Trevor Linden scored for the first time in nearly a month to cap a three-goal first period and Kirk McLean stopped 28 shots as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Calgary Flames, 5-2, in a key Western Conference matchup.
Sergei Nemchinov and Brian Noonan, acquired together from the New York Rangers on March 8th, also tallied in the first period for Vancouver, which extended its unbeaten streak to four games, tying a season high. The Canucks moved within three points of Calgary and Chicago for the final playoff berth in the West.
Cale Hulse and Marty McInnis scored for the Flames, who lost for just the second time in seven games.
Nemchinov began Vancouver's first-period assault at 4:53, tipping Alexander Mogilny's point shot between the pads of goaltender Trevor Kidd. It was Nemchinov's seventh goal of the season and first since February 9th as a member of the Rangers.
Noonan got the puck in the slot off a scramble and scored his 11th goal at 9:38 when his shot caromed off the right goalpost and Kidd's back before trickling into the net.
Linden made it 3-0 just over two minutes later with a shorthanded goal, his first since March 3rd. He broke in 2-on-1 with Noonan, who threw a cross-ice pass that Linden one-timed over Kidd, who was replaced by Dwayne Roloson after facing 11 shots.
Hulse got the Flames on the board with his first NHL goal, a shorthanded tally 14 minutes into the second period. But Mogilny got it back with his 30th of the season at 17:29.
McInnis lifted Calgary within 4-2 when he scored a power-play goal with 18 seconds to go in the period.
Martin Gelinas also notched his 30th of the season with 4:18 left in regulation and Vancouver was able to hold on for the victory, although the Flames pulled Roloson for an extra attacker over the final 3:30.
The Canucks were 0-for-3 on the power play, falling to 0-for-14
in their last four road games.
Jon's 3 stars:
1. Dave Babych
2. Kirk McLean
3. Jarome Iginla
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