Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Brad Richardson had two goals and an
assist to support a 21-save effort from Eddie Lack as the Vancouver Canucks
posted an impressive 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at CONSOL Energy
Center.
Shawn Matthias added a goal and an assist in the Canucks’ NHL-best 11th road
win of the season, while Lack was rarely challenged by a lethargic Penguins
team in recording his fifth career shutout and first of 2014-15.
Thomas Greiss finished with 28 saves for Pittsburgh, which was blanked for
only the second time this season.
Richardson set the tone early for a more determined Vancouver squad, beginning
his banner night by one-timing a backhand feed from Matthias past Greiss while
stationed in front of the Pittsburgh net 8:33 in.
The Penguins had a golden opportunity to tie it a few minutes later, but
Sidney Crosby missed a wide-open net on a power play and the Canucks
ultimately killed off the penalty.
Vancouver then dominated the sluggish Penguins in the second, putting up 14
shots to Pittsburgh’s five and potting two more goals.
The Penguins left Matthias uncovered just past the midway mark of the frame,
allowing the forward to roof home Richardson’s behind-the-net pass for a 2-0
lead.
A misplay by Greiss with Pittsburgh on a power play enabled the Canucks to
extend the margin just over two minutes later. Jannik Hansen bumped the
goaltender off the puck as Greiss attempted to clear it from behind his own
net, then sent it to a trailing Richardson for an easy tap-in with 6:06 left
in the second.
The Penguins came up empty on another man-advantage chance in the final
period, during which Lack came up with eight saves to polish off the shutout.
Game Notes
Vancouver improved to 11-4-0 as the visitor … Pittsburgh lost in regulation
to a Canadian team for the first time since a 5-0 setback at Ottawa on Dec. 23
of last season. The Pens had gone 11-0-3 in their last 11 meetings with
Canadian clubs … Penguins defenseman Robert Bortuzzo began serving a two-
game suspension for a hit to the head of New Jersey’s Jaromir Jagr in
Tuesday’s meeting with the Devils … Pittsburgh forward Craig Adams skated in
his 313th consecutive game, tying Ron Schock’s franchise record.
