Canucks 3, Capitals 2
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Daniel Sedin's goal at 5:01 of the third period gave the Vancouver Canucks a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Monday night.
Sedin fired in a slap shot from the high slot, breaking a 2-2 deadlock.
The Canucks (9-4-1) posted their fourth consecutive victory, while the Capitals (5-7-0) suffered their second straight loss.
Zack Kassian and Ryan Kesler also scored for the Canucks, who played their first game at home following a seven-game road trip.
Jason Chimera and Mikhail Grabovski tallied for the Capitals.
Vancouver outshot Washington 41-19. The Canucks were blanked on six power plays, while the Capitals failed to convert on four.
Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped Alex Ovechkin on a penalty shot only 1:19 into the game. Luongo lay across his crease and glued himself to the ice as Ovechkin tried to deke him and slide the puck into the net.
The penalty shot was awarded after officials ruled that Canucks defenseman Alex Edler tripped Ovechkin on a breakaway, but a video review was conducted to ensure that Ovechkin did not lose control of the puck beforehand.
Kassian opened the scoring at 11:31 of the first period as he put in a wrist shot from right wing. Chimera drew the Capitals even three minutes later as he managed to deflect in Mike Green's point shot.
The Canucks enjoyed a big advantage in shots in the second period, but neither team could score.
Grabovski put the Caps ahead 2-1 at just 1:52 of the third period. Canucks defenders got tangled up near their blue line, and Grabovski ripped home a shot from the slot.
Kesler created a 2-2 tie just 61 seconds later as he put in the rebound of Ryan Stanton's attempt.
Although he did not get an assist, Kesler also played a key role on Vancouver's third goal just over two minutes later, as he screened Washington goaltender Michal Neuvirth while Sedin wired home the goal that stood up as the winner.
Ovechkin was held off the score sheet for the second consecutive game.
Luongo made just 17 saves in the win. Neuvirth stopped 38 shots.
NOTES: Canucks RW Alex Burrows, who suffered a fractured foot while blocking a shot in the preseason, played his first game of the season Monday. ... Vancouver RW Jannik Hansen (upper body) and RW Dale Weise (lower body) will both miss three to four weeks with injuries, while RW David Booth is out a minimum of two weeks with an undisclosed problem. ... Canucks C Jordan Schroeder, who is due to undergo surgery for a reported ankle injury, will miss about two months. ... LW Aaron Volpatti played his first game in Vancouver since being claimed off waivers from the Canucks by the Capitals in February. ... Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, who doubles as coach of Canada's Olympic team, scouted the game. The Wings visit the Canucks on Wednesday. ... The Capitals' next game is Friday against the Flyers in Philadelphia.
