Sharks > Orcas

The Vancouver Canucks were looking to end their current 5 game homestand 4-1, but were unable to best the visiting San Jose Sharks.

If the contest could be encapsulated in a sentence, it would be that the Sharks’ special teams had a larger impact on the game.  While the Canucks had gone 4 for 5 opportunities the previous night versus Edmonton, they generated very few shots or chances against San Jose.

Steve Bernier tried in vain to poke the puck away from Evgeny Nabokov (AP Photo/THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sam Leung)

The Sharks proved why they have the top penalty killing in the league; the Canucks (2nd best power play) failed to generate a single shot in four power play attempts.  Coach Vigneault voiced some reasons as to why they lost the game.  “Obviously their penalty killing is real good, but our execution wasn’t there, and we weren’t able to generate anything…  in one on one situations along the wall and in front of the net I thought they were grittier than our guys and that’s why we lost this game.”

Alex Edler got his stick up on Joe Pavelski, and Dan Boyle scored on the ensuing power play

The game remained tight and up for grabs for a long stretch in the second period and most of the third.  But Joe Pavelski sprung Manny Malholtra after crossing the Canucks blue line, and he made a nice one-touch move to put it 5-hole on Luongo.

The Sharks hunger not quite satisfied, they capitalized 13 seconds later with another forced turnover, this time Willie Mitchell the culprit.  He got spun around trying to get rid of a dump in attempt by Jed Ortmeyer, and unintentionally put it right out front of Luongo’s crease for Jamie Mcginn to bury.

Derek Joslin gave Nabokov just enough of a look to stop Kyle Wellwoods' deflection (AP Photo/THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sam Leung)

Jannik Hansen scored a meaningless goal with 7 seconds remaining in the tilt.  Kyle Wellwood anticipated the Sharks’ breakout, and cut off a clearing attempt just inside the blueline.   Wellwood dished the puck to a checked Hansen who went to his knees, but made the one-time shot.

The Canucks will look to rebound on the road, where Wednesday they visit the Devils in New Jersey, who have been playing excellent hockey.