Canucks are 6 points out of a playoff spot with 8 games left. THIS GAME IS A MUST WIN!
The Flames have already clinched a playoff spot.
James Neal is back for the Flames tonight. Sven Baertschi is supposedly available, but he won't be playing tonight. I'm glad to hear it. He has a history of concussions. I was wondering if his career was over.
Mike Smith vs Jacob Markstrom
I look at the Flames lineup and Canucks lineup and it's quite clear the Flames D is better than the Canucks. They also have more depth.
FIRST PERIOD
Boeser comes in on a 1 on 1- big wrist shot- big save by Smith. Good to see Boeser skating hard to start the game!
Giordano has 69 points, which is ridiculous at his age. He may win the Norris.
Great pace to start the game even though the Canucks get outplayed. There wasn't a stoppage in play for over 8 minutes to start the game! How often do you see that?
Both teams are surging- Flames are 5-0-1 in last 6 GP, Canucks are 4-0-1 in last 5 GP.
Giordano SCORES great pass from Ryan- it's Giordano's 70th point of the season- 9:44. Giordano becomes only the 3rd defenceman in NHL history to register 70 points. Other men to do it were Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Zubov.
Markstrom came to play tonight- he makes a big save off Frolik shortly after Giordano's goal. He keeps the Canucks in the game!
Canucks are getting outplayed. It's clear with their injuries the Canucks just don't have the depth to compete with a deep team like the Flames.
Edler- PENALTY- trip- 14:31- The Canucks actually go in on a 2 on 1! Biega gets a good chance but Smith makes a big save.
The Canucks have a good rebound shift after the penalty kill- Virtanen gets a good scoring chance- Smith makes the save.
END FIRST
The Hockey Night In Canada panel praises Giordano, and rightfully so.
SECOND PERIOD
The Canucks break out good- they have nice chances to start the period. They can't put a puck past Smith.
Horvat and Peterson are on pace for 30 goals this year- they should get better. That's one positive from this season.
Gaudreau leaves the game around 12:00- he high sticked himself right in the face! He later returns.
Hathaway SCORES- 11:08- off a backhand- Markstrom was screened.He got a piece off it, but it's not enough. Flames lead 2-0.
Both teams are playing really physical. They clearly don't like each other. This might be ag great future rivalry.
END SECOND
The Flames are 27-1 when leading after two periods. Not good.
THIRD PERIOD
Gaudreau PENALTY- 0:29 Trip- we'll see if this can get the Canucks into it.
Boeser SCORES- 0:38- Well, that didn't take long. A deflected wrist shot! Edler and Pettersson with assists.
Pettersson now has 9 points in 5 GP against the Flames.
The Canucks are playing ok- both teams are exchanging chances.
Mangiapane SCORES- 7:25- one timer snapshot- Giordano with another assist
Pettersson PENALTY- 9:39- interference- Uh, oh.
Giordano PENALTY- 9:39- interference- well, that PP didn't last long for the Flames.
4 on 4 for 1:40!
Tkachuk goes in on a breakaway- big save Markstrom!- Why, oh why didn't the Canucks take him instead of Olli Juolevi that draft year?!?
Both teams are duking it out. No quit in the Canucks, but it's quite clear the Canucks just don't have the depth gar Flames have as the game plods on.
3;00 left- Canucks pull Markstrom.
Edler PENALTY- goalie interference- 18:24- it's all over but the crying.
Blah.
Canucks lose 3-1. Big blow to the Canucks playoff chances.
The draft lotto will be the Canucks Stanley Cup yet again this season.
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