Did you go out partying and miss the game? Well you missed a good one! Here are the highlights:
Another gutsy effort from the Canucks. We have talked about them putting the foot on the gas and burying teams in the past, and not doing so. Well not anymore. Right from the opening faceoff they attacked the Stars with a fierce tenacity and buried key chances when they got them, attaining a 2-0 lead after 1 period and a 4-0 lead after 2. Cory Schneider had to be solid and was. Very exciting watching him play so well.
MORE
-The Stars outshot the Canucks 37-14 in the final 2 periods and 45-22 overall. A lot of those shots were perimeter but many forced Schneider to be outstanding as well. Schneider had a .978 save percentage and was the game's first star.
-After Kari Lehtonen was pulled we got to see Andrew Raycroft in goal! By that time the game was out of reach for the Stars and the Canucks hardly tested their old buddy (8 not-so significant shots).
-Alexandre Burrows only played 13:19, had no points and no shots. The Sedins combined for 2 goals, 2 assists, a zero +/- rating and 5 shots.
-Unfortunately, Ryan Kesler's point streak came to an end but he played well regardless.
-Canucks going 3 for 4 on the power play was a killer for the Stars.
-Kevin Bieksa continues to impress. 1 goal and 1 assist, a +1, and played more minutes than any other player out there (24:22). The guy is cool as a cucumber.
-Raffi Torres scored the winning goal and it was a beauty.
-Jamie Benn, Brad Richards, Loui Eriksson and James Neal combined for 24 shots, 1 assist, and a -2 rating.
THE NHL CHARTS
-The Sedins are creeping up the NHL scoring chart.
-Daniel Sedin has 29 points in 18 road games this season, tops in the NHL.
-Manny Malhotra is 2nd in the NHL in faceoff percentage.
-The Canucks have still scored more 3rd period goals than anybody else, have allowed the fewest goals against in the 1st period, 15th in goals against in the 2nd period, and 4th-best in goals against in the 3rd period.
-The Canucks have allowed the 3rd-fewest power play goals against in the NHL.
-The Canucks have won 11 games by 3 goals and lost 3 by the same margin. That winning % is tops in the NHL. That's a cool stat because they aren't as good in 1 or 2 goal differential games.
-Like Reggie pointed out: who's your effing daddy?
These are great times to be a Canucks fan. Savor it! The week from hell approaches!