- [Narrator] The Canucks close out February with a pair of
back-to-back road games against Western Conference
opponents, all teams fighting for that coveted and elusive
Wild Card spot.
(players talking, banging stick on boards)
- We're playing big games, obviously we're chasing
this team, both of these games are important.
- [Narrator] The trip begins in Colorado where a fresh
new face arrives in Denver to meet the team.
Forward Tanner Pearson joins the Canucks at the
morning skate after being acquired from Pittsburgh
at the trade deadline.
Pearson is eager to make a good impression with his
third team of the season.
- It's definitely been a hectic couple days but I'm glad
to be here, the guys welcomed me this morning with open arms
so fresh start here and hopefully it re-energizes me and
gets it going again.
- Done, done and done.
(upbeat music)
- Starting up front, we've got Spoons.
With Leivs,
In the centre, the altitude doesn't effect him
Bowie Horvat.
Stechican on D
Hutty
. ..and Jokab in the net
- [Narrator] Pearson in his Canucks debut will get
an opportunity to showcase his skills with a couple of
the best young players in the league, playing alongside
Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson.
Spooner's out there now, puts one in front
Leivo scores!
The Canucks weather the storm and force overtime,
where Pearson gets a chance to win it for his new team.
- [Announcer] Leivo with Pearson, Stecher's the trailer,
wants the pass, it's in front, Pearson ... stopped by
Varlamov, puck was loose, and the whistle blew with the
puck on the goal line.
- Upon review, the call on the ice stands, we have no goal.
- [Announcer] Brock Boeser had the winner in L.A.
Here he comes in round 2 ... scores!
- [Narrator] Colorado outlasts the Canucks in a shootout,
the final score 3-2.
- [Pearson] You know, Marks gave us a really really good
chance to win it and he did his job for us to stay in it.
We just weren't able to get that last one.
It stinks but, you know, there's a game tomorrow.
- [Narrator] Not happy about leaving a point behind,
the Canucks try to remain positive as they head to the
desert to face another hungry rival in less than
24 hours time.
Arizona enters the contest on a four game winning streak,
looking to sweep the season series against Vancouver
and extend their lead over the Canucks in the standings.
There's good news on the injury front for Vancouver
as the club welcomes Alex Edler and Adam Gaudette
back into the lineup, while Thatcher Demko will
get the start.
- Let's own the gray areas, alright?
Real strong at ours, smart at theirs,
and we want shots early.
- Good to have you back Gauds, let's go let's go.
- [Announcer] A nice save there by Demko, now a lead pass
and here's Pearson on a breakaway ... scores!
Tanner Pearson with his first as a Canuck.
- [Narrator] It's the new guy who gets the team going
as Pearson scores his first goal as a Canuck, an equalizer
on a breakaway in the first period.
- [Announcer] Biega to Roussel, cuts to the middle,
wrist shot ... scores!
- [Edler] We played good at times, but then we make some
costly mistakes, you know at this time of year, those
mistakes, they can't happen.
- [Narrator] The team travels to Las Vegas for the final
game of the trip, where another two crucial points
will be on the line.
A scheduled practice day gives the coaching staff
a chance to shuffle the lines and work on the power play.
- [Horvat] It was nice to get a day and a half off there
and kinda regroup and get ready to go for tomorrow.
(players talking)
- [Coach] Quite easily could've had a few more power play
goals, could've stretched the game, so we're trying
something new: two units that we think are capable
of scoring.
(dramatic music)
- Go Canucks! - Go Canucks!
- [Player] They obviously thrive off the building
and their fans, so we gotta be ready for that.
- [Announcer] Here comes Vegas, four Knights through
center, Marchessault in front, and ... oh, marvelous save
by Markstrom as it came right across the crease
to Reilly Smith.
- [ Horvat] I think we lean on him a little too much.
He's been unbelievable for us all year and we gotta start
scoring some goals for him.
If we have any chance of making the playoffs and making
a push here, we gotta be a lot better than that.
- [Accouncer] Jacob Markstrom makes 45 saves in a
Sunday afternoon battle with the Golden Knights,
but with no offense, the Canucks will return home
with just one of a possible six points.