Canucks 2, Red Wings 1
NHL points leader Daniel Sedin scored twice as the Vancouver Canucks shaded the host Detroit Red Wings 2-1 Wednesday night in a showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference.
Sedin increased his season point total to 95 while brother Henrik had an assist to move to 87 points, giving him sole possession of second place in the scoring race. The victory leaves Vancouver one win shy of equaling its franchise record achieved twice before.
Jiri Hudler had the lone goal for the Red Wings, who trail the Canucks by 10 points in the race for the West title. Both teams have eight regular-season games remaining.
Sedin put Vancouver in front at 6:31 of the middle frame after his centering attempt caromed off Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom's skate and past Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard.
He extended the lead on a Canucks power play midway through the third period. Howard kicked out Sedin's initial shot with his right pad but the rebound deflected right to Henrik, who fed Daniel at the right point.
Daniel's slapshot beat a prone Howard – who had lost his stick in the scramble – for his 40th goal of the season and eighth in the past nine games.
Hudler closed the gap on the man advantage 2:09 later, banging home a loose puck after Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo made the first save on a point shot by Lidstrom.