Burrows scores in shootout, Canucks beat Ducks 2-1
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Alexandre Burrows picked a good time to snap a lengthy drought.
On an emotional night in which two former teammates - Kevin Bieksa and Ryan Kesler - returned to Rogers Center, Burrows scored in the first round of the shootout and Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves to help the Vancouver Canucks beat the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 on Friday night.
"It's been a while so it's always nice to contribute a little bit," said Burrows, who got an assist for his first point since Nov. 21. "I didn't know what to do. I went in and saw a spot and was able to hit it."
Burrows whipped a shot past Frederik Andersen to start the shootout, and then Markstrom stopped Ryan Kesler, Jakob Silfverberg and Corey Perry to end Anaheim's three-game win streak.
Christopher Tanev tied it with 9:36 left on a wrist shot from the blue line that slipped through traffic and past Andersen. Tanev had missed the previous two games with a foot injury.
Kesler, a former Canuck, put Anaheim ahead 7:24 into the second period on a power play. Kesler was checked down by Matt Bartkowski while taking in a feed from Chris Stewart atop the crease but still tipped the puck in past Markstrom.
"It felt good," said Kesler, who was booed every time he touched the puck. "I was just savoring the moment there."
The Canucks won for the first time this season when trailing after two periods.
Vancouver's Henrik Sedin had a breakaway in the dying seconds of overtime, but he lost the puck just in front Andersen, who finished the game with 24 saves.
"We were playing a little bit more defensive," Vancouver coach Willie Desjardins said. "I like playing offensive. I don't like sitting back as much as that. I'd rather get more aggressive, but we've gotten points out of games that we haven't in the past, so it's good."
Early in the third period, Perry nearly doubled Anaheim's lead, but his shot hit the left post.
Mike Santorelli and Rickard Rakell each hit iron on shots for the Ducks during the first period.
"We gave them nothing all night," Kesler said. "Even their goal was a wrist shot from the boards and it finds a way through traffic. That happens. Lucky goal. Lucky shot. I thought we played a pretty perfect game."
Canucks fans gave Bieksa - traded to Anaheim over the summer for a second-round pick - a standing ovation after a video tribute was played inside the arena early in the first period.
"The video brought back some memories," Bieksa said. "It was humbling. It was flattering and I appreciate the support of the fans. I had a great time here in Vancouver and wouldn't trade it for the world."
NOTES: The Canucks host Arizona on Monday night. ... The Ducks return to Anaheim to open a season-long eight-game homestand Sunday night against Winnipeg. ... Vancouver's Brandon Prust left the bench late in the second period after colliding with Kesler. ... Anaheim allowed an NHL-low 22 goals in the month of December.