GAME ESSENTIALS

THE SKINNY

Down two goals, the Canucks played one of their most inspired third periods since their long, painful slide from the playoff s began 10 weeks ago. They outshot the Capitals 17- 3 and got goals from Nicklas Jensen ( right) and Shawn Matthias to pull into a 3- 3 tie. The Canucks dominated, but surrendered a deflected winner to Mike Green at 10: 19 on Washington’s fi rst shift of sustained pressure. Evgeny Kuznetsov had three assists for the Capitals at the Verizon Center.

THE DIFFERENCE

Washington’s power play was ranked second in the NHL, Vancouver’s 27th. So it wasn’t surprising that special teams decided the game, as the Capitals’ power play went 1- for- 2 while the Canucks’ was 0- for- 3. Alex Ovechkin ( lower right), a non- factor at even- strength except for his minus- two rating, hammered a one- timer from his favoured left- wing launching pad for his 45th goal of the season.

LUONGO VS. CANUCKS

The Canucks stayed overnight in Washington and fl y Saturday to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where they will practise ahead of Sunday’s matinee against the Florida Panthers. All- time Canucks wins leader, Roberto Luongo ( right), will play goal against his former team after getting traded back to the Panthers last week. It’s a toss- up whether the Canucks will go with former Panther Jacob Markstrom or new No. 1 Eddie Lack.

DOING THE MATH

With the Canucks losing again and the Dallas Stars collecting a point in a 4- 3 shootout loss at home against the Calgary Flames, Vancouver fell fi ve points out of a playoff spot. And since the Stars have played three fewer games, the Canucks probably need to win at least 11 or 12 of their fi nal 13 games just to give themselves a chance at a Stanley Cup tournament berth. Vancouver last missed the playoff s in 2008.