Vancouver Canucks Score 3, Can't Top Colorado Avalanche To Sweep Series

Vancouver seemed poised to make a comeback in Colorado to close out their road trip, but fell just short, as Colorado tied the game late in the second and scored in overtime to beat the Canucks 4-3 Tuesday night. 

Vancouver was looking to win its fifth straight against the division rival, but the Avalanche surprised them by staying close throughout the game and keeping the flow of play out of Vancouver's hands.

The key to the game appeared to be the power play, as the teams combined for five goals with the man advantage.

Both teams scored just one goal each at even strength. 

Despite the loss (the Canucks' fourth loss in their last six), many good signs emerged from the game to signal that the Canucks are leaving their slump. 

The most obvious is that the Canucks are regaining their notoriously deep squad. Despite injuries to Tanner Glass, Alex Bolduc and Sami Salo, they are putting points on the board again.

Their depth began to look worrisome after Vancouver got shut out twice in three games, but with call-up Sergei Shirokov scoring his first, and multiple lines scoring, Vancouver is returning to original form. Additionally, Sami Salo is set to return before the end of the month, only adding to the depth.

Colorado is on a hot streak, evident from their scoring three against a daunting Vancouver penalty kill (only one other team has scored three against the Canucks on the PP this season). They have won three of their last four.

Milan Hejduk, tied for second on the team in scoring, had a three-point night, as did defenseman John-Michael Liles. 

The Canucks play the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. During their last meeting, Vancouver won its first at the Shark Tank in almost three years.

They will try to make it two in a row, but will need more balanced offense and a better penalty kill against one of the most skilled teams in the league if they are to beat them.