SEDINS DELIVER
Henrik to Daniel, like we’ve seen so many times, for important tying goal
After 14 years and 1,090 games, this much we’ve come to know about the Sedins.
They don’t always deliver when the stakes are highest. They don’t always play the hero when a hero is needed. But after all this time, we know they’ll make the fight.
Monday night, when the Canucks needed some magic to go with their grit, the twins delivered and, in so doing, they might have delivered this city a playoff spot.
There are two games left for the Canucks and anything can still happen with this team. But know this: The Sedins will make the fight against Arizona and Edmonton. And that might just be enough.
On Monday night, with the Canucks trailing the L.A. Kings 1-0 and the game looking like just about every affair between these two teams since the 2012 playoffs, Henrik started to circle behind L.A. goalie Jonathan Quick, then threw a no-look, behind-the-back pass to his brother, who snapped home the tying goal midway through the third period.
Chris Higgins then scored the only goal of the shootout as Eddie Lack stopped, in order, Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik. The two points left the Canucks in position to control their own playoff destiny and, with wins over the Coyotes and the Oilers, they’ll finish second in the Pacific. But this team isn’t exactly predictable, is it? The game had started with the Kings’ Jeff Carter finding Dwight King’s stick for a redirect past Lack at the 1:13 mark and for the next two hours it looked like that goal would hold up as the winner.
Yes, the Canucks produced chances and yes, there was little to choose between the teams after King’s goal. But the Angelenos have made a living off winning these meat-grinder games over the last four years and this looked like another one they’d collect on pedigree.
And then Henrik found Daniel, like he’s been finding him all these years. This night it worked out. Maybe it won’t the next game. But they’ll be there. As always.
ewilles@theprovince.com