Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored the winner in a shootout, leading the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-3 win over the host New Jersey Devils in NHL action Monday night in Newark, N.J.
Pius Suter (2) and Lekkerimaki scored in regulation for Vancouver (33-26-12). Timo Meier (2) and Erik Haula scored for the Devils (37-29-6). Thatcher Demko, seeing his first action since Feb. 8, stopped 22 shots to earn the goaltending win for Vancouver. Ex-Canuck Jacob Markstrom took the loss, making 24 saves.
With the win, the Canucks sit three points behind the St. Louis Blues in the chase for the final Western Conference wildcard spot. Vancouver has a game in hand.
We said it before and we'll say it again...
鈥� Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)
LET'S GO, LEKKERIM脛KI!
Suter opened the scoring with his 21st goal of the year 10:09 into the first period, winning a faceoff back to defenceman Marcus 台湾MM裸聊室 and slotting a return pass past Markstrom.
Meier pulled the Devils even at 1-1 on the power-play midway through the second period, knocking home his own rebound.
Another Meier tally 11:02 into the second (off a rebound of a Brendan Dillon shot) gave the Devils the lead, only to have the Canucks equalize 45 seconds later when Lekkerimaki converted a Derek Forbort pass to make it 2-2. Lekkerimaki has three goals on the season.
At 13:25 of the third, Haula beat Teddy Blueger on a faceoff, went to the net and slotted home a rebound of a Brian Dumoulin point shot to make it 3-2.
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With Demko pulled for an extra attacker, Vancouver鈥檚 Quinn Hughes fired a point shot through a maze of bodies, with Suter getting credit for jamming home the rebound to pull Vancouver even at 3-3 with 36 seconds left in regulation.
In overtime, Demko made a huge save off New Jersey鈥檚 Paul Cotter and Lekkerimaki fired a shot just wide as he was in alone on Markstrom with just seconds to play.
Vancouver continues its six-game road swing Wednesday against the New York Islanders.
NOTES: Vancouver forward Elias 台湾MM裸聊室 and Nils Hoglander missed the game with injuries鈥� New Jersey went 1-for-2 on the power play, while the Canucks were scoreless in their two attempts鈥� The Canucks are 3-1 in shootouts this season.
