The table was set. The Vancouver Canucks were home, they were healthy, they were well-rested and they were playing the National Hockey League’s worst team.
What could go wrong?
Quite a bit, actually.
There aren’t really any gimme games in the NHL, but a home date with the Columbus Blue Jackets comes close.
The Canucks had to know that if they are to remain in the Western Conference playoff hunt they’d have to do Thursday night what nearly everyone else has been doing this season: beat the cellar-dwelling Blue Jackets.
They didn’t, blowing another third-period lead and losing 2-1 in a shootout at Rogers Arena to extend their losing streak to three games and fall further out of the playoff race.