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Kesler's hat trick leads Canucks over Wild

Apr 8, 2011 - 6:12 AM Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Ryan Kesler recorded his third career hat trick and Roberto Luongo made 29 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, as the Vancouver Canucks dominated the Minnesota Wild, 5-0.

Mason Raymond had a pair of goals for the Canucks, who bounced back from consecutive defeats to the Oilers.

Vancouver, which has already captured the Presidents' Trophy, will close out its regular season Saturday at Calgary.

"I don't like shutouts anyways, they're overrated, I've said all year long," Luongo said.

Niklas Backstrom stopped 18-of-23 shots for the Wild, who have lost three in a row. Jose Theodore replaced Backstrom in the third period and made five saves.

Minnesota plays at Edmonton on Friday before finishing its season Sunday at home against Dallas.

Raymond's goal at the 8:12 mark of the first period proved to be all Vancouver needed. After Minnesota turned the puck over at its own blue line, Raymond fired a wrister past Backstrom from the right circle.

Kesler's first goal of the night came on the power play with 28 seconds left in the opening stanza.

The Canucks built a 3-0 lead at the 7:20 mark of the middle frame. Kesler gathered the puck at center ice and charged down the right side, releasing a shot from the circle that got past Backstrom.

Raymond lit the lamp for a second time at the 9:11 mark to give Vancouver a 4-0 margin.

Kesler completed his hat trick just 2:18 into the third.

Game Notes

The Canucks took four of six from the Wild this season...The National Hockey League suspended Vancouver forward Raffi Torres four games without pay on Thursday, for an incident against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday...Minnesota went 0-for-4 on the power play...Luongo recorded his 55th career shutout on Thursday...Kesler has a career-high 40 goals this season.