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Sharks can’t protect two-goal lead, lose key game vs. Canucks

Vancouver Canucks v San Jose Sharks

Vancouver Canucks v San Jose Sharks

Don Smith

The San Jose Sharks got off to a strong start, but the Vancouver Canucks battled back to earn an important 3-2 victory Saturday night.

Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack certainly did his part tonight. Granted, he did allow the Sharks to take a 2-0 lead by 11:51 of the first period, but he ended up stopping 38 shots tonight to facilitate the Canucks’ comeback.

Radim Vrbata played a big role in that effort as he got the Canucks on the board late in the first period and then netted the game-winner at 5:21 of the third frame:

That was his 25th goal and 48th point in 62 contests in 2014-15.

While Lack and Vrbata deserve recognition for their efforts, the Sharks also had some bad luck tonight, including this example:

Nevertheless, San Jose had an opportunity to walk away with two points and couldn’t capitalize on it. Had the Sharks won, they would have moved within two points of both Vancouver and Calgary in the battle for a Pacific Division playoff spot. Now Vancouver has 78 points and the second seed in the division, Calgary ranks third with 76 points, and the Sharks are stuck at 72 points despite the fact that they’ve played in one more contest than the Canucks and Flames.

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