Kellan Lain’s first game in the NHL was over two seconds after it began. His second went much better.
Lain scored in the first period, and Roberto Luongo made 28 saves as Vancouver won their second game in a row with a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
Zack Kassian also scored for the Canucks, who are 26-16-9 on the season, fourth in the Pacific Division. Edmonton is last in the division at 15-31-6.
It was Vancouver’s first game since Saturday’s brawl (and game) against the Calgary Flames, where Lain and seven other players were ejected after a line brawl broke out on the opening faceoff. John Tortarella went to the Flames’ dressing room during the first intermission, an act that got him suspended for six games. Assistant Coach Mike Sullivan will lead the Canucks in his absence.
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The Canucks were also without Henrik Sedin, who saw his iron man streak snapped at 679 games.
Notes: It was the third of five games between the Pacific Division rivals. Vancouver won both of the previous encounters by a combined score of 10-2. The Canucks entered the game having won
eight of the previous 11 games between the two squads…A pair of players acquired during Edmonton’s four-game road trip made their Oilers debut as the fans got their first looks at forward Matt
Hendricks (traded from Nashville) and Scrivens (trade with Los Angeles). Scrivens, from the Edmonton satellite community of Spruce Grove, Alta., was playing his first-ever game in Rexall Place…The Oilers were missing the likes of forwards Ales Hemsky (foot) and Nail Yakupov (head) and defenceman Philip Larsen (illness). Defenceman Corey Potter returned from missing the last 11 games with a groin injury…Also out for the Canucks were Mike Santorelli (shoulder), Ryan Stanton (ankle), Andrew Alberts (concussion) and Jordan Schroeder (ankle).
– With files from Canadian Press
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