Vancouver Canucks D Larsen Scores First Goal, Marleau Scores 500th

The Vancouver Canucks witnessed another career milestone, as Patrick Marleau’s scored his 500th goal. The Sharks went on to win 4-1.

The Vancouver Canucks have a habit of giving up milestone goals.

Four players, including Wayne Gretzky and Joe Sakic, scored their 500th career goal against Vancouver. And now you can add a fifth name to that list: Patrick Marleau.

Less than two weeks ago, the Rogers Arena crowd saw Henrik Sedin score point no. 1000 and help his team to a win. This time they watched the San Jose Sharks hit a milestone and win the game.

Final Score:

Recap:

Marleau got his career goal out the way just 9:30 into the game:

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With Troy Stecher sitting in the penalty box, Brent Burns collected the puck in his own zone. He then fired an amazing two-line (at least) pass to Joe Pavelski.

Chris Tanev moved to check Pavelski, but the Sharks’ current captain quickly moved the puck to the stick of their former captain. (No, not Joe Thornton. The captain before him).

With plenty of open ice Marleau did what he had already done 499 times before. His quick wrist shot beat Ryan Miller stick side for number 500.

The Canucks, meanwhile, struggled through most of the first period. San Jose seemed to pin them in their own zone at will, and several key giveaways by Vancouver defensemen did not help matters.

Their best chance of the first period came off a brilliant rush by Sven Baertschi:

Baertschi could not bury the chance. Before the period ended, the Sharks’ Chris Tierney put his team up 2-0:

Vancouver picked up their game in the second period. The top line of Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Loui Eriksson were particularly strong, combining for eight total shots on the evening.

Their team outshot San Jose 16-11 in the second, but could not solve goaltender Martin Jones.

Early in the third, Burns gave the Sharks a 3-0 lead:

However, after that the Canucks were able to their first goal since the third period against the Colorado Avalanche. And it was also a milestone goal, albeit not as significant as Marleau’s.

Philip Larsen, in just his second game back from a concussion, scored his first in a Vancouver jersey:

Up until his goal, Larsen had been heavily criticized on social media for his play in the defensive zone. But once he scored Vancouver’s only goal, fans quickly forgave him.

Unfortunately, San Jose soon restored their three-goal lead. Tierney’s second goal of the game was initially waved off due to goaltender interference. But Sharks coach Peter DeBoer challenged, and the NHL soon determined Joel Ward did not interfere with Miller making the save.

You be the judge:

In any case, the goal counted, and the Sharks swam to a 4-1 victory.

Next: Eriksson Dominates but Can't Score vs. SJ

The Vancouver Canucks’ schedule will continue to challenge them, as the Minnesota Wild come to town on Saturday. They will try to win their 24th game and stay afloat in the wild card race.