The Vancouver Canucks find themselves in unfamiliar territory after seeing their eight-game road winning streak come to a halt on Wednesday.
The Canucks look to dust themselves off on Friday afternoon when they visit the Buffalo Sabres for the fourth leg of their six-game road trip.
Vancouver dropped a 5-4 decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, marking their first loss away from British Columbia since a 4-1 setback to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 15.
The Canucks limped out of the blocks and surrendered four goals in the first period on Wednesday, much to the chagrin of head coach Rick Tocchet.
“The first period, obviously, we gifted the goals,” Tocchet said. “Seemed like anything they shot went in, but we also gifted some goals. Then you’re behind 4-1.”
Vancouver allowed another goal at 3:40 of the second period before Pius Suter responded 10 minutes later. Defenseman Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson each tallied in the third, however the Canucks could not complete the comeback.
“I liked the battle back from us,” Pettersson said, “But we can’t come out with an effort like that to start and expect to win a game.”
Hughes collected a goal and two assists on Wednesday to boost his point total to 15 (three goals, 12 assists) in 12 games this month. Pettersson, in turn, scored and set up a goal versus the Penguins to give him 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in his last nine contests.
Conor Garland notched an assist to extend his point streak to six games (two goals, five assists).
Kevin Lankinen is expected to return to the crease following a night off on Wednesday. He owns a sterling 10-3-2 record and has won all eight of his starts on the road this season.
The Sabres returned home from a successful four-game road trip (3-1-0) only to be shut out for the first time this season in a 1-0 setback to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.
Buffalo’s Tage Thompson told reporters that he didn’t think his team had reason to hang its head, however, especially after matching a season high with 39 shots on goal.
“Honestly, I think we played a really good game (on Wednesday). I don’t think we can let that discourage us,” Thompson said. “Obviously, it stings when you lose, especially one like that where you feel like you outplayed them most of the night. Sometimes you run into a hot goalie and (there is) not much you can do. You’ve just got to find ways to get one.”
Thompson recorded six shots on goal in his return from a five-game absence due to a lower-body injury.
“Felt great,” Thompson said. “Obviously, you miss that much time, lungs are burning a little bit, legs are a little heavy first few, and then you get into a rhythm and start to feel good. I felt I got better as the game wore on.”
Despite missing time, Thompson still leads the Sabres with 11 goals on the season. His 18 points are three shy of the club lead held by Alex Tuch, who also has a team-best 14 assists.
