WTF was that?
The Vancouver Canucks jumped out to an early lead but were blasted by the Canadiens on Saturday in a 4-1 loss at Rogers Arena. Carey Price kept the Habs in the game during a busy first period allowing Blake Geoffrion to respond in the second, deflecting his first as a Canadien past Roberto Luongo.
The Hat Trick
Kesler
Ryan Kesler had another strong game from Vancouver’s American Express line alongside David Booth and Chris Higgins on Saturday, ripping home his 21st of the season past Carey Price midway through the first period.
As the Sedins continue to struggle offensively Kesler and company have been doing their best to keep up the slack, but the Canucks simply cannot survive as a one-line team.
The ability to roll two top scoring lines will be key for Alain Vigneault and the Canucks heading into the playoffs once the twins can turn it around.
Cole
Erik Cole scored a pair of goals on Saturday, putting home his own rebound twice to beat Roberto Luongo while streaking down the right wing. Luongo will want back both of Cole’s goals, but had reason to complain with his defence who continued to allow the Canadiens into the zone with ease.
Cole’s second goal of the night occurred only 13 seconds into the third period after a costly breakdown on the blue line allowed Cole in on goal.
Subban
The Canucks were caught running around in their own zone early in the third period, leading to back-to-back delay of game penalties by Chris Higgins and Alex Edler.
With a length 5-on-3 power play to work with, Andrei Markov and the Habs set up around Roberto Luongo allowing PK Subban to unleash a bomb from the top of left circle for his 7th of the season.
The Nucks were caught running around too much! - (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Subban has a huge game for the Habs, tormenting the Canucks with his patented brand of physical hockey before he broke through for the insurance goal in the third.
V’s Thoughts
The Canucks came out strong in the first period but couldn’t break away against the Canadiens, allowing Erik Cole and the Habs to take over in the final forty minutes.
Zack Kassian did his best to send a message to his team with a second period scrap against Brad Staubitz, but couldn’t awake the Canucks in another rough game for the home crowd at Rogers Arena.
Quote
“No, no, AV has got to do something.” Henrik Sedin was honest was asked about Alain Vigneault’s splitting up of the twins during Saturday’s third period.
Three Stars
1st. Carey Price - SAVE PCTG: 0.970
2nd. Erik Cole - GOALS: 2| PTS: 2| ASST: 0 SOG: 6| PLUS/MINUS: 2
3rd. P.K. Subban - GOALS: 1| PTS: 1| ASST: 0 SOG: 2| PLUS/MINUS: 1
Recaps
BOXSCORE | Q’s POST GAME RECAP
Montreal 4, Vancouver 1
When: 10:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 10, 2012
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Referees: Dave Jackson, Kevin Pollock
Linesmen: Jay Sharrers, Brad Lazarowich
Attendance: 18890
About Kevin Vanstone
