Final
Canucks host Oilers, aim to clinch West's top seed
Apr 7, 2012 - 3:32 PM (Sports Network) - Although they locked up the Northwest Division title two weeks ago, the Vancouver Canucks will have something to play for on the final day of the regular season, as they host the lowly Edmonton Oilers tonight at Rogers Arena.The Canucks will continue their fight for the top seed in the West and the Presidents' Trophy when they take the ice tonight. Vancouver can lock up the top seed in the conference with a point in tonight's game or a loss by St. Louis in its regular-season finale against Dallas.
Vancouver also enters the final day of the NHL's regular season tied with the New York Rangers for the league's best record at 109 points. The Rangers, who host Washington tonight, hold the tiebreaker over the Canucks and can claim the Presidents' Trophy with a win over the Capitals.
Not surprisingly, Vancouver has gotten the better of the last-place Oilers this season, winning four of the five matchups between the Northwest Division foes. The Canucks have won eight of 11 overall in this series and Edmonton has lost in seven of its last eight trips to Vancouver.
The Canucks had their longest winning streak of the season snapped in their last contest, dropping a 3-2 regulation decision in Calgary to halt a seven- game tear. Mike Cammalleri scored twice in the third period to help lift the Flames to the win and deal Vancouver its first regulation defeat since March 19.
Alexandre Burrows and Jannik Hansen lit the lamp for Vancouver, while Cory Schneider made 25 saves in the loss.
"They really took it to us in the third and scored three goals," said Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault.
The Canucks are finishing the regular season with six of their last seven games at home. Vancouver has a strong 26-10-4 record as the host this year.
Vancouver is still without forward Daniel Sedin, who will miss his ninth straight game with a concussion. There is still no timetable for Sedin's return and he is expected to miss at least the start of his team's opening playoff series.
Canucks forward Zack Kassian is also questionable for tonight after missing the last game with an upper-body injury.
The Oilers will miss the playoffs for a sixth straight season and enter the final day of the campaign having lost two straight and four of their last five games. Edmonton was dealt an overtime loss by visiting Anaheim on Thursday, as Ryan Getzlaf scored 1:12 into the extra session to lift the Ducks to a 3-2 decision.
Sam Gagner and Jordan Eberle both scored for the Oilers, who dropped their final four home games of the season and ended the year with an 18-17-6 record at Rexall Place. Devan Dubnyk gave up all three goals on 17 shots.
The Oilers have a dismal 14-22-4 record on the road this year.
- EDMONTON: 0
VANCOUVER: 3
Final
Apr 8 12:32 AM - Vancouver Goal - Samuel Pahlsson (4), from Jannik Hansen at 3:14.
Oilers 0, Canucks 2 3rd - 16:46Apr 8 12:02 AM - EDMONTON: 0
VANCOUVER: 1
End of 2nd
Apr 7 11:39 PM - EDMONTON: 0
VANCOUVER: 0
End of 1st
Apr 7 10:45 PM - EDMONTON: 0
VANCOUVER: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Apr 7 10:10 PM
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