Canucks in OCTOBER
W 6-1 @ CGY - The Canucks blew the doors off the saddledome to spoil Calgary's home opener, getting a hat trick from Radim Vrbata and two goals from Joffrey Lupul. Markstrom made 26 saves for the win, while Dubnyk looked shell shocked in his first regular season action with the Flames after signing that massive contract. The Sedins looked great on the top line with Vrbata, Danny had 2 assists and Hank a goal and 2 assists. Mark Letestu had two assists in his Canucks debut. Kris Russell was +2 with three blocks and a takeaway against his former team.
W 5-1 vs CGY - In their home opener Vancouver makes another statement, scoring five more goals on Dubnyk. Lupul scored a his third of the young season on a powerplay early, and Richardson, Higgins, Bonino and Weber all scored as well. Justin Williams had three helpers on the night and Jacob Markstrom made 35 saves to earn his second straight win.
W 2-1 @ ANA - Justin Williams' first of the year tied it after William Karlsson opened the scoring for Anaheim. Daniel Sedin scored the winner in the third. Markstrom had an amazing game, making 40 saves for the victory.
L 3-2 @ LAK - Thomas Greiss made 30 saves in his Canucks debut but Vancouver came up short in the loss. Vrbata got his fourth goal of the season and Kris Russell also scored for the Canucks, while former Canuck Jannik Hansen picked up an assist and the Kings' other big offseason acquisition, Marcus Kruger, picked up his first goal of the year. Russell sustained a rib injury late in the game and will be day to day going forward
W 2-1 vs STL - Ryan Stanton draws into the lineup for his first game action of the year after Russell went down last game. Nick Holden moves up to the second pairing. All the scoring happened in the middle frame, with Vrbata's 5th breaking the ice, then Jori Lehtera answering for the Blues and finally Henrik with what would be the gamewinner, assisted by brother Daniel. Markstrom again impressed, making 33 saves for the win.
W 3-2 vs EDM - Zack Kassian got his first of the year to open the scoring, and goals from Bonino and Williams gave the Canucks enough for the W. Oilers defenseman Justin Schultz had two goals in the losing cause, moving him to five on the season alreay.
W 5-1 vs WSH - Veteran Alex Burrows makes his season debut against Alex Ovechkin's Capitals. Washington took eight penalties and the Canucks powerplay took advantage, converting on four powerplays with goals from Burrows, Henrik, Vrbata and Williams. Markstrom made 31 saves.
L 2-1 vs DET - After an unexpectedly strong start to the year, the Canucks are dominated by the Cup contending Red Wings. Vancouver mustered only 14 shots on backup goalie Al Montoya, with Nick Bonino's third period snipe being the only one to beat him. Greiss made 32 saves in the losing cause.
L 3-0 vs MTL - Kris Russell is back but Yannick Weber is out with an eye issue. Bieksa will get his first game action of the regular season and Stanton will go back to the press box. The Canadiens are flying high so far this year, and the Carey Price shutout has them up to 9-1 on the season. Gallagher was dominant, scoring his fifth of the year and taking eight shots on goal. Vancouver's second line of Higgins, Bonino and Williams really struggled, generating only two shots between them and going minus-2.
W 3-2 @ DAL - Radim Vrbata, currently tied for the league lead in goals with six, is day to day after sustaining a lower body injury last game. Letestu slots into the lineup as the right wing on the second line and Justin Williams moves up to play with the Sedins. Vancouver gets back to their winning ways, getting goals from Bonino, Williams and Bo Horvat. Greiss makes 21 saves for his first win as a Canuck.
L 5-3 @ ARI - Coyotes backup Jared Coreau had a 28 save victory as Arizona romped over Vancouver for just their second win of the season. Defenseman Brandon Gormley was the unlikely first star with a goal and three assists. Dustin Jeffrey had his first of the year for the Canucks.
Record: 7-4-0, 14 points, 2nd in Pacific
Player Stats:
Goals - Vrbata (6), Williams, Bonino (4), Henrik, Lupul (3)
Assists - Henrik (7), Daniel (6), Williams (5), Bonino, Higgins, Holden, Michalek (4)
Points - Henrik (10), Williams, Vrbata (9), Daniel, Bonino (8), Higgins (6)
Plus/Minus - Michalek (+7), Russell (+6), Henrik, Williams (+4), Daniel, Holden, Kassian (+3)
PIM - Kassian (14), Hamhuis (10), Williams, Lupul, Tanev (8)
Shots - Daniel (31), Vrbata (30), Bonino (27), Henrik (22), Holden (20)
Hits - Hamhuis, Kassian (20), Richardson (18), Holden, Higgins (17)
Takeaways - Tanev (8), Hamhuis (6), Richardson, Holden, Bonino, Horvat (5)
Blocks - Tanev (29), Holden (23), Michalek (20), Hamhuis, Russell (18)
FO% - Horvat (53.7), Bonino (52.4), Henrik (48.5), Richardson (45.0)
Goalies:
Markstrom - 6-1-0, 1.71 GAA, .948 SvPct, 6.91 GSAA
Greiss - 1-3-0, 2.51 GAA, .919 SvPct, 0.11 GSAA
Injuries:
RW Radim Vrbata DTD (hip)
Summary:
Dan Bylsma appears to have revitalized the
Sedins, and playing together consistently with
Radim Vrbata has all three clicking and both twins on track for impressive bounce back years offensively.
Justin Williams has proven to be a savvy offseason pickup as he is also having a tremendous resurgence offensively.
Richardson is struggling in his third line shutdown role and his faceoffs have been lacking - maybe it's already time to replace him with the sophomore
Bo Horvat, who has thus far shown good defensive chops centering the fourth line.
On the blueline,
Russell and
Michalek have been steady as a second pairing, but
Yannick Weber hasn't brought as much offense as expected.
Markstrom has looked impressive between the pipes and
Greiss has been reliable as a backup but hasn't really had the run support, resulting in some undeserved Ls.
Vancouver is looking surprisingly competitive (through one month albeit) for a team that sold off the kind of assets they did over the offseason. They sit second in their division to the
Kings, and are tied with
St. Louis for second in the West. Even after missing a couple games to injury
Vrbata is tied for third in the league in goals.
Markstrom looks like a great bet to take over the crease so far, and his top ten goals against average and save percentage is going to make
Canucks fans forget about Vezina winner
Ryan Miller very quickly.
Prospect Watch:
RD Rasmus Andersson (OHL) 10gp, 1-6-7, +3, his shot accuracy is improving
LD Vince Dunn (OHL) 10gp, 1-7-8, +1, has improved his shot from range
C Jared McCann (OHL) 9gp, 2-5-7, E, is demonstrating improved leadership in his veteran role for his junior team
RW Conor Garland (QMJHL) 10gp, 3-6-9, +2, his puck skills and protection are getting better
LW Kirill Kaprizov (RUS) 8gp, 7-5-12, +2, his first steps are looking quicker
LD Gus Forsling (SWE) 8gp, 1-4-5, -1, he's playing a larger role and eating up more minutes and also doing better at finding open ice in the offensive zone
C Ross Colton (NCAA) 6gp, 3-2-5, E, his strength on his skates and puck protection are getting better
C Cole Cassels (AHL) 12gp, 2-9-11, +1, is growing by leaps and bounds so far, looking more balanced on the ice, showing improved playmaking and playing the body better as well
C Danton Heinen (AHL) 12gp, 4-4-8, E, his shot is looking more and more accurate lately
RW Jake Virtanen (WHL) 10gp, 6-7-13, +1, he is dominating and playing well at both ends, improving his stick checking notably and also showing more willingness to go the hard areas of the ice