Final
Mighty Canucks host lowly Senators
Feb 7, 2011 - 4:24 PM (Sports Network) - Best meets one of the worst as the NHL-leading Vancouver Canucks aim to extend a 14-game home points streak and hand the Ottawa Senators a 10th consecutive setback this evening at Rogers Arena.The Canucks come into this meeting with 77 points on the season, two more than the Flyers for the top spot in the NHL and good enough for a nine-point edge over the Red Wings for most in the Western Conference.
The Senators, meanwhile, have a mere 42 points and are tied with the Devils for the second fewest in the East, one more than the Islanders.
Vancouver is 10-0-4 since its last regulation loss at home on Dec. 5 and began a four-game homestand on Friday with a 4-3 victory over the Blackhawks, the club's fifth straight victory overall.
Trailing by a goal in the third period, Henrik Sedin notched the game-tying tally with 9:51 to play and twin Daniel potted the game-winner with four minutes remaining. Henrik Sedin finished with a goal and two assists, while his brother notched a goal and a helper.
"It was a huge game for us tonight," said Henrik Sedin. "Our power play scored twice and the penalty killing was great. That's what you need to win in this league."
Mikael Samuelsson tallied a goal and an assist while Roberto Luongo stopped 42 shots in the win.
Vancouver will now aim to take advantage of an Ottawa franchise it has bested in six of the last seven meetings. That includes three straight wins as the host, as the Canucks haven't lost at home to the Senators since March 13, 2004.
These clubs met in Ottawa on Nov. 11, with Vancouver leaving town as 6-2 winners thanks to pair of goals from Ryan Kesler and 33 saves by Luongo.
The Senators will try to alter their luck tonight, but are on their longest losing streak since losing 11 straight from Dec. 30, 1995-Jan. 25, 1996. Ottawa is also just 1-11-4 in its last 16 games overall.
Mike Fisher, Chris Neil and Alex Kovalev all scored first-period goals in Saturday's road meeting with the Islanders, but the Sens still went on to lose 5-3.
Brian Elliott gave up a trio of first-period goals himself on 13 shots and was pulled in favor of Robin Lehner, who made 23 saves but also took an elbowing penalty at the end of the second frame for hitting New York netminder Kevin Poulin as the two skated by each other at period's end.
Lehner was unapologetic afterwards even though his penalty help set up New York's winning goal.
"Their goalie was obviously upset and he had some things to say to me," Lehner said. "He came towards me and I won't back down. That's the way I am."
Ottawa lost its fourth straight on the road despite the return of Jason Spezza, who played for the first time since suffering a right shoulder injury on Dec. 26.
Matt Carkner hopes to return from a two-game absence due to a lower-body injury in the second contest of a four-game road trip tonight.
- OTTAWA: 2
VANCOUVER: 4
Final
Feb 8 12:23 AM - OTTAWA: 2
VANCOUVER: 3
End of 2nd
Feb 7 11:34 PM - Vancouver Goal - Mikael Samuelsson (12), from Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond at 2:12.
Senators 0, Canucks 3 2nd - 17:48Feb 7 11:04 PM - OTTAWA: 0
VANCOUVER: 2
End of 1st
Feb 7 10:44 PM - OTTAWA: 0
VANCOUVER: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Feb 7 10:08 PM
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