Islanders 2 - Canucks 1 (SO) - Game Notes

Another wasted opportunity, the Canucks decided they could take the second period off and it cost them...

• One of my pet peeve's has always been using a forward on the point during the power play when you are tied or leading a hockey game. I'm fine with it when you need to come from behind, but there is simply too much risk and not much upside when you have the lead.
• Mayson Raymond had an absolutely terrible game. Absolutely brutal play leading to a penalty and the tying goal.
• I mentioned earlier that special teams were going to decide their fate on the road and tonight the power play generated next to nothing chance wise and went 0-4. The PK was decent and finished 4-5. The special teams were a -1 on the night, you'll usually lose when that's the case.
• Offensive zone penalties continue to be an issue... Taylor Pyatt and Daniel Sedin added to that category tonight.
• Lawrence Nycholat received only 1:15 on the power play. I'm not sure I understand why he is in the organization (and being protected from waivers at the expense of others) if he is not going to be used in offensive situations. The guy had 49 pts in the AHL last year.
• Definitely a sub-par night in the officiating department, there were several obvious calls missed both ways, the most glaring being Trent Hunter throwing the puck out of the zone and Rob Davison breaking the stick of an Islander with a blatant slash.
• Mattias Ohlund had another bad night in the giveaway and blocked shots department.
• Henrik Sedin should be embarrassed that he couldn't generate anything on a breakout where he had to pull away from Andy Sutton.
• The Canucks have to find a way to get Kyle Wellwood on the ice, 13:25 isn't enough when you are struggling to score 2 goals a game.
• Although they failed to generate a scoring chance, the 4th line finally offered up a good shift in the offensive zone... a rare sight this season.
• Luongo continues to be on a roll, keeping his team in every game. The soft goals of October are long gone.
• Shane O'Brian is looking much better than the player who joined the Canucks in October. If he gets his stick tilted just a bit Weight's shot is up over the glass instead of in the net.
• Steve Bernier continues to be shut out on the score sheet, but he's starting to play a little more like he did in the pre-season/first week. Five shots on goal tonight and some good hits. Somethings gotta give for him eventually.
• Henrik Sedin was a monster in the faceoff circle, 15-22 for 68%. The overall team improvement in the faceoff circle is probably one of the most encouraging signs so far this season.

The Canucks now head over to MSG to face the Rangers on Wednesday. Winning two out of the next three (for a 5 point trip) is going to be a tough challenge.