CANUCKS RECAP: Huncho Horvat & ‘All-Star’ Guddy Sink Bruins

Ladies and gentlemen, something to digest now that you’re celebrating an eight-goal evening.

Yeah, everyone saw that one coming, right?

Everyone else also saw the Canucks potting eight goals against one of best defensive teams in the NHL, with the best goalie in the league coming into tonight’s game.

Okay, not everyone saw it, but credit to ‘Braedenn’ who called it pre-game.

There were lots of predictable aspects to the game, like Loui Eriksson potting two goals and an assist, or Erik Gudbranson scoring his first, extending his point streak to four games in the process.

As Harman Dayal aka ‘Boy Genuis’ pointed out earlier, Gudbranson is currently 7th in the league in points-per-60 at even-strength among defenceman. For all the hate Gudbranson has gotten in this city, is it time for Vancouver to change their tune, and send Guddy to the All-Star game?

Start getting your votes in now. ‘All-Star’ Guddy has arrived.

Ok, even if Gudbranson is a little more John Scott than Erik Karlsson, it’s easy to get drunk on the Canucks success tonight. They potted eight goals without Boeser in the lineup, and with Pettersson registering just one assist. It was a weird game, but let’s enjoy it for the night.

Hell, enjoy it for two nights. The Canucks haven’t scored eight goals in a game since beating the Avs 8-2 on November 14th, 2009.

1st Period

Tell me more, Bruins fans, about Halak’s league-leading save percentage...

Horvat made the most of a Danton Heinen turnover, and buried a wrist shot past Halak. It wasn’t a great look for Halak, but the puck appeared to deflect off of defenceman John Moore.

The goal went unassisted officially, but it was clear that the Langley, BC native Heinen was wearing his blue and green Canucks boxers prior to this one.

Another interesting stat following Horvat’s goal from JPat.

The lead was short lived, as Jake DeBrusk and David Krejci used some speed and patience off the rush to set up Matt Grzelcyk for his first goal in 25 games dating back to last season.

Grzelcyk’s goal was the final one of the frame, and the Canucks led 8-5 in shots after one period.

2nd Period

Well if you like goals, take a deep breath and read on. If you don’t like goals, you’re a pigeon.

Patrice Bergeron got the scoring started in the period, after Jacob Markstrom gave up a juicy rebound on a Torey Krug shot.

After that, Little Things grabbed the spotlight.

The Littlethinger himself (credit to The Athletties) buried a missed shot by Gudbranson to tie the game up at 2-2.

Soon after, the power play got going, and Ben Hutton buried his fourth goal of the season. Kudos to Hutton, who’s come a long ways from the zero-goal campaign from last year.

Antoine Roussel would then get on the scoresheet with his third of the season, after tipping home a pass from Markus Granlund.

DeBrusk would score a goal shortly after, but there’s no time to talk about those pesky Bruins goals after the period the Canucks had.

After all those goals, this is how the period would end.

Time to start a movement. Bring Guddy to the All-Star Game.

3rd Period

In case you thought the Canucks used up their goal quote in the second, you’re wrong. They managed to squeeze two more goals to bring that total up to eight. EIGHT!!

The first was a gift from Rask. Maybe he isn’t the better option over Halak.

That brought up the total to seven goals, and the Canucks would cap off their scoring in perfect fashion, with Shotgun Jake getting his sixth tally of the season.

Heinen got some retribution for giving the puck away on the first goal to make it 8-5, but it hardly made a difference in Vancouver.

Eight goals without Pettersson. Soak it in ladies and gents.