THE BUZZ: The statement was made by the Canucks Thursday at GM Place as they trumped the Western Conference's top team 3-2, extending the Sharks losing streak to four games.
GOOD START: Vancouver grabbed an early 2-0 lead, converting on their first two powerplays as Alex Edler and Ryan Kesler scored under four minutes apart in the first. They also added an assist on each other's goal. The Canucks finished two-for-three on the man advantage.
ONE FOR ONE: Ryane Clowe powered past Christian Ehrhoff and tucked the puck behind Roberto Luongo in the second to put the Sharks within one but Ryan Johnson regained the two-goal lead late in the period, scoring his first of the year and first in 83 games going back to last season.
LATE TALLY: Joe Pavelski scored his 21st of the year with 3:08 remaining in regulation but it was not enough as Luongo made 32 saves for his 37th win of the year in a bounce-back effort, having been pulled the game before.
COACH TALK: "Trying to shut down those guys is about a team effort and a team commitment at both ends of the rink," said Alain Vigneault. "They're a tough team. They've got so much movement when they have the puck, makes it real hard when it's on the backcheck or endzone coverage."
GRABS RETURN: Filling in for the injured Mikael Samuelsson, Michael Grabner returned to the Canucks lineup, recording two shots and 11:07 of ice time.
UP NEXT: A desparate Red Wings team looking to hang on to the final playoff spot in the West head into Vancouver Saturday to play the Canucks, who have lost twice to Detroit this season.
