Canucks rout Hawks
VANCOUVER — Thomas Vanek had two goals and three assists, Brock Boeser added a goal and three assists, and the Vancouver Canucks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
Sam Gagner chipped in with two goals and an assist for Vancouver (16-17-5), which returned from the Christmas break with just its second victory in the last 10 games (2-7-1). Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves to get the win. Nick Schmaltz and Ryan Hartman replied for Chicago (17-14-5), which has lost three in a row after winning five straight. Backup goalie Anton Forsberg made 26 saves in taking the loss in place of injured starter Corey Crawford.
The Canucks snapped a 1-1 tie with seven minutes left in the second period when Vanek, who was robbed twice by Forsberg in the first, finally broke through.
Boeser played the puck behind the net to Gagner, and he found Vanek in front with a no-look pass that the veteran winger buried five-hole for his 11th goal of the season.
Vanek got his second of the night with 3:31 left when Boeser, who retook the NHL rookie scoring lead with his four points, fed a behind-the-back pass in front to set up his linemate’s 12th.
Vanek then played set-up man with 1:25 left on a slick back pass to Boeser for his 21st.
Boeser now has 16 points in his last 13 games.