Oilers ventilate Roberto Luongo with six goals in third period
Vancouver Canucks fans have one more reason to feel a sense of trepidation going into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Late in the third period in Edmonton, the Oilers scored five unanswered goals on Roberto Luongo in less than four minutes on their way to a 7-2 victory.
The veteran goalie looked great for the first 47 minutes of the game in Edmonton, making many clutch saves.
But everything fell apart beginning with Justin Schultz's eighth goal of the season at 13:17 of the third period. Nail Yakupov later scored his second and third of the game, interspersed by Jordan Eberle's second of the game and Jerred Smithson's first.
It wasn't entirely Luongo's fault as the defence practically vanished in front of him, allowing 20 shots on goal in the final period.
The Canucks looked strong in the first period, with centre Derek Roy scoring the only goal of the frame on a power play.
Edmonton came back late in the second to tie it on Eberle's first goal.
Early in the third period, the teams traged goals—the first by Yakupov at 2:21, which was followed by ridiculous-looking celebration that saw him jump into the boards.
Just over a minute later, Tom Sestito tied it for the Canucks, putting on a similar display of enthusiasm.
Luongo was in the net for the second straight game because Cory Schneider reportedly came up injured after a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks earlier in the week.
Before the game started, Vancouver was already guaranteed third place in the Western Conference. So coach Alain Vigneault rested Daniel Sedin, Jason Garrison, Alex Edler, and Alex Burrows. Henrik Sedin was on the ice for only 22 seconds to maintain his iron-man streak.
It's not out of the question that Schneider is ready for the postseason, and his "injury" was a ruse by Vigneault to give him more rest.
But if Schneider turns out to be truly hurt, Canucks fans will be feeling more nervous, given what happened in the third period tonight.
The Canucks will host San Jose Sharks in the first round of the playoffs at Rogers Arena.
That's because the Los Angeles Kings ended up in fifth place in the Western Conference by defeating the Sharks 3-2 tonight.
The Kings will take on the fourth-place conference finishers, the St. Louis Blues.
The last time the Sharks visited Rogers Arena, the Canucks lost in a shootout. Vancouver also lost both road games this season against the Sharks.
Comments
17 Comments
ACMESalesRep
Apr 27, 2013 at 11:41pm
The team fell apart in front of him and it looked like Luongo checked out once the game was out of hand – and quite frankly, I can't say as I blame him. I'd have probably stopped giving a damn some time ago, under the circumstances.
Steve O
Apr 28, 2013 at 12:28am
Gongo
Pucktard
Apr 28, 2013 at 8:11am
Hope when Luongo leaves Vigneault goes with him. What a terrible way to let Luongo play his last regular season game for the Canucks. Vigneault should be ashamed.
Jeff Matthers
Apr 28, 2013 at 8:33am
It wasn't entirely Lou's fault????
It wasn't at all Lou's fault.
The team gave up in front of him and left him like a duck in a shooting machine. And once again he got all the blame for it. It's been happening for three years people. It happens to Schneider too, you just haven't noticed it yet because he's only got one playoff series under his belt (and not a full one at that).
But, at least they let Sedin keep his Ironman streak alive. It's a good thing the team is more important than the individuals on it. Maybe he and Danny will even think about showing up in the playoffs this time around. But probably not. The goalie is the least of their problems.
Cameron
Apr 28, 2013 at 9:07am
I gave up on Luongo the season before the fans boo'd him on the ice, Cory was rising to his game long before Vigneault gave him the chance to really shine. The only thing I envy is luongo's salary, the highest paid seat in the arena while watching each game on the bench.
The Facts.
Apr 28, 2013 at 9:30am
Alain Vigneault rested some of the teams the best players, ...& played guys from the minors.......Not fair what happened to Louogo,.....if you watched the game last night Edmonton was peppering him with shot & he did make some good saves but in the end it was too much,... not cool to sit an elite player like Louongo for the bulk of the season then put him in net & have backed by 4th & 5th string players......& as for Schieder & his injury..I'm pretty sure they're just resting him for the playoffs.
kiskatinawkid
Apr 28, 2013 at 9:36am
Luongo is the best goalie the Canucks have ever had. Yea, he's blown some games, but no one is perfect. He also backs a team that is flaky at best. But not near as flaky as their fans, most of whom have the mental capacity of a turnip!
Hopefully he gets traded so he can get on with his career and the Canucks can carry on floundering in the playoffs.
Dan
Apr 28, 2013 at 10:09am
Get over yourselves folks. The real season starts soon and then you can complain.
Lucy For Lou
Apr 28, 2013 at 10:25am
Agree it wasn't fair for Lou. Don't blame him for leaving right after game - He was USED and abandoned by the team he STILL supports 100% - Well,Coach did anyway. Teammates support him I'm sure. Any haters need to be ashamed - he has done VERY well for us!!
LeRoy
Apr 28, 2013 at 11:06am
the coach has it in for him. Luoango was left helpless with 5 against 3 and the same, so it seems, with the rest of the period- as the defence collapsed. 'Vin-Not' has more ego than the best of his players, and what for. Luck? He could have put the back up in, called a time out and reemed the defence. Nah.... Vin Not, just let the goalie suffer the humiliation, and blithely chat-up the press after the game. Luoango had a quick shower and left. Great for Team Harmony Vin Not!