Canucks Report: Bieksa Back
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BIEKSA BACK
By Nolan Kelly
After missing 15 games with a broken foot, defenseman Kevin Bieksa returned to the lineup last night.
It was baptism by fire for the rusty Bieksa, who led all Canucks with 23:19 off ice time.
"I don't want to say he looked tentative," Vigneault said. "But when you haven't played for so long and only had two practices.”
“I thought once the game got going he got better and did a good job for us."
TOMMOROW’S LINEUP
The Canucks arrived in Atlanta late last night to get ready for a date with the Thrashers on Friday evening.
Both Tanner Glass and Mikael Samuelsson missed this morning’s skate with upper and lower body injuries, respectively. It’s unlikely either will play tomorrow against the Thrashers.
“They’re both day-to-day,” said Coach Vigneault. “I don’t expect them in the next couple of days, but hopefully soon.”
If Samuelsson and Glass aren’t ready to go tomorrow, don’t expect any lineup changes.
Roberto Luongo, fresh of his stellar 39 save performance against the Red Wings, will get the start in net, with Cory Schneider expected to play Sunday in Columbus.
ART HART
Daniel and Henrik are now first and second in the NHL scoring race. Each registered two points in last night’s victory over the Red Wings, placing Daniel nine points up on Lightning winger Steven Stamkos and Henrik two points up on Stamkos.
The twins could become the first brother combination in NHL history to finish first and second in NHL scoring during the same season, as well as the first to win back to back Hart and Art Ross trophies.
Daniel will face some stiff completion for the Hart in June, but at this point, he looks like the favorite.
Daniel also scored his 40th goal of the season last night, the first time in his career he’s reached the marker.
"It's a good number," Henrik said. "He's reached 30 a couple of times, but has never really been close to 40. He's had a really good year."
FRANCHISE POINTS RECORD
The Canucks tied a franchise record for points in a season, gaining their 104th and 105th against the Red Wings in a 2-1 victory last night.
With eight games still left to play, the Canucks could shatter the old mark, and win 50 games for the first time ever. The team has won 49 games twice franchise history.
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