Thursday October 29 - Dallas Stars 4 - Vancouver Canucks 3 (OT)
Since the Vancouver Canucks were 0-6-1 over the last two seasons against the Dallas Stars, one could argue that a single point on the road against one of the league's hottest teams was a decent outcome on Thursday night.
But the late-game collapses continue. The Canucks took a 3-1 lead early in the third period but Dallas came back to force overtime before NHL leading scorer Jamie Benn capped things off with the game winner.
Here are your highlights:
When the Canucks visited the American Airlines Center early last season, they were overwhelmed by the speed of the Stars as they fell 6-3 on October 21.
Last night's game started similarly. Dallas picked up the first 10 shots of the game and enjoyed two power plays in the first 12 minutes of the game, pushing the Canucks back on their heels.
Seconds after Derek Dorsett's hooking minor had been successfully killed, Alex Burrows was awarded a penalty shot after he was slashed by Alex Goligoski on a breakaway—and he converted to give Vancouver an unlikely 1-0 lead.
Ryan Miller started the game brilliantly, setting up the opportunity for the Canucks to take the lead, but the score was tied at the first intermission after Patrick Sharp fluttered in a long wrister to tie the game.
In the second, the Canucks took a 2-1 lead and outshot Dallas 12-5—possibly buoyed by the in-house DJ's bizarre decision to play nothing by Nickelback songs during play stoppages in the middle frame.
I've always been of the belief that music choices can impact games but I've never heard execution at this level before.
Second period ends. #Stars hit 'em with audio warfare to no avail. Time to regroup for the final 20. Canucks lead, 2-1.
SOG
DAL:19
VAN:21
As Jared Clinton at The Hockey Newspoints out, the collateral damage in this case was an arena full of annoyed Stars fans—though I imagine they were ultimately appeased by the two points for their team.
After Radim Vrbata increased the Canucks lead to 3-1 just 10 seconds into the third period, the Stars chipped away—and the Canucks got just one shot in the final 8:15 of regulation as they frittered away another lead.
After his terrible execution on Detroit's overtime-winning goal last weekend, Yannick Weber was once again the defenseman of record this time around. Perhaps this idea needs a re-think, Willie?
Speaking of questionable choices by the coach, Jake Virtanen was spared this time but once again, third-period ice time was cut way back for the rest of the kids:
The less said about Jared McCann's game, the better.
Even though we know that the kids are going to be up-and-down, make some mistakes, I wonder if McCann might have earned himself a seat in the press box for tonight's game against Arizona rather than burning the ninth game of his trial on the second half of a back-to-back? Adam Cracknell is with the team, so there is one extra forward available who would draw into the lineup.
I don't have much of an impression of Brendan Gaunce from his NHL debut. Gaunce played 10:47 with one shot, one hit and one takeaway.
With that—say goodbye to Texas for another year. The Canucks move on to Glendale tonight before heading home or a couple of games.
Friday October 30 - Vancouver Canucks at Arizona Coyotes - 7 p.m. - Sportsnet Vancouver, TSN1040
Vancouver Canucks: 10 GP, 4-2-4, 12 points, second in Pacific Division
Arizona Coyotes: 10 GP, 5-4-1, 11 points, third in Pacific Division
Before the season began, there was a pretty strong consensus among the hockey experts that the Anaheim Ducks would contend for the Presidents' Trophy and the Stanley Cup while the Arizona Coyotes settled into the Pacific Division basement for another year.
The Ducks now sit 30th in the entire NHL while the Coyotes have put up a respectable record and currently hold the last guaranteed playoff spot in the suddenly limp Pacific.
Arizona's fun factor has increased this year thanks to a pair of exciting rookies. Max Domi is tied for the team scoring lead with 10 points while Anthony Duclair's not far behind with seven.
Martin Hanzal was also enjoying an excellent season until he missed Tuesday's game against Boston with a lower-body injury. He's possible for tonight, as is fellow centre Antoine Vermette, who missed the last three games.
The Coyotes are coming off two days' rest, having beaten Toronto at the ACC on Monday night before being shut out 6-0 by Boston on Tuesday.
No word yet on tonight's goaltending choice on either side.
Willie D not saying who will start in goal Friday night. Says he'll talk with Miller in morning. #Canucks
I won't be surprised to see Miller hit the ice again, though Richard Bachman might get his first start as a Canuck due to the back-to-back situation.
For the Coyotes, Mike Smith got off to a strong start but has given up three or more goals in his last six appearances, including the six against Boston on Tuesday. His new backup, Anders Lindback, is 1-1 in two appearances with a 1.32 goals-against average and .953 save percentage, so he might get another look before too much longer.
Once again, due to baseball, the game will be available only on the Sportsnet Vancouver channel.
To wrap up today, a note on call-ups in Utica to fill in for Gaunce and Alex Biega while they're with the Canucks:
Comets officially call up Evan McEneny and Dane Fox from ECHL. McEneny has played in 2 games for Comets. Fox has yet to play in AHL.
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