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Vigneault can set franchise mark for wins by first-year coach

Feb 22, 2007 - 4:01 PM Vancouver (35-21-4) at Los Angeles (20-31-10) 10:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Alain Vigneault has made a tremendous first impression in his rookie campaign with the Vancouver Canucks.

Vigneault can set a franchise record for victories by a first-year coach Thursday when the Canucks go for their sixth consecutive win over the struggling Los Angeles Kings.

A former coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Vigneault tied Tom Renney's mark set in 1995-1996 with Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Daniel Sedin scored the game-winner and goaltender Dany Sabourin recorded his first career triumph.

Hired in the offseason after Vancouver failed to reach last season's playoffs, Vigneault has guided the Canucks to an 18-3-3 mark in their last 24 contests and a three-point lead over the Minnesota Wild in the Northwest Division race.

The Canucks are 10-1-1 in their last 12 road contests and will face a Kings squad that is last in the Western Conference in wins (20), points (50) and goals allowed (211).

After a stretch of four losses in five games, including three defeats after regulation, Los Angeles gained a split of a home-and-home series with the Anaheim Ducks with Sunday's 4-3 shootout triumph.