Canucks 2, Blues 0
CANUCKS 2, BLUES 0: Roberto Luongo turned aside all 29 shots he faced to make Alex Burrows' goal in the third period stand up as Vancouver thwarted visiting St. Louis' attempt to seize the NHL lead in points with a home victory.
Chris Higgins provided insurance by scoring an empty-net goal with 39 seconds left and defensemen Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa were credited with assists for the Canucks, who were able to preserve their third-period lead for the first time in three games. With the win, Vancouver improved to 7-0-1 in its last eight contests at Rogers Arena.
After the teams held each other in check for the first two periods, Vancouver drew first blood at 4:17 of the third.
Bieksa fanned on his point shot, but the puck caromed over to Hamhuis. His blast sailed wide of the net but Burrows alertly settled the puck on the doorstep and backhanded it past All-Star Brian Elliott for his 23rd goal of the season.
Luongo held the fort from there by stopping seven shots in the third period to secure his third shutout of the season and 58th career.
Elliott finished with 22 saves for the Blues, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end and remained tied with the Detroit Red Wings for first place in the Central Division.
St. Louis would have moved past Vancouver and atop the NHL in points had they won on Thursday. The Blues haven't led the league in points this late in a season since March 4, 2000.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Burrows has scored four goals against the Blues this season. ... St. Louis last won five in a row from Dec. 21-31, 2010. ... The teams split the season series.