Jonathan Lekkerimaki came through in a big way for the Vancouver Canucks, scoring the decisive goal in a shootout to lead his team to a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Newark.
Vancouver, now 33-26-12, saw Pius Suter score twice, with Lekkerimaki adding another goal in regulation. For the Devils (37-29-6), Timo Meier also netted two goals, while Erik Haula contributed one. Goaltender Thatcher Demko, making his first appearance since February, stopped 22 shots to secure the win. Jacob Markstrom, a former Canuck, faced 24 shots and recorded the loss.
With this win, Vancouver is just three points shy of the St. Louis Blues for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, holding a game in hand. This late-season push is crucial as teams jostle for better playoff positioning.
Social media reactions were buzzing following the game, especially from the Canucks’ official Twitter account, celebrating Lekkerimaki’s game-winning efforts.
The scoring started early. Suter found the net with his 21st goal of the season shortly into the first period, quickly putting Vancouver ahead. However, Meier answered for New Jersey, scoring two goals in the second. The first came on a power play as he capitalized on his rebound. His second goal gave the Devils a brief lead, only for Lekkerimaki to respond promptly to level the game at 2-2.
As the game progressed, Haula’s goal in the third looked like it might secure a win for New Jersey until Suter struck again, tying the game at 3-3 with just seconds left on the clock.
In overtime, Demko made an impressive save against New Jersey’s Paul Cotter. Lekkerimaki nearly gave Vancouver the win but misfired with his chance at the end.
Looking ahead, the Canucks will face the New York Islanders on Wednesday.
In injury news, Vancouver was without star forward Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander during this match. The Canucks went 0-for-2 on power plays, while New Jersey managed to convert 1-of-2 opportunities.
According to a recent analysis by sports expert Bill Simmons, Vancouver’s prospects for the playoffs hinge on strong performances from their key players, especially with crucial games approaching. They’ve shown resilience, with a record of 3-1 in shootouts this season, indicating they can perform under pressure.
As the regular season nears its end, every game counts, and the excitement within the league reflects that urgency.
For additional insights on playoff positioning and game strategies, check out NHL.com.
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