The Vancouver Canucks ended their five game win streak on Thursday night at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona with their 3-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes.
Thatcher Demko snapped his four-game win streak in net for Vancouver. Ivan Prosvetov started for the Coyotes. The 24-year-old picked up just his 6th career start in the NHL and his second of this season. He’s won them both.
Canucks Goal Scorer:
1st Period
1-0 Canucks – Even Strength – Andrei Kuzmenko (34) from Anthony Beauvillier and Elias Pettersson, 5:14
Tic tac toe passing for a finish on the doorstep off a blatant turnover on the far boards by rookie Coyotes defenceman Michael Kesselring.
— Travis Boyd would tie the game with 30-seconds remaining in the first period.
Turning Points
— By the midway point of the 2nd period the Canucks were 0-for-5 on the power play.
— At 12:44, Boyd scored his second goal of the game on the power play. Arizona was 1-for-2 at that point.
— At 1:19 of the 3rd period, Lawson Crouse made it 3-1 Coyotes with another power play goal.
3rd Period
3-2 Coyotes – Even Strength – Elias Pettersson (31) from Anthony Beauvillier and Conor Garland, 11:41
Stopped twice earlier in the shift, ‘Petey’ found himself alone in front with plenty of time to roof a wrister.
— The Canucks outshot the Coyotes 31-27. Power plays: Vancouver 0-for-5, Arizona 2-for-3.
Canucks Consolation Prize
Canucks fans should always be cognizant of the NHL Draft Lottery that’s coming up on May 8th. Every loss, even if they’re fewer and further between, potentially increases the odds of a small miracle. The worse a team’s record at the end of the season, the better the odds of winning the lottery and snagging the first overall pick in the draft.
One just never knows. Even with only a 3 to 6-percent chance, there’s always a chance, so losses are not a bad thing for Vancouver at this point.
As the evening ends, tie-breakers aside, Vancouver is tied for 7th worst with the St. Louis Blues and the Coyotes, who hurt themselves with the win. If the Canucks finish 8th worst, they’ll have a 6% chance at the top pick.
— The Canucks play Saturday night in LA against the Kings.
