Canucks Network Forum | Vancouver Canucks Hockey: Canucks Network Forum | Vancouver Canucks Hockey -> And so something gave

After falling to a disappointing 0-3-0 start to the season, the Canucks lit-up the Montreal Canadiens and Carey Price for 7 goals Wednesday night at GM Place.

After scoring only 5 goals in their first 3 games, the Canucks tentative offensive exploded, connecting on 3 of 4 powerplays and chasing Price from his first start back in his hometown.

The difference between the Canucks earlier this season and Wednesday night was the ability to turn opportunity into goals. After averaging nearly 40 shots a game in their first 3 but only averaging 2 goals a game, the Canucks looked to shake things up early by changing their lineup.

Sergei Shirokov, the highly touted Russian who had an impressive pre-season, was scratched in favor of sandpaper forward Tanner Glass. By injecting more grit into the lineup, head coach Alain Vigneault hoped to spark the team and it paid off handsomely.

Roberto Luongo, who was under heavy criticism for his inability to make crucial saves in the first 3 games, looked more like the Luongo of old and was only beaten by a deceptive shot by Andrei Kostitsyn in the 2nd period. Prior to the goal, the Canucks netminder stopped 3 consecutive scoring chances off a hot Habs powerplay. Late in the third, Luongo kept the lead by 6 after sprawling on his back to stop the puck after a scrum clashed in front of the crease.

By simplifying the play and keeping things to a basic play, the Canucks managed to shake off their early bad habits and eventually made the hometown debut of Carey Price a real nightmare. After scoring 7 goals on 31 shots including 3 breakaway goals by Kesler, Raymond and Henrik Sedin, Price was pulled in favor of Jaroslav Halak-- with plenty of friends and family in the crowd to witness.

Rick Rypien once again proved his worth by taking on a David-and-Goliath task of fighting Habs defender Hall Gill. Despite a difference of nearly 9 inches, Rypien managed to hold his own against his massive opponent and was an early catalyst for 2 more goals in the 3rd period.

Henrik Sedin had a game-leading 3 points with 2 goals, and went 16-for-23 in the faceoff circle. Daniel Sedin's foot was examined by team doctors during the 2nd intermission after blocking a shot in the middle frame. Prior the game, Darcy Hordichuk was fined $2,500 for his hit on Columbus forward Jared Boll. The Toronto Maple Leafs were fined $25,000 for tampering charges by the NHL. The incident occurred in early June when head coach Ron Wilson indicated the team would pursue the Sedin twins-- before they were Unrestricted Free Agents.

THREE STARS:
1) Henrik Sedin
2) Ryan Kesler
3) Steve Bernier