The Canucks wrapped up their road trip with a 5-1-1 record.
The Vancouver Canucks (29-11-4) finished up their seven-game road trip with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-21-9). This was the first time all season the Canucks have lost a game while leading after two periods, dropping their record to 26-0-1. Despite the loss, Vancouver extended their point streak to six games and picked up at least one point in seven of their last eight.
Despite a strong start, it looked as though the Canucks ran out of gas in the third period. Vancouver finished the first period ahead on the shot clock but were outshot 36 to 16 the rest of the way. This is understandable, considering they were at the end of a seven-game road trip and the effort it took to get out of Buffalo and to Columbus. The good news is they can head home proud as they showed on this Eastern road trip that not only are they one of the best teams in the NHL, but should be considered a Stanley Cup contender at this point of the season.
Here is what J.T. Miller had to say about the road trip and his team's performance in Columbus:
"It was a good road trip. We came together as a team I think. Won in some really fun environments to play in, some hard teams. We just didn't play; it's what it is. Not a whole lot to like about it, if I am being honest. I love that we got a point; Casey (DeSmith) was unreal. It could have been way worse than it was... We have done a great job lately but just kinda a dud for us. I think we know that, but we have a high expectation, and we'll get back to where we need to be for the next game.
Stats and Facts
- Canucks join the Colorado Avalanche as the only two teams with three 20+ goal scorers this season
- J.T. Miller records his fourth 40+ assists season as a Canuck
- Casey DeSmith records 40+ saves for the first time this season
- Vancouver moves to 0-2 in shootouts this season
Scoring Summary
1st Period
VAN: 5:28- J.T. Miller (20th) from Nikita Zadorov and Elias Pettersson
CBJ: 5:55- Yegor Chinakhov (11th) from Johnny Gaudreau
VAN: 14:54- Conor Garland (6th) from Teddy Blueger and Dakota Joshua
2nd Period
CBJ: 3:28- Dmitri Voronkov (8th) from Adam Boqvist and Johnny Gaudreau (PPG)
VAN: 7:35- Elias Pettersson (23rd) from J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes
3rd Period
CBJ: 10:57- Dmitri Voronkov (9th) from Jack Roslovic
Overtime
No Scoring
Shootout
CBJ: 4th Round- Kirill Marchenko
Canucks Next Opponent
The Canucks will get a few days to rest before facing the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night. This will be the first of three meetings between the two teams, with the other two matchups coming in March. Game time is set for 7:00 PM PT from Rogers Arena.