THE BUZZ: A shootout winner by Mikael Samuelsson in a boring affair gave the Canucks a 2-1 win Thursday over the L.A. Kings, improving Vancouver's record to 7-6. It was also the Canucks' second straight road win, and their fourth victory in the past five games.
RAYZOR: Making his first start as a Canuck, goaltender Andrew Raycroft was solid in place of the injured Roberto Luongo, making 30 saves on the night. Meanwhile, Kings' netminder Jon Quick only faced 15 shots, stopping 14 of them.
FIRST: Scott Parse got his first NHL goal in the first period, one-timing the puck past Raycroft to put the Kings up 1-0. Although L.A. led 12-4 in shots after the opening frame, the Canucks escaped the period with a 1-1 tie thanks to a Samuelsson tally -his sixth of the season- with 1:24 left. With an assist on the goal, Henrik Sedin now has five points in three games.
FROM D TO W: With Sami Salo returning to the lineup from a knee injury, defenceman Aaron Rome was moved to a winger position to play against the Anze Kopitar line. However, Rome's linemate Alex Bolduc left in the second period with an undisclosed injury and did not return.
UP NEXT: Vancouver will have very little time to reflect on the win, as they head to Anaheim to play the Ducks tonight. The other L.A. team has struggled so far this season, sitting 14th in the Western Conference with a 3-6-1 record.
