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What's this, a regulation loss? I don't get it. Last time this happened I was still committed to my New Year's resolutions ("don't throw up in 2012" is still going strong).
Truthfully, the Canucks have earned points in a lot of games since mid-January that they probably shouldn't have, so it's not the worst thing in the world to lose a game outright in which they actually played pretty OK. It happens. Now everyone can focus on the Red Wings tomorrow and their mammoth 23-game home winning streak. Breaking that would surely be a highlight of the season.
Here are your links, images, bad Photoshops, out-of-context quotes and wild generalities for Wednesday, February 22, 2012.
Vancouver Canucks News & Notes
As stated, the Canucks lost their first game in regulation in over a month last night. The difference was special teams. [The Province]
A photo gallery from last night's game. Not that you care to relive it. [Vancouver Sun]
How good has the 4th line been lately? Dale Weise chipped in with the lone goal last night. Manny Malhotra is on a 3-game point streak. Not bad for a line that has to move the puck 200 feet before it can even think about generating a scoring chance.
Last night Burrows played his 500th game for the Canucks, an incredible achievement for a guy who came so close to slipping through the cracks. He's now played 500 games, but his defining moment as a Canuck was his 425th. [Legion of Blog]
Zone start data is becoming more mainstream, but not everyone thinks they play a significant role. [Canucks Army]
CHB continues to look at trade deadline targets. This time it's Phoenix Coyotes power forward Shane Doan. [CHB]
Alex Edler picked up a camera on a recent flight on Air Canucks. Here are the results. The shot of Edler's iTunes playlist is a rare insight into the man they call Eagle. [Canucks]
Aw, sad Cody is sad! [PITB]
Today in Canucks History
[Feb 22, 1981] Dennis Kearns retires as the Canucks' all-time leader in games played (677) and the all-time leading scorer among Canuck defencemen with 321 points.
NHL News & Notes
The Red Wings, Lightning and Avalanche connected on a three-team deal yesterday involving D Kyle Quincey, F Steve Downie, and a first round draft pick. [National Post]
So this begs the question: why didn't the Avalanche just trade Quincey to the Wings for a 1st and a prospect? [Puck Daddy]
Good news if you hate the Flames: they got shit-kicked by the Oilers last night, while all the teams around them in standings — Dallas, Phoenix, and LA — got points. [CBC]
STAMKOS 50 GOAL COUNTDOWN: He netted his 41st and 42nd against the Ducks last night. [NHL]
Surprisingly, last night was Mike Ribeiro's first game back in Montreal since he was traded in 2006. Watch as he scores a big goal and is named the game's first star, and let's the crowd know what time it is. [Puck Daddy]
It sounds as if the San Jose Sharks are really going hard after Rick Nash. It's unclear whether Dough Wilson has changed his mind since the Blue Jackets laid a beating on the Sharks last night, and Jeff Carter had a hat-trick. [TSN]
How about Carter on the Buffalo Sabres? [The Hockey Writers]
Nathan Horton is nowhere close to returning to the Bruins' lineup. [Backhand Shelf]
Just in case there was any confusion: Paul Martin is not James Neal's girlfriend. [Pittsburgh Magazine]
Paul Martin. We lived together before I got my house. He's a great guy-goes about his business and doesn't say a word about it. We drive to the rink every day together and go out to dinner a lot. I mean, he's not my girlfriend or anything.
Today in NHL History
[Feb 22, 1984] Brothers Anton & Peter Stastny score 8 pts each NHL Quebec. Also it's Pat Lafontaine's birthday.