Brad Penner – USA TODAY Sports
In three of the Vancouver Canucks‘ four losses so far this season, scoring has been an issue. The Canucks managed just one goal in each of those games, yet on Tuesday night they showed just how dangerous their offense can be when it is firing on all cylinders. While opposing teams have long been wary of Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler as scoring threats, this season the Canucks have found that their scoring depth could be the key to more wins. Nine players have more than one goal this season, and few of them are household names. The Sedins have three goals each, but it is Brad Richardson, Mike Santorelli, and Kesler tied for the team lead with four goals each. Goaltender Roberto Luongo is playing well enough to get a win for Vancouver every night he starts, but he needs consistent offensive support – each win this season has featured at least three Canucks goals.
On Tuesday, Richardson was the hero with an overtime game-winner against the New York Islanders. Both Sedins found the back of the net during regulation, and Chris Higgins scored his third goal of the season. Jannik Hansen has two goals this season, and three defensemen (Chris Tanev, Alexander Edler and Kevin Bieksa) each have five points. Head coach John Tortorella recently turned a few heads by splitting up the Sedin twins, but that has so far allowed Higgins and Kesler to thrive on the top line and boosted Santorelli and Hansen on the second line. Zack Kassian has only played six games after returning from a suspension, and if he can find his offensive touch again he could end up moving to a top-six spot. The Canucks have two games remaining on their current seven-game road trip, and if their offense continues to show up in a big way they should head back to Vancouver with a very respectable record.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL featured columnist for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your circles on Google Plus.
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