After two months of injuries, sporadic play and a constantly evolving line-up the Vancouver Canucks actually looked like themselves last night. It was a breakout game for the Canucks, not because the Kings are an overly challenging team and not because they played their best hockey, but a few Canucks had breakout performances last night. Roberto Luongo was stellar, saving the Canucks’ when their defensive coverage showed some weaknesses. Jonathan Quick wasn’t to be outdone either, his shorthanded glove save on Ryan Kesler kept the ‘Kings in the game when the Canucks were all over them. Quick and Luongo both offered up saves worthy to be highlight of the night at 29 and 49 seconds respectively in the clip.

I thought it was Luongo’s best game of the year, hopefully he can continue this strong play into and through the Olympic break. Luongo wasn’t the only Canuck to breakout either, the reunited top line of Burrows, Sedin and Sedin looked good, breaking Burrows out of his slump with his first goal and the line’s first points since Daniel Sedin returned from a foot injury. Henrik Sedin also got his first goal since reunited with his brother; Henrik scored the first of three goals in a strong third period from the Canucks. Kyle Wellwood came close to getting his first goal of the season midway through the third, but in the scramble Tanner Glass’ stick was the one to tap the puck in. Wellwood and his magic mittens wouldn’t have to wait much longer for his first of the season however, Alain Vigneault left him out with the ‘Kings net empty and Wellwood made the most of his chance and buried the empty netter past Jack Johnson who was doing his best Jonathan Quick impersonation in front of the empty cage.

The Canucks looked much better offensively last night, after being frustrated by Jonathan Quick early the Canucks’ responded in the 3^rd period with a couple hard working goals off rebounds. In previous games the Canucks’ allowed themselves to be victims of a hot goaltender; however last night the Canucks battled through Quick’s 30 save performance to solve him twice in the third, effectively putting the game away. Defensively Canucks’ skaters should be giving Luongo an extra stick tap for a handful of brilliant saves last night, Louuuu was definitely on his game. Look for the Canucks to be much better in front of Luongo on Saturday night when the Oilers are in town; while it is nice to have a world class goaltender to have your back, the Canucks cannot lean on him night after night.

On to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night; look for Burrows and Wellwood to continue their strong play after bumping their slumps, as well as the Sedin twins who looked comfortable working the cycle last night. I’ll be there live on Saturday, shouting profanities “words of encouragement” to Zack Stortini and the rest of the Oilers.

Injury Update; Wellwood’s ovation

• Rick Rypien was held out of practice earlier this week and missed last night’s game with an upper body injury. No word so far when he will return, I pray he’s back in time to beat up Zack Stortini again.
• Kyle Wellwood appeared to score his first of the season at 7:18 of the third, and was given credit for the goal within the building much to the pleasure of Canucks fans. Wellwood knew it wasn’t his goal however, and knew a change would be announced. Burrows even predicted Tanner Glass who was eventually given credit for the goal would get boo’d for taking away Wellwoods’ first of the season – he was right. The fans made it up to Wellwood by giving him an ovation after he put in the empty netter later in the game.
• Wellwood mentioned after the game that it was his “first game with a wood blade in the season and I ended up getting a couple of points, so hopefully that’s a sign of things to come” I like the positivity and hopefully Wellwood brings his hands again on Saturday.