The Canucks got to their game early to win consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 1 and pull to within a point of the final wild-card playoff spot
Four-point games consume those on the outside of NHL playoff positioning.
The night saw revival of a dormant power play that struck twice, and on a superb special-teams night, there was even a short-handed goal as the Canucks won two consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 1.
They’re the league’s second-lowest shot club with an average of 25.2 per outing, but hit the 30-shot plateau. So, stick taps all around.
Take a hit, make a play
When in a scoring funk, even if you’re leading your club in scoring with 17 goals, it’s important to do the little things to help the cause.
Jake DeBrusk, who has gone 10 games in his latest goal drought, took a hit in his own zone to make a play in a sequence to open scoring in the first period. He got the puck to Hughes, who sped away on a 2-on-1 and fed a perfect cross-ice pass under a sprawling defenceman and right to Garland at the far post for an easy tap-in.
It’s the kind of play that got everyone going.
Garland came into the night without a goal in eight games, but struck again later in the opening period by fishing for a loose puck in the crease. He was then denied for his second career hat trick and again in the second period and then with the goalie pulled. Garland finished with six shots and 11 attempts.
“He brings a lot of compete, whether he’s on the scoresheet or not and you’re going to feel his impact,” lauded Hughes. “He’s always pushing the pace for us.”
How to get to Lankinen?
Holloway is making quite the impression with the Blues.
The big rookie winger has 14 points (3-11) in his last 14 games and knew the scouting report on Lankinen was to get to the net for screens and tips, anything to get the unflappable Finn off his game because he has been lights out on the road.
In the opening period, Holloway got up close and personal when an apparent Tyler Tucker goal was called off.
The Blues challenged and lost because the NHL’s situation room ruled that, even though he had initially made contact with Hughes, Holloway entered the crease and made contact with Lankinen. He made no effort to get out of the way.
Holloway did get to Lankinen in the second period when his bullet from the right faceoff circle whizzed by bodies and to the far glove side on Lankinen, who didn’t appear to get a clear view of the shot.
Before the Holloway effort, the Canucks had a 16-6 shot advantage and were cruising before Lankinen had to respond with a trio of terrific stops.
A glove save off Justin Faulk, denying Mathieu Joseph on backhand deke, and then thwarting Alexey Toropchenko sent a message that it was going to take something special to beat the stopper.
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Finally, power play surge
On Monday, the Canucks scored on both power play opportunities thanks to better pace, better net presence and a long-bomb from Hughes. First, it was Garland depositing the garbage when he fished for a loose puck early in the first period to open scoring.
Then in the second period, Lankinen got the puck to Hughes, who hit a streaking Miller with a perfect pass that was snapped high to the stick side to provide a three-goal bulge. Hughes now has a six-game streak in which he has nine points (5-4) and became the first Canucks defenceman to register 100 career multi-point games.
Bad penalty, better result
OVERTIME — Schenn had this to say of his scrap with Miller: “Trying to get a response. We’re not starting well at home.”