Comeback Canucks Rally To Edge Coyotes

For the second consecutive game the Vancouver Canucks found a way to come from behind and pull out a win. 

Tonight was almost a carbon copy of Tuesday's game against St. Louis, where the Canucks fell behind 2-0 and 3-1. Only this time, it was to the Phoenix Coyotes.

But the script stayed the same and the Canucks came storming back in the third. The victory means the Canucks have now won four games in a row for the first time since November.

As usual, Vancouver got off to a slow start. Luongo let in a shaky goal to Phoenix's Lisin on only their second shot of the game. Phoenix increased their lead a minute later when Stephen Reinprecht capitalized on a power play to put Phoenix up 2-0 at the end of the first. The Coyotes power play goal means that Vancouver has now given up 14 power play goals in their last 15 games.

The game for 40 minutes was somewhat forgettable as both teams looked hesitant and lacked any sort of intensity you would expect to see from two teams fighting for their playoff lives.

Ohlund finally solved Ilya Bryzgalov late in the second to cut the lead in half. The momentum was short lived though, as Derrick Morris fired home his fifth of the season late to put the Coyotes up 3-1 into the third. Phoenix was 17-0-1 when leading after two periods, so things looked bleak for the Canucks. 

However, the Canucks once again showed a lot of urgency and determination, and quickly fought back into the game. First with a goal from Demitra early. Before the period was half done they were even when Alex Edler blasted his sixth of the season. The Canucks had control from there, and capped it off a couple minutes later when Henrik Sedin scored the winner on the power play.

This was only the fourth time the Canucks have come back to win when trailing after 2, and the confidence and never say die attitude has really given this team a shot in the arm. The penalty kill, while it did give up another goal, looked good for most of the night, but there is still plenty of work to do. 

Henrik's power play goal means that Vancouver now has at least a power play goal in it's last six games as they have really caught fire of late. Luongo has been good of late when called upon, but still was not his sharpest, and must be better in order for the Canucks to continue their success. The biggest stat of this contest was perhaps the offense the back end provided, as the blue line combined for 7 points in the victory. 

With the win Vancouver now has 60 points on the season and they move into sixth place in the West. They are a point ahead of Dallas Stars who they face tomorrow in the lone star state.

Roberto Luongo is expected to get a much needed rest as LaBarbera will most likely start tomorrow night's game. 

With his goal in the third Demitra now has a four game point scoring streak. Also Kyle Wellwood got his first point in 10 games with an assist on Edler's tying goal.

The Canucks are on a roll right now and they look to keep it going in Dallas tomorrow night before a quick stop at home to face the Habs on Sunday.