Perhaps there was a reason the Canucks let Radim Vrbata go, after all. In a game with significant draft lottery implications, the Canucks and Arizona Coyotes squared off in the desert in the biggest tank battle since at least 1943. The former Canuck shined, netting two goals and an assist as the Coyotes triumphed 4-3. More importantly, however, the win vaulted the Coyotes ahead of the Canucks in the overall NHL standings. Arizona has played one more contest (but some might say it even holds a game in hand), and the Canucks will finish the season with a weekend home-and-home with the Edmonton Oilers. As a result, the Canucks will (cough) control its destiny in attempting to secure the second-best draft lottery odds.

Canuck draftists got an early boost when noted offensive dynamo Luke Schenn pounced on a loose rebound in front of Ryan Miller. The goal also happened to be his first in 100 games, and the 51st time this season the Canucks have surrendered the first goal.

The Canucks would fight back, however, evening the score less than two minutes later on a mid-air effort by Nikolay Goldobin. The Sedins would work the puck out of the cycle before Goldobin batted a floating puck past Coyotes goaltender Louis Domingue.

Early in the middle frame, former Canucks sniper Radim Vrbata would pot home a rebound off the end boards to once again give the Coyotes the lead.

The Coyotes would double their lead on a beautiful passing play with the man advantage. Vrbata would find Max Domi in the slot, who would one-touch the puck over to Alex Goligoski at the right point. The blueliner would immediately find Alex Burmistrov at the far side of the goal, leaving the Russian with an easy tap-in.

Later in the second period, on yet another power play, Radim Vrbata would continue padding his stats agains his former team with his second goal of the game.

After that rather pedestrian period, the Canucks got one back early in the third on the power play. The marksman? None other than budding Canuck star Brock Boeser. After a deft kick pass from Henrik Sedin, Boeser roofed the puck home from a sharp angle. Sweet hands.

A few minutes after Max Domi would shoot high and wide on a penalty shot, keeping the Coyotes lead at 4-2, Daniel Sedin would fire home a laser post-and-in to bring the Canucks within one.

The Canucks would press late with Ryan Miller pulled, but would be unable to equalize as the Coyotes skated away with the 4-3 victory.

-This game was actually a fairly entertaining affair, probably more so than it had any right to be. There were plenty of scoring chances, several posts, and even a penalty shot. The Canucks even nearly pulled off a third period comeback.

-Nikolay Goldobin once again lined up alongside the Sedins, and the line looked downright dangerous – especially in the first period. Henrik picked up 3 assists on the evening, Daniel a goal and an assist, and Goldobin a goal. Although the trio actually struggled possession-wise on the evening – being the only Canuck forwards not named Griffen Molino to control under 50% of shot attempts at even-strength – they demonstrated excellent chemistry and creativity. It was nice to see the Sedins play with a skilled winger for a change. Henrik, for his part, is not giving up the Sedins’ decade long ownership of the Cyrus H. McLean trophy easily. His three assists moved him to within three points of the slumping Bo Horvat, who still holds the tie-breaker with more goals.

-One day, the Canucks will utilize Boeser as the right-shot trigger man from the left side on the power play. He dominated that area in college, and from his goal tonight there is every indication he could do likewise at the NHL level. That was a goal-scorers goal, as they say.

-Sven Baertschi left the game in the third period with a suspected injury. Nothing confirmed at this point, however.

Saturday, April 8 vs Edmonton @ 7 pm PST. TV: CBC; Radio: TSN 1040