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5 Games the Canucks Lost… But Shouldn’t Have

Cam Davie
12 years ago
alt
Cory Schneider makes a couple of appearances in today’s list.
Rookie blunders? Or a team not quite prepared in front of him? YOU MAKE THE CALL.
(Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Throughout every season, there are always games that a team should win but didn’t. And there are always games that a team shouldn’t win but they manage to squeak it out.
Today we look at the top 5 games that the Canucks should have won, but managed to let it slip anyway.
5.
13 JAN 2011 – VAN @ NYR
NYR 1 – 0 VAN
The Rangers blanked the high-flying Canucks, ending Vancouver 17-game regulation unbeaten streak thanks to a single goal from Wojtek Wolski.
Why They Shouldn’t Have Lost
The Canucks were far more disciplined than normal but took three straight penalties, seeing the Rangers capitalize on their second power play of the game. The Canucks dominated at even strength (+15 EV CORSI) , and won the faceoff battle 55-45. But Lundqvist stood tall and guided his team to the shutout win.
4.
11 DEC 2010 – TBL @ VAN
TBY 5 – 4 VAN (OT)
The Lightning ruined Markus Naslund’s jersey retirement night, thanks to Steve Stamkos and a late high-sticking penalty to Ryan Kesler.
Why They Shouldn’t Have Lost
The Canucks just barely outshot the Lightning (27-23) but noticeably outchanced them, when you look at EV CORSI (+11 differential). Physically, Vancouver had a distinct advantage (23-13 in hits) as well. And the Canucks rocked the faceoff dot, winning 64% of the draws, led again by Kesler and Malhotra. A high-sticking penalty to Ryan Kesler late in the third period carried over into OT, where Stamkos iced it for the visitors.
3.
22 FEB 2011 – MTL @ VAN
MTL 3 – 2 VAN
The Canadiens broke a decade-long winless streak in Vancouver, despite being thoroughly outplayed and outchanced, all thanks to BC native Carey Price.
Why They Shouldn’t Have Lost
The Canucks outshot the Habs 39-25, and utterly dominated in EV CORSI stats as well (+14 differential in favour of Vancouver).  The Canucks also obliterated the Canadiens in the faceoff circle (64-36), led by Ryan Kesler, who went an unfathomable 25-4 (86%) in faceoffs. The Habs only mustered 9 shots in the final 40 minutes, holding on for dear life as the Canucks peppered Price with 27 shots in that same time. It was all for naught as the Habs hung on, thanks to Price’s brilliant performance.
2.
22 JAN 2011 – VAN @ CGY
CGY 4 -3 VAN (SO)
The Canucks lost on a winning shootout goal that was counted thanks to common sense and logic, rather than the actual letter of the rulebook. Roberto Luongo carried the shootout goal into his own net, despite not being seen by the refs or video review. But it was damn obvious what happened and the Canucks lost.
Why They Shouldn’t Have Lost
First there’s the final shootout goal. Again, logically and sensibly, it was absolutely the right call. But by the letter of the rulebook, it should not have counted. Whatever… poTAYto, poTAHto.
Ok, then there’s the rest of the game. The Canucks  outshot the Flames 44-33, including 7-1 in overtime. They completely dominated at even strength (+18 EV CORSI), killed it in the faceoff circle (62-38). But they got burned by Tim Jackman (1G 1A 2Pts) and logic and common sense.
1.
9 FEB 2011 – ANA @ VAN
ANA 4 – 3 VAN
In a battle of the backups, Cory Schneider gave up two goals in 46 seconds in the second period, and the Canucks couldn’t find the net behind McElhinney in enough time to pull out a victory.
Why They Shouldn’t Have Lost
Well first, the Ducks started Curtis McElhinney, so the Canucks should have won based on that fact alone. However, the Canucks should have won because of their play that night. They dominated play from start to finish, outshot (38-24, including 28-11 in the last two periods), completely outchanced (+25 EV CORSI), and out-specialteamed (is that a word?) them all game long. But two goals from Bobby Ryan were enough to hold the Canucks at bay, despite a very late effort from Ryan Kesler to bring the score within 1.

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