Begrüssungsthread » -Maison tacked on two more goal

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Canucks are about where Willie Desjardins expected them to be 40 games into his first season as an NHL head coach. Ron Santo Jersey .How they got to this point is another matter entirely.We started quicker than I thought we would — but then weve had some tough games lately, Desjardins said after Mondays practice at Rogers Arena. I think were probably where I thought, but I thought it would kind of be reversed. I thought wed go out a little bit slower and then be trending upwards. Now weve kind of flattened off again.The Canucks briefly led the NHL standings with a 16-6-1 mark back in late November, but are just 7-8-2 since, including back-to-back losses to the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames that closed out a disappointing 2-3-0 homestand.Vancouver (23-14-3) sat second in the Pacific Division heading into Mondays action, but were just two points up on Calgary for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference, albeit with three games in hand.I think we realize how close it is to miss the playoffs, said Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa. Weve done a good job of staying in moment and taking care of the points, especially in the middle half, the dog days of the season.We make sure were up for these games because we know how important the points are.The Canucks will have to be up for Tuesdays opener of a five-game road trip against the league-leading Nashville Predators, who have just three losses on home ice this season.Weve got real tough games, said Desjardins. Its going to be a battle. Every points going to be a battle (but) hopefully teams are saying the same things about us.Speaking of battle, Desjardins was asked Monday before the Canucks left for Nashville what he wants more of in the second half of the season, and that was what came to mind for a team that didnt get a single power play against in the loss to Calgary.If youre battling hard then other teams get frustrated (and) when they get frustrated they take penalties, he said. Were pushing them, but were not pushing them to the point where they get frustrated and (are) taking penalties on us. We have to get to that point.The good news for the Canucks as they prepared to meet the Predators is that Vancouver has played much better away from home this season, sporting a 12-6-2 mark with victories in Pittsburgh, Washington and St. Louis.Desjardins was at a loss to explain discrepancy with the Canucks 11-8-1 home record, but offered a few ideas.Maybe its a factor that the guys are a little more focused (on the road), he said. Maybe they think on the road its going to be a real tough game and so they are really prepared, and maybe we relax a little bit at home, I dont know. Theres a couple games at home that it wouldnt have taken much (more effort) to get wins.You always wish you had a little bit more in those games.Canucks captain Henrik Sedin couldnt explain the road success either, adding the team tries to approach each game the same.I think we try to keep it simple, he said. Its not a big difference that way. I dont know why our home record isnt as good as on the road. Weve gone into some tough buildings and weve shown before this year that we can win in those buildings.Lack of scoring was a consistent theme last season when Vancouver missed the playoffs for the first time in six years. The Canucks scored just once in the losses to Florida (3-1) and Calgary (1-0) despite directing a combined 69 shots on target — they had 77 shots attempts against the Flames — but Desjardins suggested more can be done to make life difficult on the opposition.Weve got to be harder, he said. Overall we do need more. I dont think were creating as much as we need to. We have to get better and we have to create more.Sedin agreed the Canucks have to do a better job getting to the dirty areas of the ice on a road trip that will also take them to Philadelphia, Carolina, Florida and Tampa Bay.Were not driving to the net, he said. Were not getting people there, and thats usually when (referees) are calling the penalties — when they take away a scoring chance. Its something we keep talking about, but weve got to do it in games.Teams across the league are in an almost constant search for consistency and the Canucks are no different as they approach the midway point of this campaign.But Sedin said if someone had told him back in training camp that Vancouver would have 49 points through 40 games, he would have taken it.I think if you ask anyone, its a good spot to be in for us, he said. Weve got a lot of games in hand on a lot of different teams. But we know we need to win games. Its going to be tough all the way down to the final game, but its a great spot to be in. Its fun to be a part of.Were happy, but were not satisfied.Notes: Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis (torn groin), who has been out since getting hurt on Nov. 20, continues to practice with his teammates and hopes to play at some point on the road trip. ... Vancouver goalie Ryan Miller missed Saturdays game against Calgary with an illness, but said he expects to play Tuesday in Nashville if called upon.___Follow @JClipperton_CP on Twitter Brandon Morrow Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs have trade offers on the table for the 26-year-old, but none have been deemed acceptable by the team. Kosuke Fukudome Jersey . In this weeks Leaf Report podcast, James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel debate whether Toronto can continue their shootout dominance and discuss what Dave Nonis game plan should be heading into the trade deadline. http://www.thecubsteamshop.com/Cubs-Mark-Grace-Kids-Jersey/ . It will be their 15th head-to-head meeting and fourth in the post-season (Sunday at 2pm et/11am pt on CTV) and for his part, Brady isnt downplaying just how big the game is for him. "Im excited - Its everything you could ask for as an athlete," the New England Patriots quarterback told WEEI Radio in Boston on Monday.BATHURST, N.B. -- Jonathan Drouin scored and added three assists as the Halifax Mooseheads dominated the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in a 9-1 victory on Sunday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Darcy Ashley and Luca Ciampini had a goal and two assists each for Halifax (30-16-1), which won its fourth consecutive game. Brent Andrews, Brandon Vuic, Danny Moynihan, Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Philippe Gadoury also scored for the Mooseheads. Goaltender Zachary Fucale made 22 saves for the win. Simon Fortier was the lone scorer for Acadie-Bathurst (17-25-4). Jacob Brennan started in net for the Titan, stopping nine of 13 shots, before giving way to Miguel Sullivan, who turned aside 34-of-39 shots in 44 minutes of relief. --- SCREAMING EAGLES 5 ISLANDERS 1 SYDNEY, N.S. -- Julien Pelletier scored twice and Justin Hache had three assists as Cape Breton handed Charlottetown its fourth straight loss. Kyle Farrell had a goal and an assist for the Screaming Eagles (24-19-3) while Charles-Eric Legare and Clark Bishop each scored once. The Islanders (17-25-5) got their lone goal from Spenser Cobbold. Cape Bretons Zachary Fortin made 32 saves for the win as Charlottetowns Mason MacDonald turned away 29-of-33 shots in defeat. --- VOLTIGEURS 3 WILDCATS 0 MONCTON, N.B. -- Louis-Philip Guindon stopped all 22 shots his way as Drummondville blanked the Wildcatts. Kris Bryant Jersey. Matthew Boudons opened the scoring in the first period for the Voltigeurs (29-16-2) and Alexandre Grand-Maison tacked on two more goals, including one into an empty net. Conor Garland led all Moncton (23-23-2) skaters with six shots on net. Alex Dubeau made 22 saves for the Wildcats, who went 0 for 9 with the man advantage. --- FOREURS 3 ARMADA 2 (SO) BOISBRIAND, Que. -- Nicolas Aube-Kubel scored the winner as Val-dOr edged the Armada. Olivier Galipeau forced extra time for the Foreurs (29-16-2) with a goal at 17:23 of the third period while Pierre-Maxime Poudrier had the other. Samuel Hodhod and Christopher Clapperton scored for Blainville-Boisbriand (28-10-8) and Guillaume Beaudoin assisted on both. Antoine Bibeau made 21 saves for Val-dOr through 65 minutes and three more in the shootout as Etienne Marcoux stopped 27 shots for the Armada. --- TIGRES 3 HUSKIES 2 VICTORIAVILLE, Que. -- Francois Tremblay made 46 saves as the Tigres slipped past Rouyn-Noranda for their fifth win in a row. Jean-Francois Plante, Philippe Hudon and Ross Johnston scored for Victoriaville (21-19-6), which led 3-0 midway through the second period. Marcus Power and Jason Fuchs responded for the Huskies (26-15-5) and Jean-Sebastien Dea earned an assist on each. Rouyn-Norandas Alexandre Belanger kicked out 21-of-24 shots in a losing cause. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '