Vancouver Canucks F Bo Horvat Scores Career-High 41st Point vs. Sharks

The Vancouver Canucks’ leading scorer played on a line with Sven Baertschi and Loui Eriksson, which could be a potent combination going forward.

Just five days ago, the Vancouver Canucks lost 4-1 to these San Jose Sharks.

Back then they were still recovering from the mumps, and were missing regulars Chris Tanev, Luca Sbisa, Troy Stecher, and Markus Granlund. They had all of those players in the lineup tonight, plus Sven Baertschi, who returned from a concussion.

But, they also subtracted veterans Alexandre Burrows and Jannik Hansen, who were traded away this week. Burrows scored twice in his debut for the Ottawa Senators, while Hansen was not available for San Jose this game.

So, with all the additions and subtractions to and from the Canucks lineup, what was the result?

They lost 3-1 instead of 4-1.

Final Score:

Player of the Game:

Bo Horvat struck first for Vancouver:

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/837512182086549505

More from The Canuck Way

• Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
• What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
• Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
• Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
• 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg

The goal came on the power play off a great pinch from Ben Hutton. Horvat deflected his centering pass past Aaron Dell. That goal sets a new career high in points for Horvat, who now has 41 on the season.

Horvat was partnered with Loui Eriksson and the now-healthy Sven Baertschi for tonight’s game. Though none of Vancouver’s forward lines looked particularly good tonight, they were probably the best. Together, they combined for four shots out of just 18 total for the Canucks.

Joseph Cramarossa made a good impression in his first game with Vancouver, after being acquired on waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. Midway through the first period, he had a spirited fight with Micheal Haley:

After that, the Sharks took over the game, and the Canucks were never able to regain their feet.

First, Mikkel Boedker tied the game in the first period:

Then in the second period, Marcus Sorensen scored his first career goal:

Still in the second period, Logan Couture put his team up 3-1, which was all San Jose needed to secure the win.

For the first time in 16 straight Canucks-Sharks matchups, the home team won. But, on the bright side, Ryan Miller and the Canucks denied Joe Thornton career assist number 1000:

Miller also made a nifty stop on Chris Tierney‘s penalty shot attempt:

Next: Benning Wins Deadline, Starts Rebuild

So, the Vancouver Canucks will retain their coveted “moral victory” championship.

But moral victories are all they could muster tonight. They fall to a 26-30-7 record. Their California road trip continues in Los Angeles on Saturday.