It doesn’t matter where the Canucks are playing these days – the result is the same.
Daniel Sedin scored the tiebreaking goal at 5:01 of the third period, and the Canucks defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2 for their fourth straight victory.
The Canucks’ first game at home in over two weeks began with a bang. Alex Ovechkin was dragged down by Alex Edler 79 seconds in, resulting in a penalty shot that was saved by Luongo.
The Canucks, however, were the dominant team the rest of the way, outshooting Washington 41-19.
Their first goal game on a Zach Kassian shot at 11:31 of the first period.
Jason Chimera tied the game later in the period for Washington, and Mikhail Grabovski put the Capitals ahead at 1:52 of the third period.
But the Canucks top line of Ryan Kesler and the Sedin twins quickly responded, with two goals in just over two minutes.
First, Ryan Kesler slapped home a rebound at 2:53 of the third for his team-high eighth goal of the season.
The goal was quickly followed by a Daniel Sedin’s game winning marker at 5:01. Assisting on the play was Henrik Sedin, his NHL-leading 14th assist on the year.
Roberto Luongo made 17 saves for the Canucks, who move to 9-4-1 on the season.
Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows returned to the lineup after breaking a bone in his right foot in the season opener.
Although Burrows was back healthy, Vancouver’s sick bay is still a busy place. Canucks coach John Tortorella will be without David Booth for about two weeks, while fellow forwards Jannik Hansen and Dale Weise are each expected to miss three-to-four weeks.
Still on the injury front, Vancouver forward Jordan Schroeder, who was injured his left foot blocking a shot in the pre-season, will require surgery to insert a pin in his ankle. Tortorella said he expects the second-year man to be out for two months.
All the walking wounded for Vancouver meant that Canucks forward Darren Archibald played his second career NHL game, while Jeremy Walsh suited up for the fifth time.
Notes: The Canucks continue their three-game homestand on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings…Vancouver will retire Pavel Bure’s No. 10 jersey before Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs…The Capitals conclude their season-long five-game road trip on Friday against the Philadelphia Flyers…Famed musician Phil Collins was in attendance.
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