Canucks 1, Sharks 2 (OT)
The Skinny: Devon Setoguchi tied the game with 40 seconds to go, and Patrick Marleau scored the game-winner on a power play in overtime, as the Sharks defeated the Canucks for the third time this season. Roberto Luongo stopped 27 shots and Taylor Pyatt scored his second goal in as many games in a losing effort.
The Chance: Mats Sundin could have put the game out of reach on a breakaway with 3:31 to go, but Evgeni Nabokov thwarted Sundin’s backhand attempt with his right pad.
The Captain: He’s back. Not only did Roberto Luongo hold the league’s best team at bay for more than 59 minutes, but he looked sharp tracking the puck, was rarely out of position and made a number of signature saves, including a point-saving snag with his trapper while sitting on his butt.
The Old Man: 43-year-old Claude Lemieux was effective in his first NHL game since 2003. Lemieux was credited with three shots and three hits in about seven minutes of ice time while skating on the Sharks’ fourth line.
The Rating: Vancouver’s defensive gameplan did not make for great aesthetics, but it was one of the Canucks’ best efforts in weeks. *** 1/2 (out of 5)
The Next Game: Other than Luongo and Mason Raymond, who are part of the all-star festivities this weekend in Montreal, the Canucks are off until next Wednesday when they host Nashville.
