Canucks win again, beat Ducks
Vancouver back within 6 points of wild card
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — An unlikely performance from journeyman goalie Richard Bachman has the Vancouver Canucks thinking about a playoff push that seemed farfetched just a few days ago.
Bachman made 43 saves, Bo Horvat and Markus Granlund each scored and the Canucks beat the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Bachman got his first win since Oct. 30, 2015, in his first appearance this season for the Canucks.
“It feels really good,” said Bachman, who is unbeaten in two career starts for Vancouver. “Anytime you get to play in this league, it’s an awesome experience and opportunity. To win, it’s even more special.”
Bachman was solid throughout, including when he denied Rickard Rakell on a wraparound late in the third period. But the Ducks rarely challenged Bachman despite matching their season-high in shots.
After defeating Los Angeles and Anaheim on back-to-back nights, Vancouver is just six points behind St. Louis for the second wild card in the Western Conference.
“We’re doing little things right and finally just bounces are going our way,” said Horvat, who picked up a point for the third straight game. “We finally get that reward, it’s awesome.”
Vancouver hosts Montreal on Tuesday to open a five-game homestand.
NOTES: Horvat is the first Canucks’ player under the age of 22 to score 20 goals in a season since Daniel Sedin had 20 in 2000-01.