider.

Tidbits:

 - PP: 0/3
 - PK: 2/2

Final score says it all in terms of special teams. Gonna say it: Wish I didn't watch this game.

Next game is Thursday against the Avalanche at 7.