|
Looks like the book has not yet closed on the Vancouver Canucks' 2016-17 season. One day after hanging on for a win over the Los Angeles Kings, Richard Bachman was spectacular in net with 43 saves as the Vancouver Canucks swept the Southern California portion of their road trip with a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
Here are your highlights:
Let's start with the good stuff—like the fact that this weekend marked the first time all year that the Canucks strung together two straight wins on the road!
Also, making his first NHL start in 17 months, the 29-year-old journeyman Bachman had plenty of personal motivation to make a good showing.
It's not about the money—Bachman's on a one-way contract that pays him $575,000 this season whether he plays at the NHL levels or in the minors.
He signed a one-year extension last July that'll take him through the 2017-18 season that carries a $650,000 NHL salary and $450,000 in the minors. The plan is that he'll be the goalie the Canucks are required to expose to Las Vegas in the expansion draft, while protecting Jacob Markstrom. As good as Bachman looked last night, I don't expect anything will change on that front.
The Canucks will enjoy a day off today, then kick off a nicely spaced-out five-game homestand on Tuesday, starting with the Montreal Canadiens. I imagine Ryan Miller will probably carry most, if not all, of that workload.
The physical Ducks make teams pay the price when they visit the Honda Center. On Sunday, Loui Eriksson was the victim. After a strong game playing with Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi on Saturday at Staples Center, Eriksson left the game just 2:52 into the first period on Sunday with what appeared to be a knee injury.
Watching Eriksson unable to get to his feet on his own, then putting no weight on his left leg, it's not hard to imagine that this could be the last time we see him this season. His first year with the Canucks certainly hasn't lived up to expectations after he was signed to a six-year contract with a cap hit of $6 million per season as an unrestricted free agent last summer.
Early word, though, is that maybe the injury may not be as bad as it looked...
Short term, Eriksson's injury necessitated 57 minutes of line-juggling by coach Willie Desjardins. After coming under fire from the Twitterverse for his limited use of Nikolay Goldobin against the Kings on Saturday, Willie went ahead and put the flashy rookie into Eriksson's spot with Horvat and Baertschi—with positive results.
Goldobin finished up on Sunday with 12:41 of ice time, including 2:07 on the power play, also in Eriksson's spot. He had two shots on goal, one missed shot—and made a smart defensive decision on Vancouver's first goal of game. Goldobin hung back at the point to cover for a roaming Alex Biega as he carried the puck deep into the Anaheim zone, then moved to the net as Biega returned to his position, passing in front of Jonathan Bernier while Bo Horvat was shovelling the puck into the net for his 20th of the year.
You can see Goldobin starting to move in just as this clip begins. I believe he also originally advanced the puck out of the defensive zone to start the sequence.
I'm probably as excited by this defensive awareness as I was by his slick goal on Saturday in L.A. I was also pleased to see him making some sharp, hard passes over the course of the game. At one point, he caught an unprepared Luca Sbisa by surprise, causing the puck to bounce off Sbisa's stick, but the execution looked good from Goldobin's side.
The game-winning goal was scored by Markus Granlund off the rush midway through the second period—an individual effort that he put right through Bernier for his 17th of the year.
After the Canucks' disappointing effort to kick off post trade-deadline life in San Jose last Thursday, I was worried that we were going to see a disheartened team mail it in for the last 20 games of the season. I'm really impressed to see that wasn't the case on the weekend. That buy-in we keep talking about from the players is still there—they're still playing hard.
With Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen gone, Bo Horvat has taken his leadership role to the next level. It's visible on the ice, with his drive and his scoring. It's also visible in smaller ways—he's now the guy who's standing by the bench giving high-fives and keeping his teammates pumped up. And the previously quiet youngster is stepping up behind the cameras and the microphones, preaching messages of hope and insisting that the even the playoffs could still be within reach.
After seeing the Sedins with their chins dragging on the ground earlier this week after Burrows and Hansen were shipped out, I've been blown away by the fact that Horvat now has the confidence and desire to step up and keep the tone positive.
The St. Louis Blues snapped their five-game losing streak on Sunday, so they've reclaimed the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. That means the Canucks are still six points back but they did leapfrog the Dallas Stars on Sunday, so only two teams are now in their way—L.A. and Winnipeg.
SportsClubStats still pegs the Canucks' playoff odds at an infinitesimal 0.6 percent, so there's no need to start clearing time on your April schedule just yet. But I like to see this battle level and I love the fact that Horvat is continuing to push himself down the stretch. He's got good reason, too, as he's playing for that new contract that'll be drawn up this summer.
Hopefully this also means we'll see some good hockey on the upcoming homestand. The Canucks are entertaining some quality opponents over the next two weeks—Montreal, the Islanders, Pittsburgh, Boston and Dallas.
Today at 5:54 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic and Barzani discuss the results of Sudanese’s visit to the United Stat
Today at 5:53 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Finance is "dizzy"... An expert points out a "lapse" in the budget schedules: Februa
Today at 5:49 am by Rocky
» Sudanese Advisor: The 2024 budget has entered into force... and there is no need to send its schedul
Today at 5:43 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi dinar is recovering against the US dollar in local markets
Today at 5:42 am by Rocky
» Iraq.. The claim that OPEC’s decisions affect oil derivatives only and not crude is “inaccurate”
Today at 5:39 am by Rocky
» Al-Bawi: Erdogan failed in his promises to his people and seeks to plunge Iraq into its conflict wit
Today at 5:37 am by Rocky
» The Sudanese and his battle against corruption.. Where is the fault with the government or with the
Today at 5:36 am by Rocky
» Amnesty International criticizes Iraq's implementation of 13 death sentences
Today at 5:34 am by Rocky
» The ambassador is very angry with Parliament: The homosexuality law obstructs the government and har
Today at 5:33 am by Rocky
» Al-Mandalawi: There is no place for homosexuality in the Iraq of the prophets and saints, and that i
Today at 5:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives the President of the University: Towards the strength and status of the Arab syst
Today at 5:31 am by Rocky
» Ayed Al-Hilali: All leaders are discussing “the finer details of Sudanese” tonight, and Barzani join
Today at 5:30 am by Rocky
» He announced the reception of offers from three alliances from international companies for the Baghd
Today at 5:28 am by Rocky
» During his meeting with the head of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate... Al-Amiri stresses the importa
Today at 5:26 am by Rocky
» To address the dollar exchange rate... Mazhar Muhammad explains the risks of floating the Iraqi dina
Today at 5:25 am by Rocky
» During the launch of the Arab Labor Conference in its 50th session in Baghdad... Al-Sudani: We launc
Today at 5:24 am by Rocky
» Saudi Arabia announces an increase in direct flights with Iraq
Today at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Resources: Government measures have contributed to improving the water situation in Iraq
Today at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Al-Sadr: The voice of American universities calling for an end to Zionist terrorism is our voice
Today at 5:21 am by Rocky
» International organization: 50% of displaced Iraqis lack official documents
Today at 5:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The path of development will provide many job opportunities
Today at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Parliament Finance: The necessity of converting tax and customs revenues to digital processing
Today at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani announces that clues have been found to uncover those involved in the Kormor bombing
Today at 5:16 am by Rocky
» The start of the work of the Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers will suspend official working hours next Wednesday
Today at 5:07 am by Rocky
» An almost complete outage of water and electricity in western Anbar
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary expectations of extending the legislative term to approve the budget
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Education: The cost of participating in the electronic school will amount to 200 thousand dinars
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani arrives in Riyadh to participate in the World Economic Forum
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» A newspaper reveals a dark world that brings together bloggers and politicians
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Al-Marsoumi: The bombing of the Kormor field undermined efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in gas
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/24/24 Support - USA- Turkey - Timing- Currency Value - Tabled
Yesterday at 3:18 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/26/24 Iraqi Dinar - US Treasury Exchange Rates- Focus - Banking Partnerships - Rate C
Yesterday at 3:17 pm by Rocky
» Parliamentary efforts to transform Iraq into a global market for transferring Internet capacities
Yesterday at 3:07 pm by Rocky
» A parliamentary committee that enriches the political forces: Stop plundering Iraq’s wealth and work
Yesterday at 2:56 pm by Rocky
» Politician: Salem Al-Issawi is the most likely to assume the presidency of Parliament
Yesterday at 2:55 pm by Rocky
» The price of the dollar is close to 145 thousand dinars؛ how much is $100 worth of transactions؟
Yesterday at 12:57 pm by wciappetta
» Al-Sudani: The world today is witnessing crises whose impact has been reflected in the global econo
Yesterday at 10:50 am by Rocky
» The Federal Court responds to an inquiry by Al-Sudani regarding the powers of the provincial council
Yesterday at 10:40 am by Rocky
» Among them are the Iraqis... a list of the most sought-after immigrants to America
Yesterday at 10:38 am by Rocky
» An expert talks about the "biggest barrier" and the positives of merging Iraqi and Arab banks
Yesterday at 10:29 am by Rocky
» The House of Representatives adjourns its session
Yesterday at 10:24 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary demands to expedite the legislation of the Eid al-Ghadir holiday law (documents)
Yesterday at 10:23 am by Rocky
» Parliament adds the paragraph “Electing the Speaker of the House of Representatives” to its agenda
Yesterday at 10:21 am by Rocky
» Alsumaria publishes the text of the law against prostitution and homosexuality
Yesterday at 10:20 am by Rocky
» A parliamentarian reveals the reason for the failure of the Speaker of Parliament to pass during tod
Yesterday at 10:19 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The government has launched many strategies and initiatives that will improve the reality
Yesterday at 9:42 am by Rocky
» International Business: Iraq has made progress in supporting businesses through investment and priva
Yesterday at 9:33 am by Rocky
» Association of Banks: Iraq is witnessing great development in the transition to electronic governmen
Yesterday at 9:25 am by Rocky
» The House of Representatives votes to add an item to its agenda (election of the Speaker of the Hous
Yesterday at 9:22 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary integrity: Combating corruption requires parliamentary legislation
Yesterday at 9:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Karaawi: America is trying to restrict Iraq
Yesterday at 9:13 am by Rocky
» The State of Law coalition moves to form the local government in Diyala
Yesterday at 9:12 am by Rocky
» The Sudanese and his battle against corruption.. Where is the fault with the government or with the
Yesterday at 9:11 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister's Advisor: We will see the dollar fall on the black market soon
Yesterday at 9:09 am by Rocky
» The Sunni blocs are resolute. The presidency of the Council is ours, away from Al-Halbousi
Yesterday at 9:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani discusses with a workers’ organization his government’s steps in this field
Yesterday at 8:58 am by Rocky
» Parliament holds its session in the presence of 170 deputies
Yesterday at 8:57 am by Rocky
» In the presence of Nechirvan Barzani and Al-Sudani... the State Administration Coalition holds an “i
Yesterday at 8:55 am by Rocky
» The UAE company ADNOC resorts to Iraqi oil. Find out the reasons
Yesterday at 8:53 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Parliament votes to add an item to elect a president to its agenda
Yesterday at 8:52 am by Rocky
» The Federal Court responds to an inquiry by Al-Sudani regarding the powers of the provincial council
Yesterday at 8:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: It is necessary to attract women to work as a productive energy that cannot be disrupted
Yesterday at 8:47 am by Rocky
» Zebari regarding targeting the Kormor field: a systematic attack on the economy of Kurdistan
Yesterday at 8:46 am by Rocky
» Saudi Arabia tops, and this is Iraq's rank... a list of major suppliers of crude oil to South Korea
Yesterday at 8:45 am by Rocky
» With a value of 125 million dollars.. Iraq is at the forefront of countries importing Iranian textil
Yesterday at 8:44 am by Rocky
» More than a billion dollars in sales from the Iraqi Central Bank within a week
Yesterday at 8:43 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the need for the expertise of the International Labor Organization to legislate a
Yesterday at 8:29 am by Rocky
» Including the return of 21 wanted persons.. The Iraq Money Recovery Fund counts its achievements in
Yesterday at 8:27 am by Rocky
» The path to development is the criterion between true patriotism and political clowning.
Yesterday at 8:25 am by Rocky
» The file of the Presidency of Parliament is on the state administration table... this evening
Yesterday at 8:22 am by Rocky
» Director General of the International Labor Organization: Many challenges in the world of work and t
Yesterday at 8:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The world is witnessing crises that reflect negatively on the Arab and international peop
Yesterday at 8:11 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: Our government has provided great support for the success of the activities, program
Yesterday at 8:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Asadi: Iraq places the social protection file among its priorities
Yesterday at 8:07 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is one of the first countries in the region to join the International Labor Organiza
Yesterday at 8:05 am by Rocky
» In the presence of Al-Sudani and Barzani, the State Administration Coalition holds an “important” me
Yesterday at 8:03 am by Rocky
» Appreciating the presence of Al-Sudani... Director General of the Arab Labor Organization: Here from
Yesterday at 6:29 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: Our government has provided great support for the success of the activities, program
Yesterday at 6:28 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The world is witnessing crises that reflect negatively on the Arab and international peop
Yesterday at 6:24 am by Rocky
» The Parliamentary Development Institute organizes a workshop on the political role of the representa
Yesterday at 6:22 am by Rocky
» With Arab and international participation. Tomorrow will be the start of the Fourth Baghdad Internat
Yesterday at 6:21 am by Rocky
» OPEC Secretary General: The end of oil is not on the horizon
Yesterday at 6:19 am by Rocky
» Closing a number of unlicensed offices and companies south of Baghdad
Yesterday at 6:16 am by Rocky
» Repercussions of the bombing...intensive government movements to resume work in the “Kormor” field
Yesterday at 6:15 am by Rocky
» In the presence of Al-Sudani...the opening of the Arab Labor Conference in its 50th session in Baghd
Yesterday at 6:14 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We are working on drawing future visions regarding the “green and digital” economic secto
Yesterday at 6:13 am by Rocky
» Barzani after the Kormor attack: We are ready to coordinate with Baghdad to put an end to these atta
Yesterday at 6:10 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs the formation of an investigative committee into the circumstances of the Kormo fi
Yesterday at 6:08 am by Rocky
» Bismayah is confused about the new electronic portal.. What about the landlord and the subcontracts?
Yesterday at 6:07 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan Government: Loss of 2,500 megawatts of electricity due to targeting the Kormor field
Yesterday at 6:06 am by Rocky
» Crisis in Kurdistan: 12-hour daily power outage and complaints of “confusion”
Yesterday at 6:05 am by Rocky
» The Supreme Anti-Corruption Commission demands Nineveh for the contracts concluded by “Najm Al-Jubou
Yesterday at 6:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Khanjar, Al-Samarrai, and Abu Mazen are hosted by Shaalan Al-Karim to discuss accelerating the se
Yesterday at 6:03 am by Rocky
» Iraq asks the countries of the world to respond to its requests to extradite wanted persons: We have
Yesterday at 6:02 am by Rocky
» “It is coming soon.” The Sudanese advisor sets the date for the referral of the Baghdad metro and th
Yesterday at 6:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Mubarqa: Iraq reserves its full right to respond to the Australian behavior
Yesterday at 6:00 am by Rocky
» Dollar exchange rates on Iraqi stock exchanges... recorded a decline, and this is the list
Yesterday at 5:58 am by Rocky