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Another Buzzer Beater for Red Wings

Susan Slusser — 2010-03-21T02:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Canucks, Red Wings, NHL Videos

Think the Red Wings aren't determined to keep their playoff streak alive? Detroit has eked out every fraction of a second the past two nights to try to stay ahead of Calgary.

Friday night, it was Brian Rafalski's last-second shot in front of the goal at Edmonton that sent the game into overtime; the Wings lost in a shootout, but still gained a much-needed point. The puck crossed the line just as time was expiring, and it took a review to verify the goal.

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Canucks Re-Sign Ryan Kesler

Adam Gretz — 2010-03-19T13:45:00 00:00

by Adam Gretz

Filed under: Canucks

Ryan Kesler was set to become a restricted free agent following the 2009-10 season. If one of the other 29 general managers in the NHL was planning on taking a run at the gritty two-way center in the offseason, they're likely disappointed right now, as the 25-year-old Kesler inked a six-year contract extension Friday morning.

The deal is reportedly worth $30 million, which is a cap hit of $5 million per season.

The No. 23 overall pick in the incredibly deep 2003 draft, Kesler has developed into one of the top defensive forwards in the NHL -- he was a finalist for the Selke Trophy last season -- and has seen his offensive game steadily improve each season. Over the past four years he's gone from .33 points per game, to .46, to .72 to the .93 mark he's averaged this season.

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Canucks' Samuelsson Could Be Out Three Weeks

A.J. Perez — 2010-03-17T21:35:00 00:00

by A.J. Perez

Filed under: Avalanche, Canucks, Islanders

An already close race for the Northwest Division became more complicated Wednesday after the Vancouver Canucks announced Mikael Samuelsson could miss a good chunk of what's left of the regular season.

The 33-year-old winger reportedly underwent an MRI on his shoulder on Wednesday and Canucks coach Alain Vigneault told reporters that Samuelsson would be out two to three weeks. Samuelsson had scored 10 points (six goals and four assists) in the four games before Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders.

"He had been playing really well," Vigneault said. "He just got named first star in the NHL last week. Obviously, he was contributing to our success. It's something we'll have to deal with."

The Canucks (43-24-3) are three points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche (40-23-6), who lost to Calgary, 3-2, on Wednesday night.

"I think they are still in a pretty good position to win the division," Canucks television analyst John Garrett told FanHouse. "They are going to miss [Samuelson's] goals, especially on the power play where he's been so good. But if you look at the schedule, it's pretty easy after they get rid of those 14 road games."

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Minnesota Star Jordan Schroeder Signs With Canucks

Bruce Ciskie — 2010-03-17T19:35:00 00:00

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Canucks, NHL Draft, College Hockey

This was not the way Jordan Schroeder thought it would go. After a freshman season at Minnesota where Schroeder lit up the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with 13 goals and 45 points, expectations were high.

For many different reasons, Schroeder, a first-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2009 draft, did not deliver.

In many ways, his enigmatic season mirrored that of the Gophers. He disappeared for stretches of games, was a virtual non-factor on the scoreboard, and appeared a shell of his freshman star self as the Gophers struggled to play .500 hockey.

After Minnesota's disappointing season came to an end in a first-round playoff loss to North Dakota Sunday, it was just a matter of time before Schroeder cashed in on his first-round status. That time came Wednesday.

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Andrew Raycroft With Save of the Night

Adam Gretz — 2010-03-11T09:18:00 00:00

by Adam Gretz

Filed under: Canucks, Coyotes, NHL Videos

The Vancouver Canucks dropped a 4-3 shootout decision in Phoenix on Wednesday, and even though they came out on the losing end, goaltender Andrew Raycroft walked away with the play of the night.

Less than two minutes into the first period, with the game still scoreless, Raycroft made a sprawling stick save, robbing Coyotes forward Lee Stempniak.

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Canucks Don't Know What Hit 'Em As Hawks Romp

Christopher Botta — 2010-03-06T00:18:00 00:00

by Christopher Botta

Filed under: Blackhawks, Canucks

CHICAGO -- If it wasn't for the blowout, the first period of Friday's cage match between the Blackhawks and Canucks could have been properly described as playoff-like atmosphere. So let's just call Chicago's 6-3 victory over Vancouver at a packed-to-the-rafters United Center as an all-star game with hitting and fighting.

A lot of hitting and fighting.

"The rivalry is real," said Blackhawks right wing Kris Versteeg, who scored a goal. "There's a lot of chirping and big hits every shift. The players like it. The fans like it."

What a pleasure to watch a regular season game -- in any major league -- with this kind of passion. What a pleasure to watch a game between two teams that genuinely despise each other. All disrespect very intended.

How much? Let's start with six penalties of the roughing and slashing variety ... in the first 37 seconds of the game.

The fights came soon after. Since last year's playoff series between the Blackhawks and Canucks, the bitterness has only increased. This rivalry has become so nasty, Andrew Alberts -- a Canuck for all of about five minutes -- fought Chicago Olympian Brent Seabrook 10 minutes into the game (above, right).

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Ryan Kesler Faces Rematch With 'Coward' Andrew Ladd

Christopher Botta — 2010-03-05T14:48:00 00:00

by Christopher Botta

Filed under: Blackhawks, Canucks

CHICAGO -- For the first time since calling him a coward, Canucks center Ryan Kesler will face Andrew Ladd when Vancouver plays the Blackhawks Friday night at the United Center.

During last year's playoffs, Ladd broke Kesler's nose with a cross-check and a fierce rivalry began. In a Canucks victory on Jan. 23, the two dropped the gloves and continued a war of words in the media. That's when Kesler dropped the "c" word.

Kesler, the valuable Team USA member who talks tough and backs it up on the ice, was slightly conciliatory when speaking with reporters after the Canucks' morning skate.

"I said some things afterwards that I hit myself in the butt for saying," said Kesler. "My words got twisted a little bit, but I did say he was a coward. He's a hard-nosed player and he's probably going to hit me a couple of times tonight. I'll be ready for it. I got all my anger out. He fought me. What's done is done."

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NHL Trade Deadline Preview: Western Conference

Bruce Ciskie — 2010-03-02T12:30:00 00:00

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Avalanche, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Blues, Canucks, Coyotes, Ducks, Flames, Kings, Oilers, Predators, Sharks, Stars, Wild, Red Wings, Trade Deadline

The NHL's "real" trade deadline is Wednesday at 3 P.M. Eastern. Before the deadline, take a look at where each team in the Western Conference stands. Approximations of cap room are taken from nhlnumbers.com.

In the West, there are a number of teams that think they're still alive in the playoff chase, and the teams who look to be selling probably don't have a whole lot to sell.

Those barely outside the top eight could find it hard to find trade partners, depending on how other teams perceive themselves.

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Fight of the Week: Experience Doesn't Matter

Bruce Ciskie — 2010-02-12T14:00:00 00:00

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Avalanche, Blue Jackets, Blues, Canucks, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Sabres, Senators, Thrashers, NHL Fights, NHL Videos

Every Friday, FanHouse sifts through the rubble and picks the best NHL fight, with the help of HockeyFights.com.

Many of the fights we've highlighted this season have involved guys who have been doing this for a while. Hopefully that hasn't led you to believe that the only good fights involve guys who are experienced at it.

Sometimes, newbies -- or relative newbies -- can produce the best scraps, if for no other reason than the fact that they're genuinely angry when they actually do drop the gloves.

They don't do it "just because," but instead because they've reached their boiling point with someone.

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Video: Roberto Luongo Robs Vinny Lecavalier

Kevin Schultz — 2010-02-10T11:20:00 00:00

by Kevin Schultz

Filed under: Canucks, Lightning, NHL Videos

Tuesday night, the Vancouver Canucks traveled all the way across the continent to square off against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Roberto Luongo got the start in net for the 'Nucks for the 49th time this season and continued to show why he is one of the best in the league at what he does. Despite making only 16 saves in the game, Luongo made one spectacular save against Tampa's Vincent Lecavalier, who had a shorthanded 2-on-1 during the third period with Stephane Veilleux with the Canucks down 2-1.

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Henrik Sedin: NHL's Most Efficient Shooter This Season

Adam Gretz — 2010-02-06T09:00:00 00:00

by Adam Gretz

Filed under: Canucks

Vancouver's Henrik Sedin on his way to the best season of his career. He's been at the top of the scoring race for most of the season (he was leading the league until he was passed by Alex Ovechkin late in the week) and has already set a new career-high for goals scored. With four more points he'll match his previous career-best of 82, and it's not even March yet.

He's also been the NHL's most efficient shooter this season, having scored on a higher percentage of his attempted shots than any other player in the league.

Who else is near the top of the list? Some surprising names.

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Fight of the Week: Salute the New Guys

Bruce Ciskie — 2010-02-05T15:00:00 00:00

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Avalanche, Canucks, Devils, Flames, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Rangers, Senators, NHL Fights, NHL Videos

Every Friday, FanHouse sifts through the rubble and picks the best NHL fight, with the help of HockeyFights.com.

New blood makes its way to the top of the heap this week. No, the guys involved in our best fight didn't bleed, but neither of them are household names around the league. Yet.

Besides that, we also have a dumb fight, a nice runner-up, and a complete thrashing to talk about.

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Knuckle Puck: Alex Ovechkin's Sick Whips

Kevin Schultz — 2010-01-30T12:30:00 00:00

by Kevin Schultz

Filed under: Canucks, Capitals, Predators, NHL Fans, NHL Videos

Each and every weekend this season I'll be taking a look at the random happenings and absurdities that occur in the world of hockey. Feel free to suggest stories, complain or otherwise babble at me via electronic mail.

If your contract paid you $124 million over the 13 years, you'd probably have a lot of extra money to play around with. As it turns out, those are the terms of the contract extension that Alex Ovechkin signed in January 2008. Naturally, the guy who loves to fly around on the ice likes to fly around on the streets as well. Ovechkin has quite a car collection, photos of which made the rounds on the internet this week.

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Canucks Take Their Act on the Road ... for 14 Straight Games

Christopher Botta — 2010-01-20T13:00:00 00:00

by Christopher Botta

Filed under: Canucks

Between Jan. 28 and March 10, Canucks and Team Sweden forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin will sleep at their respective Vancouver homes for two nights. This is a result of the longest road trip in NHL history, divided by the Winter Olympics.

At 14 games, the Canucks' consecutive run of road games this season surpasses the previous mark of 11, which was set by two teams (h/t Elias Sports Bureau). The Flames took their act on the road when the Olympics were hosted by Calgary in 1988. In 2005-06, the booking of a family ice show forced the Philadelphia Flyers to play 11 straight road games around the holidays.

According to Canucks Director of Media Relations and Team Operations T.C. Carling, the team has worked on the trip for over a year.

"The fact is, in Vancouver we're used to long trips -- five games in 10 days, that sort of thing," said Carling. "Our management wanted to pay attention to every detail so our players are in position to be their best."

For example, Vancouver hired a company that specializes in "fatigue management." Although Carling would not identify the consultants, he said they have worked with sports teams, music groups and Fortune 500 businesses helping them plan trips to maximize the efficiency of personnel.

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Alain Vigneault Passionately Defends Alex Burrows

Bruce Ciskie — 2010-01-17T16:20:00 00:00

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Canucks, NHL Videos, NHL Coaching, NHL Discipline

It was an interesting and dramatic week for the Vancouver Canucks. On the heels of a loss to Nashville Monday night, Canuck Alex Burrows accused referee Stephane Auger of threatening to exact revenge over what Auger felt was a dive during a game in December.

Burrows was fined $2,500 for his pointed and emotional comments after the game, and the league tried to put the story to bed. Saturday night, CBC brought it right back to the forefront on Hockey Night in Canada.

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Alexander Pechursky Goes From Tri-City to the NHL For 1 Crazy Day

Adam Gretz — 2010-01-17T01:30:00 00:00

by Adam Gretz

Filed under: Canucks, Penguins, Junior Hockey

On Friday, Alexander Pechursky was playing for the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League. On Saturday, he found himself thrown to the wolves in an NHL game, hoping to salvage something for the Pittsburgh Penguins during a 6-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

The Penguins were finishing a five-game road trip and had to sign their 2008 fifth-round pick to a one-day tryout contract because they essentially ran out of goalies. Starting netminder Marc-Andre Fleury suffered a broken finger during Thursday's win in Edmonton, while backup Brent Johnson has been out of the lineup due to an unspecified injury. That left the Penguins with No. 3 goaltender John Curry as the starter for Saturday's game and almost no other options for a backup.

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Knuckle Puck: Earth Invaded by Blues Fans From the Future

Kevin Schultz — 2010-01-16T12:00:00 00:00

by Kevin Schultz

Filed under: Blues, Canucks, NHL Fans, NHL Videos

Each and every weekend this season I'll be taking a look at the random happenings and absurdities that occur in the world of hockey. Feel free to suggest stories, complain or otherwise babble at me via electronic mail.

An odd thing happened on Tuesday night before the St. Louis Blues game. A pair of robots from the future, who are apparently Blues fans as well, were so desperate for tickets that they spent part of the afternoon as panhandlers dancing for money on a street corner in St. Louis. Apparently the local townsfolk deemed their moves sweet enough and the pair earned enough to get into the game that night. I know, it all sounds a little too wacky to be true but there is video evidence.

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Fight of the Week: Beatdowns and Haymakers

Bruce Ciskie — 2010-01-15T11:00:00 00:00

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Avalanche, Blue Jackets, Blues, Canucks, Capitals, Flames, Lightning, Wild, NHL Fights, NHL Videos

Every Friday, FanHouse sifts through the rubble and picks the best NHL fight, with the help of HockeyFights.com.

There's no way of counting the number of punches we've chronicled so far this season. It's a lot.

What is certain is that there aren't many fights that will feature more thrown punches than this week's top bout. Along those lines, there aren't many fights that will feature better punches than the ones landed in our top beatdowns this week. In fact, the beatdowns were so good this week that we have to spotlight two of them.

Beatdown of the Week I: Dave Steckel vs. Zenon Konopka

Give Steckel credit for going into a fight with a guy like Konopka. Look carefully, and you'll notice that Konopka had a nice shiner over his left eye before the fight started. He does this a lot, and his experience and ability showed from the start. Watch it here.

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Puck Talk: The Impact of Burrows' Comments

Bruce Ciskie — 2010-01-14T12:00:00 00:00

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Canucks, Devils, Penguins, Rangers, Wild, NHL Discipline

Let there be no doubt what the big story in the NHL is this week.

Vancouver's Alex Burrows set off a bomb Monday night with his incendiary remarks about referee Stephane Auger. The NHL was quick to act Tuesday, fining Burrows and standing firmly behind their official.

This week, we talk about the incident and other major news from the last seven days with FanHouse national NHL writer Chris Botta.

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NHL FanHouse Live Chat

Bruce Ciskie — 2010-01-13T13:00:00 00:00

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Canucks, Coyotes, Devils, Rangers, Eastern, Western, NHL Fans, NHL Live Blogging

It's been a busy week.

We've had officiating controversies, coaching gaffes, and a classic goalie duel at Madison Square Garden, among other things. Not only that, but we've passed the midway point of the regular season, and the playoff races are just starting to heat up, as is the race to get a big ticket for the ~~Taylor Hall~~ ~~Tyler Seguin~~ ~~Cam Fowler~~ No. 1 Pick Sweepstakes.

We'll chat about all these things starting at 2 P.M. Eastern.

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