Vancouver Canucks win first game of the season
After losing their season-opener at home on Saturday night in a shootout against the Los Angeles Kings, the Vancouver Canucks responded with a win on Monday, defeating the Florida Panthers
2-1.
The Canucks have scored just four goals in their first two games thus far and are not happy with their offensive production. Daniel Sedin, who scored both goals for the Canucks on Monday,
believes they might be pressing too much.
"We've got a few new guys, (we're) a little bit nervous, maybe gripping our stick too tight," Sedin said.
"We need to relax and play our game."
Sedin’s line mate and twin brother Henrik Sedin, also commented on the offensive performance from their line.
"It was average at best, I think," he said of their performance. "We didn't make the plays we wanted to, a little bit too many turnovers but we scored twice which is what we need to do."
Sedin opened the scoring for the Canucks in the first period pouncing on a rebound and lifting a backhand over Panthers goalie Tomas VoKoun.
"(Mikael) Samuelsson took a shot and Hank (Henrik) took the rebound," Daniel said. "It was right there but I think he (Vokoun) put it in himself."
The Panthers tied the game in the second period on a fluke goal that deflected in off Vancouver defenseman Alex Edler’s skate. Panthers forward Rostislav Olesz was credited with the goal.
Roberto Luongo, who was stellar in the Canucks loss on Saturda,y once again got the call for the Canucks in net and had to come up big again turning away 41 shots.
"He looked real smooth and confident in there, challenging at the right time," said coach Alain Vigneault.
"He was in control and he was the goaltender that we know he can be. He's giving us a chance to win."
Sedin scored the winning goal from in close with just over five minutes remaining to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead. Henrik Sedin and Samuelsson assisted on both of Daniel’s goals.
The Panthers out shot the Canucks 42-35 but according to Florida coach Peter DeBoer, Luongo was the difference.
"You should be able to come out with points in that situation," DeBoer said. "Unfortunately, despite a bunch of chances, Luongo, I thought, had all the answers."
Panthers defenseman Bryan Allen also said his team must do better offensively.
"Obviously, when we get 40 shots on net, we’ve got to find some way to score some goals," he said. "It's not good enough just to say we're closing in."
The Panthers are now 0-2 to start the season after losing 3-2 to the Edmonton Oilers in their season-opener on Sunday.
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