Canucks Beat Blue Jackets: Increasing Lead in Tight Playoff Race

In a tight playoff race in the West, the Vancouver Canucks have not only been able to stay above the cut. But with their hot streak of late, they have been able to put a little distance with the teams chasing them in the conference. 

Sunday's win over a much improved Blue Jackets team was the club's 10th in their last 12 games, and their fifth straight on home ice. Goals from Sami Salo, Ryan Kessler, and an insurance marker from money in the bank by Alex Burrows were enough to beat the Columbus 3-1. 

Salo got the ball rolling late in the first as the Canucks made the most of a two man advantage when he fired a one-timer past Steve Mason with 4.2 seconds remaining.

Vancouver kept the pressure on in the second and continued to dominate when Kessler tipped in a Mats Sundin shot for his 19th of the year to make it 2-0. 

The Blue Jackets though did not quit and came out strong to start the third. They were rewarded when Nash scored to cut the lead in half. The Jackets pressed hard, but Luongo was very sharp and determined to keep the advantage. 

Alex Burrows, who has been incredible in the clutch, put the game out of reach when he converted a three-on-one to put the Canucks up 3-1, which was the final score.

The Canucks have picked up where they left off in March and continue to sit in fifth place now four points clear of the Blue Jackets, who are just behind them. 

Sunday's game was perhaps the teams most complete 60 minute effort since the team's 7-3 shellacking of the Chicago Blackhawks. The game that could be remembered as the one that changed the Canucks fortunes.

With two assists on Sunday, Sundin ties Mike Gartner for 27th in all-time points with 1,335 points.

Mattias Ohlund, the subject of many trade rumours, got his 320th career point, which puts him one back of Jyrki Lumme and Dennis Kearns for the all-time lead among Canuck defense men.