VANCOUVER — One night after effectively ending the Edmonton Oilers' quest for the NHL playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks have an opportunity to solidify a post-season invitation.
The Canucks face the Minnesota Wild at GM Place on Friday night in a showdown for the Northwest Division lead. But for the moment, more important than the head-to-head race with Minnesota, is the distance between Vancouver and the playoff bubble.
With a win tonight, the Canucks would move eight points clear of a post-season berth – a Good Friday, indeed. It would take an unthinkable collapse to blow such a lead with just seven games remaining.
Of course, the Canucks don't yet see it that way. Head coach Alain Vigneault was loath to look in the rear-view mirror, instead choosing to look at what lies ahead, and he wasn't yet willing to count chickens.
“Right now, obviously, the first goal is to get to the playoffs,” he said Friday morning after the Canucks held an optional skate. “That being said, though, I think you always have to look ahead and we have a chance here to have the opportunity to battle for first place in our division. It's an extremely competitive and tight division and we've got a crack at it tonight.”
The Canucks currently sit in a sixth-place tie with the Calgary Flames in the Western conference, one point behind the division-leading Wild.
A regulation win would move Vancouver into first place, while an overtime or shootout win by Vancouver would create a tie.
A win would also insulate the Canucks' playoff hopes from a losing streak because the ninth-place Nashville Predators would have to make-up eight points in just seven games. More likely, if the Predators did get hot and catch a current playoff team, it would be the Colorado Avalanche, which has 84 points and has played one more game than Vancouver, Minnesota and Calgary.
The Canucks, who are seeking a second consecutive division title, are in the second of nine straight games against divisional foes. After tonight, Vancouver embarks on a three-game road trip next week before coming home for four straight games to end the season.
“It's always good motivation for us to play at home,” defenceman Luc Bourdon said. “That last stretch runs at home and I'm sure our fans will be crazier than normal.”
The Northwest winner is likely to be seeded third in the Western Conference, and will likely face the second-place division finisher in the opening round of the playoffs. The third- and fourth-place teams in the division are also likely to make the playoffs, but are likely to face the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings, respectively, in the opening round.
Vigneault confirmed that Roberto Luongo will start in goal, making his 25th straight star. He also said Ryan Kesler, who took a shot off the leg in a 4-1 win over Edmonton on Thursday, did not require treatment Friday morning and is expected to play.
