Wednesday, March 29, 2006
GAME 74: CANUCKS 2, WILD 1
Canucks 2, Wild 1
[initial partial post]
Did the Canucks need this one? They need every one from now until the end of the regular season to assure they even get into the playoffs. A big thing for the Canucks was to take advantage of the fact that Anaheim and Edmonton had lost the previous night and were idle on this night. Of course, the team that beat the Oilers was the Minnesota Wild. Wild fans hate the Canucks, it's that simple. The rivalry doesn't quite seep into the Wild players to the same extent, but usually these games get contentious. Unfortunately, since a Jacques Lemaire team is involved, it means the game has the potential to get a bit boring. Of course, there have been Canucks/Wild games I've kept track of where the Canucks outshoot the Wild 34-14 and lose 3-2. In short, the Canucks would have to grind this one out to get a win.
At least it ended nicely.
1st period
none
2nd period
»» 1, VANCOUVER, Daniel Sedin 21 (unassisted) 7:00
»» 2, MINNESOTA, Brian Rolston 32 (Wes Walz, Pierre-Marc Bouchard) 7:40
3rd period
»» 3, VANCOUVER, powerplay, Anson Carter 30 (D Sedin, Henrik Sedin) 19:53
Three stars -- (1) Carter, (2) Minnesota's Manny Fernandez, (3) Auld
skater, goals-assists-points
D Sedin 1-1-2
Carter 1-0-1
H Sedin 0-1-1
The much-needed win helped the Canucks keep pace with Calgary, who had beat the Kings earlier in the night. Vancouver now has a record of 40-28-6 (4-3 shootout, three overtime losses), good for 86 points. Right now, Vancouver is tied with Anaheim (two games in hand) for sixth in the Western Conference, and they are two points up on Edmonton, who holds the eighth slot. The Sharks are two points behind the Oilers in ninth place. Amidst all of this is the fact that the Canucks are only two points out of the Northwest Division lead and the third seed in the upcoming playoffs. The only unfortunate thing is that every other team in the playoff race has more games left to play than Vancouver. Next for the Canucks are a home rematch on Friday with Minnesota before a Sunday/Monday double-dip at Anaheim and Los Angeles. Then they get four nights off so this games-in-hand stuff can dissipate a bit before they host Calgary in a huge game Saturday of next week.
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