The Vancouver Canucks have enough drama around them, what with their interminable goalie situation and the subtle fears that their championship window is closing. They don't need to start a playoff series off like this.
Canucks vs. Sharks Game 2 Update: Needing a win, Vancouver starts flat at home
The home team in this series is not playing like a home team.
Already trailing the San Jose Sharks 1-0 in a series where they have home ice advantage, the Canucks managed only four shots on goal in the first period of Game 2. Sharks center Joe Thornton had the only goal, and San Jose took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Canucks took the only two penalties in the first period, and they began the second with a familiar family member shooting them in the foot: Alexandre Burrows was called for running the goaltender.
Though, to be fair, even noted Canucks skeptics and Burrows critics thought that was a tough call:
That, folks, is an Alex Burrows reputation call. The good news? We now can confirm he is playing in this series.
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 4, 2013
Fortunately, the Canucks killed that one off.
In the second period, they're playing better -- though they dodged a bullet when Joe Pavelski's apparent goal was waived off because the officials ruled Roberto Luongo had been run by Tommy Wingels. (If you're new to hockey, yes there really is a player named Tommy Wingels.)
Luongo had been run, but it looked like it was his own teammate Mason Raymond's fault. You be the judge:
Regardless, the Canucks were starting to push. They may be waking up.
More in the NHL:
See More:
