Coming off 2 of the worst game of the season, Vancouver was looking for a little vengeance against the Oilers, who burned them 4-0 in their last meeting.
Just a few lineup changes tonight, as Roy made his Canucks debut, and Kassian returned from the Wolves. Burrows stuck with the Sedins, while newcomer Derek Roy centred between Higgins and Hansen. Jensen and Kassian played with Lapierre on the 3rd, while Sestito, Ebbett and Pinizzotto brought up the 4th. Barker replaced Alberts on the 4th line, playing with Tanev.
Thankfully, Vancouver didn't allow a goal in the first 16 seconds. In fact, they even had pressure and a forecheck early on, and managed something called a shot. Vancouver was forced to face a Lapierre interference call early on, but handled it nicely. By the 7 minute mark, Taylor Hall hadn't even registered a goal, never mind a hat trick. With 5 and a bit left in the period, the Canucks were given a 5 on 3 powerplay. After moving the puck around a bit, and losing it once or twice, Garrison unleashed his slapper. It hit Petri right in the leg, leaving him to limp around as the Canucks cycled the puck. It quickly found it's way to Bieksa, whose shot went in past a Daniel Sedin screen. Other than a couple of insane scrums in front of the Oilers net, but nothing else went in. 1-0 Canucks, end of the 1st.
Vancouver did a great job of not allowing Edmonton to move in on Schneider, early in the second. By the halfway point of the second, the Canucks had only allowed Edmonton to take 11 shots in the entire game, while managing 19 of their own. All 4 lines continued to push, but Khabibulin stood tall. Pavel Bure, who was in attendance, received a standing ovation during the TV timeout. No relation to the game or anything, just thought you'd like to know. Vancouver finally broke through with 5 and a half left in the seconds. Daniel crossed the blueline and dished to Henrik behind the net, who gave it back to Daniel at the left faceoff circle. Daniel then passed it to, guess who, Henrik, at the side of the net. Henrik somehow didn't pass the puck, and snapped it passed a sprawling Khabibulin. Roy's line presented the Oilers with quite a final few minutes, but again couldn't put the puck in the net. Through 40 minutes, 2-0 Canucks.
More of the same in the third, as the Canucks just dominated puck play. at the 7 minute mark, Hansen forced and turnover and shot the puck up to Roy. Roy took it into the Oilers zone, out waited the defenseman, and shot the puck to Higgins who tipped it past Khabibulin. Minutes later, a great Sedin passing play resulted in Daniel hitting the crossbar, but no goal. 7 and a half left in the third, Tanev moves towards the net. Tanev was hooked, then spun around before being stripped of the puck. John Shorthouse was so surprised at the non call, that he just stopped talking all together. With just seconds remaining, Garrison took a hit from Brown awkwardly in his own zone, and limped to the bench. In that same play, Lapierre took the puck down the wing and threw it on net. Kassian picked up the rebound, and snapped it home with 3 seconds left. Game over, 4-0 Vancouver.
Tidbits:
- PP: 1/5 Still all over the place, but any time the Canucks PP capitalizes in a good, and welcome one.
- PK: 4/4 Great job clearing the puck out of the zone. Saw Henrik and Daniel in the latter halves of the penalties, for whatever reason.
- Roy: Liked his speed. Played well with Higgins and Hansen, saw PK time.
- Kassian: Eager to play after his injuries/demotion. Played fast and hard, plenty of shots.
- Bieksa: 200th career point on the opening goal.
- Sedins: Impressed with their play this game, quite a pick up from the last 15 games. If they stay like this, Vancouver might have a chance of making it past round 1 in the playoffs.
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