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Torts says Canucks ‘have lost ourselves a little bit’

Eddie Lack, Corey Perry, Cam Fowler, Ryan Kesler

Vancouver Canucks goalie Eddie Lack reacts as the winning goal sails into the net off Anaheim Ducks right winger Corey Perry (10), celebrating behind him, in overtime of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) and Canucks center Ryan Kesler (17) skate near. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

AP

The Vancouver Canucks went to Southern California this weekend, and all they got was one lousy point.

And frankly, they were lucky to get it.

On Saturday, the Canucks were outshot 49-28 in Los Angeles and fell 3-1 to the Kings. The next night, in Anaheim, they were outshot 49-20 and lost 4-3 in overtime to the Ducks.

If not for the performances of their goalies -- Roberto Luongo in L.A.; Eddie Lack in Anaheim -- the scorelines could’ve been a lot worse.

“We have lost ourselves a little bit,” said coach John Tortorella. “You know, we’re a little bit beat up. I never want to use it as an excuse; we’re a little bit beat up. I think we’re playing against a different level of team, especially the past couple of nights. But we have some work to do.”

Now winless in four, the Canucks played without a number of injured veterans versus the Ducks, including Alex Burrows and Alex Edler -- both of whom have been out a while -- and Chris Higgins, who reportedly missed the game with the flu. Then, to make matters worse, Zack Kassian took a skate to the face early in the second period and never returned.

But things aren’t about to get any easier. On Tuesday, Pittsburgh’s in town. Friday, it’s St. Louis. And then it’s off to SoCal once again to play the Kings and Ducks, followed by a trip to Phoenix.

Which is to say, if the Canucks don’t find themselves soon, they could be right back on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

Related: Luongo’s issue might be worse than day-to-day