Canucks in MARCH/APRIL
L 5-2 vs NYI - Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome both had a goal and an assist and John Tavares scored his 27th of the year in a dominant win over Vancouver and Jacob Markstrom. Vancouver had goals from Vrbata and Tanev.
L 4-2 vs SJS - Markstrom went up against his former teammate and mentor as Ryan Miller came out on top, albeit with a much lighter workload, saving 15 of 17 shots. Markstrom saved 36 of 40 shots and Brad Hunt scored his first as a Canuck, but a three point night from Tomas Hertl led the Sharks to a victory in a key divisional matchup. These teams meet up again for their next game in San Jose.
L 4-1 @ SJS - Vancouver's leadership group is having to ask some hard questions after a poor showing in a key matchup saw them lose to San Jose again and fall behind them in the standings. A powerplay goal by Daniel was the only one of 23 shots to get by Sharks backup Michael Neuvirth, while Markstrom allowed four goals on 35 shots. Alex Killorn continued his hot streak since being acquired by the Sharks, contributing a goal and an assist in the win.
W 4-2 @ LAK - Justin Williams had a goal and an assist against his former team while Thomas Greiss held the fort, making 26 saves. Kris Russell went off for a goal and an assist on a new look pairing with Brad Hunt.
SOW 3-2 vs ARI - The Canucks had goals from Vrbata and Higgins, but Brett Connolly (now on a four game goal streak) evened it up in the third on the powerplay to send it to a fruitless overtime. In the shootout Zbynek Michalek was a surprise first shooter for Vancouver and he scored while Boedker was stopped by Markstrom. Vrbata scored as well then Max Domi was also stopped by Markstrom to clinch the victory.
W 4-1 vs NSH - The Canucks were shelled to the tune of 45 shots against in this game but Jacob Markstrom was equal to the task, allowing only one goal. After Forsberg opened the scoring Justin Williams answered with two straight goals (including his 600th career point) and Vrbata and Linden Vey added insurance markers.
L 3-2 vs WPG - Evander Kane was impactful, from a first period fight with Nick Bonino to setting up the first two Winnipeg goals. Goals from Daniel and Vrbata tied it up in the third but Kyle Okposo scored the winner with six minutes to play.
SOW 6-5 vs COL - it was a barn burner in Vancouver, seeing the Canucks get up 3-1 by the first intermission, only for the Avs to score three straight in the first six minutes of the second to take the lead. Josh Anderson evened it up midway through the middle frame but shortly thereafter Jamie McGinn put Colorado up again. Dan Hamhuis scored with two minutes to play in the second period to even it up and then both teams were scoreless through the third and overtime. The shootout was also scoreless through thirteen rounds until BC native Dan Hamhuis scored the winner. Markstrom made 44 saves in the win.
W 6-4 @ EDM - In another high scoring affair Justin Williams opened the scoring with his 20th and Chris Higgins added two goals and an assist as Vancouver piled on 6 goals in 19 shots on Ben Scrivens. Thomas Greiss made 30 saves in the win.
L 2-0 vs STL - the Canucks laid a giant goose egg in this one, mustering only eighteen shots while Jacob Markstrom stood on his head making 43 saves to no avail without the run support. Jaden Schwartz and Ryan Reaves were the goal scorers for St. Louis.
L 4-1 @ WPG - Justin Williams had the lone goal for Vancouver as they were again defeated by the Jets and another dominant game from Evander Kane, who had 2 goals and an assist. Vancouver was badly outshot, 37-23, and lost to backup goaltender Michael Hutchinson.
L 1-0 @ NSH - Hamhuis is day to day with a back injury so Bieksa draws into the lineup, while Burrows also comes in for Vey and moves onto his old spot beside the Sedins. An absolute trouncing on the shot clock, as the Predators outshoot the Canucks 43-11 and despite stellar goaltending from Markstrom Viktor Arvidsson sneaks one by him to win it for the Preds.
L 4-3 @ STL - Thomas Greiss gets the start and faces 40 shots, stopping 36 but that wouldn't be enough for the win as a two goal performance from David Backes, Tarasenko's 29th of the year and a a third period game winner on the powerplay from Paul Stastny were enough to top Vancouver's three goal performance.
L 3-1 vs CHI - The Hawks started their backup against the downward spiralling Canucks, who are now on a five game skid at the most critical point in the season. Yet another embarrassing performance from the home team as they allow 46 shots on Markstrom while getting only 18 themselves. Brad Hunt scored the lone Canuck goal while Marian Hossa had two assists and Dustin Byfuglien had a goal and an assist in the win.
L 4-1 vs SJS - a critical divisional game between two teams trending in opposite directions. Vancouver again is embarrassed at home, giving up 50 shots while managing only 14.
L 7-3 @ SJS - The Canucks had a shot at redemption in San Jose but instead they were destroyed in every aspect of the game. Out shot 64-16, Vancouver was clearly outclassed, Mark Streit scored two goals and added two assists in a first star performance, while Alex Killorn also put up four points, including his 19th goal of the season. Justin Williams scored two goals in the losing effort. Markstrom was chased after allowing his seventh goal on 39 shots at the end of the second. Greiss stopped all 25 shots in the third in his relief effort but the Canucks mustered only five shots and no goals in a lacklustre comeback attempt.
March Record: 5-11-0
W 3-2 @ ANA - the Canucks come in on a season worst seven game losing streak, crash and burning their way out of a playoff spot, and look to right the ship with some lineup changes. Dan Hamhuis rejoins the blueline, although reports are that his back isn't 100% yet, Sedins are back on the top line with Vrbata, Josh Anderson will get second line icetime with Higgins and Bonino while Horvat will center Letestu and Williams on the third line. Burrows, Richardson and Vey will play as the fourth line. They would get the win on the strength of three second period goals and a 36 save performance from backup Greiss, but being outshot 38-19 means Bylsma has a lot of work to do still.
L 4-2 vs LAK - Jordan Weal scored two goals, his first two of the season, against an ailing Canucks franchise that is fighting for their playoff lives but lacking any on-ice evidence of urgency in the locker room. The shots were 39-25 for the Kings. Scoring chances were 15-8 for the Kings. Kopitar and Doughty both played a dominant two way game. Josh Anderson was regularly exposed in the defensive zone. Tanev and Russell both blocked seven shots.
L 6-5 @ EDM - in a game that likely sealed their playoff fate this year the Canucks at least showed up to play. It was a competitive back and forth affair that saw three early goals from the Oilers (including two from ex-Canuck Yannick Weber) chase Markstrom in the first period before Brad Hunt and Daniel Sedin answered to close the gap to one before the intermission. After Taylor Hall gave the Oil a two goal lead Justin Williams drew Vancouver back to within one on the powerplay. A shorthanded goal by Klefbom re-established the two goal lead and Yannick Weber scored a dagger against his former team to complete his hat trick at the end of the second to make it 6-3. The Canucks weren't going away though, and Greiss shut the door in the third while Bonino and Letestu both scored to bring Vancouver within a goal but even a late push with the empty net wasn't enough for the Canucks to net the equalizer as time ran out for the game and maybe their season as well.
L 3-2 @ CGY - A regulation loss to the Flames officially eliminates Vancouver from the playoffs. The Canucks didn't play like this game mattered, being outshot 34-21 and falling behind 2-0 in the first before Vrbata and Hunt evened it up in the second. Dennis Wideman's goal early in the third held up as the winner and Vancouver didn't have nearly enough push back in the third with their season on the line, being outshot 12-7 in the critical frame. Thomas Greiss made 31 saves in the loss.
SOL 2-1 vs EDM - Justin Williams, playing in his 1000th career game, notched his 25th goal of the season, assisted by Bo Horvat and Alex Burrows (possibly his last Canuck point as his contract expires this year) in a mean nothing game that Vancouver managed to lose in a shootout. Oscar Klefbom eventually secured the shootout victory for the Oilers deep into the shootout.
Record (April): 36-38-8 (1-3-1), 80 points, 5th in Pacific
Team Stats:
GF/gm - 2.34 (23rd)
GA/gm - 2.63 (T-18th)
SF/gm - 26.15 (29th)
SA/gm - 34.82 (26th)
PP % - 17.1 (T-13th)
PK % - 83.8 (11th)
Player Stats:
Goals - Vrbata (26), Williams (25), Daniel (19), Higgins (16), Bonino (14)
Assists - Henrik (51), Daniel (29), Vrbata, Bonino (25), Higgins (22)
Points - Henrik (63), Vrbata (51), Daniel (48), Williams (43), Bonino (39)
Plus/Minus - Letestu (+9), Williams (+4), Bonino (+2), Bieksa (E), Hamhuis, Hunt (-1)
PIM - Hamhuis (68), Williams (46), Vrbata (42), Higgins (38), Daniel, Tanev (36)
Shots - Vrbata (221), Daniel (184), Williams (179), Bonino (145), Henrik (141)
Hits - Bonino (130), Richardson (125), Holden (120), Henrik, Williams (114)
Takeaways - Tanev (53), Bonino (42), Holden (36), Russell (34), Hamhuis (32)
Blocks - Tanev (271), Russell (238), Michalek (166), Holden (141), Hamhuis (122)
FO% - Horvat (55.8), Henrik (52.9), Bonino (52.8), Richardson (50.6), Higgins (50.4)
Goalies:
Markstrom - 27-26-4, 2.44 GAA, .929 SvPct, 21.36 GSAA, 5 SO
Greiss - 9-12-4, 2.72 GAA, .922 SvPct, 3.76 GSAA, 1 SO
Summary:
An epic collapse down the stretch saw a lacklustre Canucks squad throw in the towel following the trade deadline, going 6-14-1 in the final six weeks of the season to freefall out of a playoff spot entirely. While special teams looked solid, five on five play overall was lottery level and the only thing keeping this team afloat was out of this world goaltending from Markstrom. To consistently be outshot by an average of almost nine shots a game is embarrassing. There were bright spots, such as Justin Williams turning in a 25 goal season, Nick Bonino developing further as a defensively responsible middle six center, Chris Tanev solidifying his reputation as one of the better defensive defensemen in the league, the Canucks as a team being third in the NHL in faceoff percentage and Brad Hunt hitting his stride a little bit and earning 10 points through 26 games with the Canucks after being acquired from Edmonton. Rumours are swirling that Linden's job may already be in jeopardy two years into his tenure as team owner Francesco Aquilini is impatient and frustrated with missing the playoffs (and presumably the revenue that comes with a post-season appearance).
Prospect Watch:
C Colin Blackwell (AHL) 73gp, 20-22-42, 126pim, his shooting range and hitting have seen improvement recently
RD Rasmus Andersson (OHL) 62gp, 12-36-48, +14, while his point totals in junior haven't really surpassed his draft season outputs, his game has rounded out well, showing better balance on his skates, playing with consistent determination and making better reads in his own end
RD Erik Cernak (OHL) 61gp, 9-28-37, 106pim, +7, the defensive defenseman grew in strength and aggression and defensive reads, solidifying his reputation as one of the best stay at home defensemen in his league
LD Vince Dunn (OHL) 61gp, 7-41-48, +5, his agility and defensive positioning are getting better
LW Jared McCann (OHL) 60gp, 27-38-65, +5, improving in many areas, including his stamina, leadershihp, screening and positioning
G Alexandar Georgiev (RUS) 38gp, 3.78gaa, .877sv%, 20w, showed much improvement over last years totals in the difficult Russian league, his leadership and skating are improved
LW Kirill Kaprizov (RUS) 51gp, 31-24-55, +14, the dynamic winger showed improvement in his own end while still outpacing his draft year goal totals, recently he's looked stronger and become better at finding open ice in the attacking zone while also making smarter reads defensively
C Nico Sturm (NCAA) 40gp, 12-23-35, E, has improved his strength, determination and ability to get open on offense
C Brendan Gaunce (AHL) 74gp, 30-28-58, 109pim, -1, in his first pro season he scored 30 goals in the minors, and has looked better at getting open, hitting and agility
G Anthony Stolarz (AHL) 43gp, 2.38gaa, .921 sv%, 27w, his best AHL season yet, he showed better mental toughness and improved his passing
RW Jake Virtanen (WHL) 59gp, 31-44-75, -5, while he didn't demonstrate enough improvement in his own end, he has probably proven all he can at the junior level and his stamina, courage and shot power have all looked better recently