Vancouver Canucks win first ever Presidents’ Trophy and wins the series against Los Angeles Kings –NHL Update
Canucks dominated the Los Angeles Kings for the second consecutive time, leading them to win their first ever Presidents’ Trophy in the franchise's history. They improved their already best record in the National Hockey League (NHL) after defeating the Kings
by 3-1 at the sold-out Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Los Angeles had their four-game winning streak snapped on Thursday night as Canucks extended their own to five in a row.
LA had dominated them for the first two sessions early this season but was overtaken in the final two by a team who is now considered as a top Stanley Cup contender.
The 18,000 plus home crowd must surely have been excited entering the match, knowing that the Easter Conference leaders, Philadelphia, was earlier shutout by a 11th place team.
Philadelphia has been considered the only team that could really match Vancouver but that speculation has also died off.
"It's an accomplishment," said Vancouver’s American centre Ryan Kesler. "You work hard to be the best and we have the best record now - it's going to stay that way."
Kyle Clifford opened up the match more than halfway through the first. Kings' defenseman, Drew Doughty, passed the puck close to Canucks' goalie, Roberto Luongo, to Clifford who fired from the circle and into the net.
It would come to be their first and final goal of the match.
Vancouver blazed off late in the second period as Daniel Sedin became the first player to score 100 points in the league.
He scored his 41th of the season just 15 minutes into the second and tied up the match.
Christian Ehrhoff potted their second with a second remaining in regulation to take the lead.
Canucks shutdown LA offensively and defensively as they outshot Kings by 6-0 in the final period, becoming the first team this season to do so.
Ryan Kesler scored his first since their match with Minnesota, giving Sedin his second point of the night.
Kings were desperate and gave over 21 minutes of power-play time in the final alone.
"We had a couple penalties that cost us (a chance) to get back into the game," Los Angeles Coach Terry Murray said. "The start was good, the game was good. There was good intensity, it was a good atmosphere.”
Roberto Luongo completed his near shutout with 18 of 19 saves, while the opposing Jonathan Quick made 32 of 35.
The Canadian leaders improve their position to 113 points, 11 more than the runner up team (Philadelphia).
They end this month with an almost perfect series, only losing two of their past 15 games.
They host Edmonton Oilers on Saturday and face them again on Tuesday in Edmonton.
Los Angeles is tied for fifth place with Nashville, above eighth placed team by four points. They might have a tough time in upcoming games.
Kings face Dallas on Saturday.
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