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VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks can take a major step towards the NHL postseason with a victory Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche. But not as large a step as the Avalanche can.
The Canucks play Colorado at General Motors Place, the second of four consecutive home games to end the regular season. Vancouver holds down the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and trails the sixth-place Avalanche by three points in the standings.
The Canucks cannot clinch a playoff berth on Tuesday, even with a regulation victory and a loss by the Edmonton Oilers, who play the Calgary Flames. But there are three scenarios whereby the Avalanche can punch its ticket to the Stanley Cup tournament:
1) With a victory.
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- Calgary Flames
- Colorado Avalanche
- Edmonton Oilers
- Nashville Predators
- Vancouver Canucks
- Kevin Bieksa
- Milan Hejduk
- Aaron Miller
- Mattias Ohlund
- Mason Raymond
2) With an overtime or shootout loss and a Nashville Predators loss of any variety to the St. Louis Blues.
3) With a Predators regulation loss against St. Louis.
The Canucks are not so fortunate, and still have one eye on the rear-view mirror where the Predators and Oilers are in chase just one and two points behind, respectively. Vancouver snapped a four-game losing skid with a victory Sunday against the Flames. That win means the Canucks control their own playoff destiny and would make the postseason if they win their remaining games.
The mood in the Canucks dressing room is "way better" than it was heading into the game Sunday, defenceman Kevin Bieksa said.
"We're in the top eight now… and we know we're in the playoff for sure if we win out," he said. "It's a lot more positive in here, but it's still focused."
Colorado has won five straight games against the Canucks and forward Milan Hejduk has nine career game-winners against Vancouver. But the Canucks have also regained their form at GM Place, having earned seven wins and 17 points in their last 11 home games.
"We have to play much better tonight [against Colorado] and we're aware of that," head coach Alain Vigneault said. "They've got a great rush[ing] team because they have a lot a skill up front and their [defencemen] really jump up and attack."
Vigneault said that injured defenceman Mattias Ohlund (knee) is now skating lightly and ahead of schedule. Ohlund underwent surgery less than three weeks ago and, despite his encouraging progress, will still miss the remainder of the regular season. Vigneault seemed to suggest that 10-year veteran would be back for the playoffs, however, if Vancouver makes it that far. Forward Mason Raymond (knee) is also expected back in a couple of weeks.
On the other side, defenceman Aaron Miller (shoulder) is "just not working out right now," according to his coach and continues to be lost for an indefinite period.
