Final
Canucks seek division title in meeting with Avalanche
Mar 16, 2011 - 2:40 PM (Sports Network) - Given how tight the NHL standings are, there is a good chance many of the league's playoff spots won't be claimed until the final games of the season.The NHL-leading Canucks are certainly an exception to that scenario.
Needing just a point to clinch its third straight Northwest Division title, Vancouver aims for a seventh straight victory this evening, when it hosts the lowly Colorado Avalanche at Rogers Arena.
The Canucks became the first team in the NHL to reach the 100-point mark this season, reaching 101 points with Monday's home victory over Minnesota. Vancouver is eight points ahead of Philadelphia for the NHL lead and is 11 in front of Detroit for the Western Conference's top seed.
Vancouver also owns a 20-point edge over second-place Calgary in the Northwest Division with 11 games to play and is four points further up on third-place Minnesota, meaning Vancouver needs just a point tonight to secure its third straight playoff berth.
The Canucks will try to continue their success against the Avalanche tonight after taking four of the five meetings so far this season. Colorado did post an overtime win the last time the clubs met on Jan. 18 in Denver.
Vancouver has taken eight of 10 and nine out of 12 overall in the series and the Avs have dropped two straight and four of their last five in British Columbia.
Colorado has not fared well against anybody recently, as the Avs are seeded 14th out of 15 teams in the West and enter tonight having dropped eight straight and 18 of their last 19 contests.
Vancouver kicked off its three-game homestand by beating the Wild, 4-2, on Monday. The victory improved the Canucks' home record to 24-7-5 this season.
Ryan Kesler scored twice and Roberto Luongo made 33 saves to help the Canucks take Monday's game against Minnesota. Daniel Sedin and Raffi Torres each had a goal for the Canucks.
"We got the three goals and we knew they were going to push," said Luongo. "They're a desperate club over there and we were able to weather the storm."
Vancouver, which has reached 100 points in each of the past three seasons, can post their second-longest winning streak of the season with a victory tonight. The Canucks won eight in a row from Dec. 23-Jan. 7.
Vancouver could be without defenseman Sami Salo tonight. He is day-to-day with a left arm injury after getting hit by a shot versus the Wild.
The Avalanche were on the wrong end of a 4-2 decision in their last test, losing on the road this past Saturday in Nashville. Martin Erat and Joel Ward each had a goal and an assist in the Predators' victory at Bridgestone Arena.
Daniel Winnik and Ryan O'Reilly each lit the lamp for the Avs, who last won on Feb. 22 in St. Louis. Peter Budaj yielded three goals on 28 shots in the losing effort.
This evening's tilt marks the second stop on a four-game road trip for Colorado, which has lost five straight away from the Mile High City. The Avs are just 12-17-4 as the guest this season.
- COLORADO: 2
VANCOUVER: 4
Final
Mar 17 12:31 AM - Vancouver Empty Net Goal - Henrik Sedin (18), at 18:46.
Avalanche 2, Canucks 4 3rd - 1:14Mar 17 12:29 AM - COLORADO: 2
VANCOUVER: 1
End of 2nd
Mar 16 11:36 PM - COLORADO: 2
VANCOUVER: 0
End of 1st
Mar 16 10:43 PM - Colorado Power-Play Goal - Erik Johnson (8), at 11:20.
Avalanche 1, Canucks 0 1st - 8:40Mar 16 10:27 PM - COLORADO: 0
VANCOUVER: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Mar 16 10:08 PM
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