The three-game sweep of the NHL from Monday night starts in Vancouver, where the Canucks rallied and ended the 12-game win streak of the Florida Panthers, 3-2, in extra time.
Daniel Sedin had two goals in the game including the game-winner.
Despite the loss, the Panthers picked up a point, their 13th straight game with points setting a franchise record.
“We’ve been playing close games a little bit too much instead of taking leads,” Florida forward Jonathan Huberdeau said. “That’s kind of caught up to us. It kind of [stinks] the streak is done, but at least we got a point and are ready for next game.”
Jacob Markstrom picked up the win for the Canucks with 26 saves.
Jake Virtanen scored for the Canucks in regulation.
Roberto Luongo took the loss on 27 saves.
“I thought [Luongo] played a great game,” said Florida assistant John Madden, who met with media because coach Gerard Gallant left the arena immediately after the game to return home for his mother’s funeral. “We looked a little bit like a tired team. We’ve been on quite a run for some time now. We did some good things, but we didn’t do enough to win.”
Jussi Jokinen and Jonathan Huberdeau gave Florida a 2-0 first period lead.
In New York, Jesper Fast scored on a slick deflection at 18:18 of the third period to send the New York Rangers to a 2-1 win over the slumping Boston Bruins.
“I was just standing in front of the net there and got a little lucky tip,” Fast said. “We do all of those in practice, so it’s a good feeling that it went in.”
Derick Brassard scored 35 seconds into the third to tie the game at one. Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello were essential on the tying goal from Brassard.
“They made the play and I just finished,” Brassard said.
Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves in the win, several of which were vintage saves in the third.
“After what happened last game (loss to Washington Capitals), we knew we could come back, we knew we could maybe turn it up a little bit,” Lundqvist said. “I thought we increased our intensity in the third. We did a really good job and we get rewarded in the end. It’s nice after what happened last game to get that bounce in the end.”
Jimmy Hayes scored the lone Bruins goal in the second period.
“We had some opportunities here to score, and we missed those,” Boston coach Claude Julien said. “Sometimes they go in for you, sometimes they don’t. At the same time, make an effort to try and get yourself better in those areas.”
Tuukka Rask had 28 saves for Boston in the loss.
“You definitely should (get one point from the game),” Rask said. “That last goal easily could have happened on the other end too. That’s what happens sometimes. These are the kind of games that you have to go in to win and be a successful team, and we didn’t.”
In Calgary, the visiting San Jose Sharks picked up their 14th road win of the season, 5-4 decision over the Flames.
Brent Burns, Joe Thornton, Joonas Donskoi, Logan Couture and Joel Ward scored for the Sharks.
“I think (we’re) just showing up and playing,” Couture said. “No pressure. Show up. Play. Keep it simple. [Jones] has played great. He bailed us out numerous times tonight. Made big-time saves. Anytime your goaltender is playing that well you have a good chance to win.”
Martin Jones made 31 saves for the win.
“We believe in each other,” Ward said. “Everyone has a positive belief in here. We stick together as a group. I think it’s shown the last couple days of what we’re capable of and we’ve got good depth. It’s just a matter of executing every night.”
Nine different skaters scored in the game four for the Flames. Sean Monahan, Dennis Wideman, Sam Bennett and Micheal Ferland scored for Calgary.
“There’s no secret how big these games are,” Flames center Matt Stajan said. “One of the reasons we were successful last season is we won the divisional games. That’s why we made the playoffs. We don’t have a good record against your own division, and it makes it that much harder to get there.
“We have half a season here, but these are games we have to find ways to win, otherwise you’re not going to get to the playoffs, that’s just the way it is.”
Karri Ramo made 13 saves in the loss.
“It was good for me to score and get some confidence back,” Couture said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve scored a goal in this League. It felt good. It’s something we wanted to try to create turnovers on the forecheck. When we do that, we’re successful. We got some bounces; they got some bounces. It was a weird game.”
The Flames are mired in a skid that has them losing four of five games at home all to Pacific Division rivals.
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