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BOX SCORE
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Los Angeles Kings goalie
Stephane Fiset, rounding into top form for the playoffs, dealt a serious blow to Vancouver's postseason aspirations Wednesday night.
|  | | Donald Brashear, left, was back on the ice six weeks after being slashed by Marty McSorely, and even got physical with L.A.'s Craig Johnson. |
Fiset made 36 saves as the Kings tied 1-1 with the Canucks, the
fourth straight start in which he has allowed one goal.
There was good news for Vancouver: Donald Brashear played for the first time since Marty McSorley's two-handed stick attack left
the Canucks forward with a concussion six weeks ago.
Vancouver outshot the injury-riddled Kings 37-20 and completely
dominated the offensive chances. But Fiset kept Los Angeles in the
game with several huge stops, including 13 in the first period.
"It's really important right now for the goalie to keep the
team in the game all the time," Fiset said.
"We have to be ready for the playoffs. It's all just
preparation for the playoffs. It's not a switch you can turn on
anytime. You have to play good before the playoffs start."
The single point gave Vancouver 81 and left it three behind
eighth-place Edmonton for the final playoff spot. The Canucks need
wins in both remaining games, including Friday's home matchup with
the Oilers, plus an Edmonton loss to Calgary on Saturday to have
any chance at its first postseason appearance in four years.
Vancouver travels to San Jose for the season finale Sunday.
"We played hard for 65 minutes and couldn't seem to beat
Fiset," Vancouver captain Mark Messier said. "We probably played
the best game we have in a while and it's funny the way things can
go. We held them defensively and got all kinds of offensive
chances, but Fiset played a big game for them and he was probably
the difference."
The Kings are one point ahead of Phoenix for fifth place in the
Western Conference.
Brashear missed 20 games with post-concussion syndrome.
The left winger was greeted with loud cheers when he stepped
onto the ice for his first shift 1:31 into the game. The cheers got
louder when he made his first hit just five seconds later.
After practicing for the last two weeks, he was finally given
medical clearance to return to action Monday.
Messier opened the scoring with his 16th goal just 52 seconds
into the second period. Messier one-timed a beautiful
behind-the-back pass from Markus Naslund for career goal 627. The
goal moved Messier within one of Steve Yzerman for sixth place on
the NHL's career scoring list.
Jaroslav Modry tied the game with Messier in the penalty box. Modry's weak wrist shot from the point glanced off a leg in front
of the net and beat Felix Potvin between the legs.
The Kings were playing without four regulars, including
defenseman Rob Blake, Ziggy Palffy, Nelson Emerson and Bryan
Smolinski.
Vancouver survived four straight minutes while shorthanded,
including two minutes when down two men at the end of the second
and start of the third periods. With Mattias Ohlund already
whistled for obstruction hooking at 18:45, referee Bill McCreary
assessed Brendan Morrison a double-minor for high-sticking.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Los Angeles Clubhouse
Vancouver Clubhouse
RECAPS
Florida 6
Boston 3
Montreal 3
NY Rangers 0
Pittsburgh 4
Toronto 2
St. Louis 6
Calgary 5
Chicago 5
Anaheim 2
Colorado 3
Edmonton 2
Phoenix 3
Nashville 2
Los Angeles 1
Vancouver 1
San Jose 5
Dallas 2
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