Martin Gelinas had the other goal and Lonny Bohonos picked up a pair of assists for the Canucks, who are 8-1 all-time against Tampa Bay, including a 5-0 mark at Vancouver.
"Defensively, we were better tonight," said Canucks defenseman Bret Hedican. "We were outshot again, but we shut them down and got the win. We can't think about what has happened, just how to make it better now. It was the type of game we could build on."
Aucoin's power-play tally at 3:43 of the second period snapped a 1-1 tie. He flipped a wrist shot from the blue line that beat goaltender Corey Schwab, who was being screened by Bohonos. The goal ended the night for Schwab, who faced only six shots and was replaced by Rick Tabaracci.
Naslund made it 3-1 just over two minutes later. Bohonos kept in a clearing attempt at the right boards and centered the puck to Naslund for his 16th goal. It came on Vancouver's first shot against Tabaracci and seventh of the game.
"Somebody yelled clear. I cleared it and they were three-on-one down low," Tabaracci said. "I don't know where the hell everyone was. We all have to do our stuff. I cleared, but we weren't all going the same direction, obviously."
Chris Gratton and John Cullen tallied for Tampa Bay, which has lost five of its last six games and seven of nine. The Lightning, who went 1-2 on their western swing, trail Washington and Montreal by three points apiece for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
"We got behind early and just couldn't get back," Gratton said. "They kept us from getting much started and I think their goalie came up big for them. We let in a couple of easy goals tonight and we've been doing that a lot lately, especially in our first periods. I think if we can cut that out, we'll be back in it. But we're certainly not out.
"Obviously, it hurts," he continued. "This is a desperate time for us. We're still in the race, but we need points. Last night was big, but we could've gotten something tonight, too."
Gelinas staked Vancouver to a 1-0 lead at 5:32 of the first period, flipping a puck over Schwab off a goalmouth scramble. The Canucks appeared to double their advantage with 6:11 to go in the period on an Alexander Mogilny goal, but referee Kerry Fraser ruled he whistled the play dead before Mogilny poked a rebound through Schwab's pads.
Tampa Bay tied it 54 seconds into the second period when Gratton beat Hirsch from just inside the blue line.
The Lightning pulled Tabaracci for an extra attacker in the final minute, but could not muster a quality chance.
"I was happy to hear that final buzzer," Hirsch said. "We've been coming up empty, especially lately, when we've needed them so much. And you never know until you hear it. Tonight, we kept them outside and our 'D' let me see what was coming. When I gave up the rebounds, they were cleared and that's nice to see. We need whatever we can get now, so this win is huge to keep us in the hunt."
Jon's 3 stars:
1. Corey Hirsch
2. Chris Gratton
3. Steve Staios
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