The Vancouver Canucks gained ground in the Western Conference playoff race while sitting still.
The Seattle Kraken, now the third place team in the Pacific Division with 35 points, lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 on Thursday night and no longer have a game in hand on the Canucks. Both Seattle and Vancouver have played 29 times and the Kraken are six points ahead of the BC boys.
The Canucks have played one less game than the Calgary Flames and one more than the Colorado Avalanche, teams both holding 32 points and tied for the 2nd wild card spot.
Calgary plays Friday night. The Canucks are off the game calendar again, practising Friday on the UBC campus before hosting the much improved Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night.
While we wait …
Let’s Skate!
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost and MItch Marner’s 23-game point streak came to an end on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in New York as the Leafs dropped one to the Rangers 3-1.
Toronto, tied with the third highest point total in the NHL with 44, hadn’t lost in regulation in 16 games.
Vince Trocheck had two assists to reach 400 career NHL points, former Canucks forward Jimmy Vesey scored two goals and goalie Igor Shesterkin made 22 saves for the win.
Greatness
Speaking of streaks, the Washington Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin saw their five game win streak come to an end Thursday evening at the hands of the Dallas Stars 2-1.
Ovie remains at 800 career goals, one behind the great Gordie Howe, who tallied his 801 during his legendary career with the Detroit Red Wings and his brief stint playing with his sons and the Hartford Whalers.
Ovechkin had a hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this week to get to 800. His next chance to tie and/or pass “Mr. Hockey” will come Saturday night while hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Enjoy the Hockey Action!!
