Sammy’s snipe sinks Smythe… opponent – Canucks beat Jets 3-2

The Vancouver Canucks played the Winnipeg Jets for the first time in 16 years was the storyline coming into this one, although, I do believe they played Atlanta last spring, and Phoenix last week, so I’m not too sure about the factual basis for this one. What I do know, however, is that Winnipeg is an alright team in the playoff race, held back by some shaky goaltending.

That wasn’t really on display tonight, however. The Canucks put three past Ondrej Pavelec, one by Ryan Kesler, one by Alex Edler and one by Sammy Pahlsson, but they also took 45 shots on goal and came back from a third period deficit to win 3-2.

For further analysis, Statistical Three Stars, Statistical Three Goats, and scoring chances, click after the jump…

-First off, the important questions. Vancouver out-chanced Winnipeg 19-16 tonight, but just 15-14 at even strength, although they did win the battle at score-tied 5-on-5 11-8. Alex Edler’s goal wasn’t registered as a chance, because the shot was from well out of the scoring zone. Also, it deflected off eight or nine Jets bodies in front, resulting in a fortunate goal for the Canucks.

-Ryan Kesler was in beast mode tonight, taking four chances and creating one. Also, Chris Higgins was in beast mode tonight, taking four chances. Also, David Booth took two scoring chances. Really, the American Express line was rolling tonight offensively although their defensive play left a lot to be desired: the three were a combined minus-two on the night in overall chances.

-The goaltending wasn’t necessarily elite on either side, but it got the job done. I think that Pavelec could have gotten to the Ryan Kesler shorthanded goal, but both goalies earned quality starts and gave their teams at the very least a respectable shot at winning. Cory Schneider didn’t have to make any big saves, but to his credit, he didn’t put himself in position to make a lot of big saves.

-I theorized that Alain Vigneault might match up Sami Salo and Alex Edler up against Winnipeg’s top line of Bryan Little-Blake Wheeler-Andrew Ladd, but it was Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa who drew that assignment. They got steamrollered a little bit with eight chances for and 17 against, but the Canucks escaped nearly unfazed, just the single goal against early in the third period to Blake Wheeler.

-Salo and Edler had a very strong game facing tough zone starts against Winnipeg’s second line of Kyle Wellwood-Evander Kane-Alex Burmistrov. They connected for a goal and several chances for. Edler also recorded seven shots on goal and 12 attempts at net, which are Dustin Byfuglien-esque numbers.

-Dustin Byfuglien was pretty nowhere in this one, to tell you the truth. He was on for several chances for (9), but he didn’t set any up and didn’t take too many shot attempts, just eight, which is pretty low for his standards and only got one on goal. Five of those attempts were blocked.

-Again, the Canucks blocked a lot of shots, 23 in this game, but they made up for it by dominating possession this entire game. 80 shot against for, 61 shots against. This was a very wide open game that we haven’t seen in quite some time.

-Sammy Pahlsson is clutch. He had three total chances, two taken and one created, and all of them came in the third period. What a gamer.

-Tanner Glass is not clutch. He fanned on a chance after Schneider allowed a rebound on the exact same spot on the ice to where Chris Tanev set him up in last year’s finals.

-Chris Tanev was +12 Corsi.

-The Sedins were pretty invisible offensively unfortunately, but that was mostly on Henrik. He didn’t get any chances on his own (he may be hurt, who knows) but Burrows and Daniel each contributed a bit offensively. Obviously, when you take a whole bunch of shots on goal, all your lines are clicking, but for some reason the twins can’t get off the Schneid. A slight decrease in overall performance compared with some very bad luck for a month and you get this.

-But counterpoint: two points.

VANCOUVER

WINNIPEG

TOTALS (Vancouver on left, Winnipeg on right)