Captain, ‘O’ My Captain

With a 2-0 win over the visiting Edmonton Oilers Sunday night, captain Roberto Luongo etched his mark on Canuck history.

The 6’3, 205 lb Montreal, Quebec native made Canuck history this past summer, signing a 12 year, $64 M contract.  He went right back to the record book, after posting his 21st shutout as a Vancouver Canuck, passing ‘Captain’ Kirk McLean as the franchise leader.  “It’s not the most important thing that I have in mind, but we’ll take it and work toward better things in the future,” said Luongo.

Luongo has a knuckle-ball shot go overhead and hit the top of the net - photo courtesy of Yahoo! Sports

Luongo made 27 saves, and moved into a third place tie on the active list with Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose) for shutouts with 48.  Chris Osgood has 49, and Martin Brodeur (New Jersey) has 102.  “We’re really starting to play well as a team systems-wise and defensively, and that makes my job a lot easier.  I can focus on the shooter more than just challenge him and not worry about any of that back-door stuff,” Luongo added, about winning three straight for the first time this season.

Luongo makes two saves in succession, left leg, then left skate - with file from Yahoo! Sports

Michael Grabner provided more offence for the Canucks, adding his second marker on the powerplay at 17:51 of the first period.  Henrik Sedin bagged his first point in four games and his first goal since brother Daniel broke his foot.

The Canucks (6-5-0) next test is later tonight when they host the Detroit Red Wings (3-4-1-1) who haven’t had the start they wanted.  They’re coming off a 3-1 loss to the red-hot Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

notes: Canucks are still without Daniel Sedin (broken foot), Sami Salo (knee) and Pavol Demitra, who may miss the rest of the season due to another shoulder surgery.  Mathieu Schneider played his first game for the Canucks versus the Oilers.

"I've been feeling good and we're getting sharper and sharper. That's why there are so many results."