Canucks-Wild: Vancouver Vaults Into First in Northwest with OT Win

With just over a week to go in the regular season, the Canucks have done the unthinkable.

They made up an incredible amount of ground and vaulted into first place in the Northwest. 

Last night was not the prettiest win by any stretch, but nonetheless Henrik Sedin's 19th goal of the season was enough to propel the Canucks to a 2-1 OT win. 

It was Vancouver's fourth win in their last five games and has moved them into third place in the West at 93 points. 

Roberto Luongo was a huge factor in the Canucks win as he stopped 33 shots, many of them huge to record his 30th win of the season.  The Canucks' netminder is now only one of four active NHL goalies to win at least 30 games in four straight seasons.  He was especially strong in the third when the Canucks were unable to even muster a single shot on goal. 

The game itself was a little expected given the Minnesota style of play.  Very much a low intensity game that lacked so much emotion.  Not a lot of intensity on both sides—especially from the Canucks in the third, who were thoroughly dominated. If not for Luongo, they may very well have come away with nothing.  Pavol Demitra and Henrik Sedin both scored their 19th goals for the win. 

With six games to go in the regular season, the Canucks now go home for a tilt against the Ducks. Although a playoff berth is all but secure, their should be plenty to play for the rest of the way with the Flames and Blackhawks nipping at their heels for home-ice advantage. 

Rick Rypien also returned to the lineup for the first time since late October.

The Canucks are in first place in the Northwest—who'd have thought?