2011–12 Vancouver Canucks season

NHL hockey team season

2011–12 Vancouver Canucks
Presidents' Trophy winners
Northwest Division champions
Division1st Northwest
Conference1st Western
2011–12 record51–22–9
Home record27–10–4
Road record24–12–5
Goals for249
Goals against198
Team information
General managerMike Gillis
CoachAlain Vigneault
CaptainHenrik Sedin
Alternate captainsKevin Bieksa
Ryan Kesler
Manny Malhotra
Daniel Sedin
ArenaRogers Arena
Average attendance18,884 (102.5%)[1]
Minor league affiliate(s)Chicago Wolves (AHL)
Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL)
Team leaders
GoalsDaniel Sedin (30)
AssistsHenrik Sedin (67)
PointsHenrik Sedin (81)
Penalty minutesMaxim Lapierre (130)
Plus/minusDan Hamhuis (+29)
WinsRoberto Luongo (31)
Goals against averageCory Schneider (1.96)

The 2011–12 Vancouver Canucks season was the 42nd season in the modern Canucks history. The Vancouver Canucks were the defending Western Conference champions and three time defending Northwest Division champions. The Canucks opened the regular season against the Pittsburgh Penguins at home on October 6. Their final regular season game was held at Rogers Arena against the Edmonton Oilers on April 7, 2012. The Canucks entered the season expected to again contend for their first ever Stanley Cup. The Canucks struggled out of the gate, hovering around .500 until roughly the 20 game mark due to weak defensive play and a slow start from Roberto Luongo. The Canucks then rebounded, playing their best hockey of the season from the end of November until the beginning of January. The team dominated much like they did the season prior during this stretch, as goals came in bunches and the offense was backed up by strong goaltending from the tandem of Luongo and Cory Schneider. The peak of the Canucks' season came on January 7, 2012, in a game against the Boston Bruins, a 2011 Stanley Cup Finals rematch. The Canucks prevailed 4–3 in a hard-fought playoff atmosphere, and they seemed to state to the hockey world that they would be heard from again come playoff time. The winning ways continued for the rest of the season, but the team did not play with the same heart they played with that January afternoon again. The Canucks often played down to their competition, barely beating some of the weakest teams in the league as the offense seemed to disappear. The Canucks pulled a shocking deal at the trade deadline, trading blue-chip prospect Cody Hodgson to the Buffalo Sabres for a skilled, but unproven prospect Zack Kassian. While Kassian should eventually emerge as a solid NHLer, this deal was probably pulled too soon as the offensive mojo disappeared but the team was lucky to have outstanding goaltending that led them to their second consecutive Presidents' Trophy on the final day of the regular season when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers. Despite entering the playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference, the Canucks were upset in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in five games by the eight-seeded Los Angeles Kings. This was the third consecutive season the Canucks lost in the playoffs to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion.

Off-season

NHL Entry Draft

Nicklas Jensen on stage after being selected 29th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft

The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was held June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Canucks selected eight players including Nicklas Jensen with their first-round draft choice, 29th overall. On day two of the entry draft the Vancouver Canucks traded their second-round draft choice to the Minnesota Wild for two picks in later rounds. In total, Vancouver selected eight players including David Honzík, Alexandre Grenier, Joseph LaBate, Ludwig Blomstrand, Frank Corrado, Pathrik Westerholm and Henrik Tommernes. In total, none would become regular NHL players, with Corrado playing the most games with 76 appearances across three teams.

Minor League affiliations

On June 21, 2011, True North Sports & Entertainment, the owners of the Manitoba Moose received Board of Governors approval to purchase and re-locate the Atlanta Thrashers. The Thrashers moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba to replace the Manitoba Moose. The Moose announced that they were moving to St. John's and would become the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets. As a result, the Canucks were left without an affiliate temporarily. On June 27, 2011, the Vancouver Canucks signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Chicago Wolves.[2] The Vancouver Canucks announced that Craig MacTavish would be the new coach for the Wolves on August 1 after Claude Noel, who coached the Manitoba Moose during the 2010–11 season, was hired by the Jets.[3]

In addition, on April 8, 2011, it was announced that the Chilliwack Bruins of the Western Hockey League would be moving their franchise to Victoria, British Columbia.[4] The sale of the Chilliwack Bruins to RG Properties was completed and made official on April 20 by the WHL.[5] The Victoria Royals replaced the Victoria Salmon Kings and began play in the 2011–12 WHL season. RG Properties, who also owned the Victoria Salmon Kings, opted to fold the Salmon Kings franchise at the conclusion of the 2010–11 ECHL season.[6] As a result, the Canucks were left without an ECHL minor league affiliate. The Salmon Kings spent five years as the ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks.

On September 22, the Vancouver Canucks announced that it had signed an ECHL affiliation agreement with the Kalamazoo Wings.[7]

Preseason

Training camp began for the rookies on September 9 and included two days of on-ice training sessions followed by a four-game Young Stars tournament featuring prospects from other teams including the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets. Among the players were four that were selected from the 2011 Entry Draft. Nicklas Jensen, David Honzik, Alexandre Grenier and Frank Corrado all took part in the Canucks rookie training camp and Young Stars tournament. LaBate did not participate in the camp because his college semester had begun while Blomstrand, Westerholm and Tommernes were in the midst of training camp for their own Swedish hockey clubs.

The Vancouver Canucks main training camp started on September 16. Several veteran NHL players were invited to the camp on a try-out basis. These players included Owen Nolan, Anders Eriksson, Niko Dimitrakos and Todd Fedoruk. However, none of the invites were able to secure a contract with the club.

The Canucks played a total of eight preseason games where they finished with a record of 3–5. Much of the Vancouver Canucks roster were returning members from the 2010–11 season with the exception of Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond, Christian Ehrhoff and Raffi Torres. Both Kesler and Raymond were recovering from injuries sustained in the prior season while Ehrhoff and Torres had changed teams, through trade and free agency respectively, during the off-season.

Citing the shortened off-season due to their appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Vancouver Canucks management and coaching staff decided to give a majority of the veterans rest. As a result players guaranteed roster spots in the regular season, such as Daniel and Henrik Sedin only played in two preseason games.

Regular season

Like 2010–11 the Vancouver Canucks were met with extremely high expectations for the upcoming season. They entered 2011–12 as the defending Presidents' Trophy and Western Conference Champions. It was a record setting season that saw them rank first in the league in goals per game, goals against per game and power play percentage. Both Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider were awarded the William M. Jennings Trophy for lowest goals against.

General consensus through various sports media outlets such as The Hockey News, Sports Illustrated, TSN and Sportsnet predicted that the Canucks would return to the Western Conference Finals or at least finish first in the Western Conference regular season.[8][9]

October–November

Helmet decal worn by the Vancouver Canucks team throughout the season

The Vancouver Canucks began their season on October 6 when they hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins before embarking on a four-game road trip. Prior to the start of the home opener the Canucks organization held a ceremony to celebrate their 2010–11 season and to thank the police officers, firemen and volunteers who helped the city recover after the Stanley Cup riot. The game was supposed to be Sidney Crosby's third NHL game at Rogers Arena, and first hockey game since scoring the golden goal at the 2010 Winter Olympics but was unable to play as he was still recovering from a concussion. In the game, the Vancouver Canucks battled back from a 3–1 deficit but fell short in a shootout.

The club held a ceremony on October 18 prior to their game against the New York Rangers to honour the late Rick Rypien. Rypien played within the Vancouver Canucks organization for seven seasons, splitting time between the Canucks and the Manitoba Moose, before signing with the Winnipeg Jets during the summer. Rypien was found dead at his home in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, on August 15. The Canucks wore a helmet decal in honour of Rypien during the season.[10] The Canucks also ran a video tribute for former Ranger Derek Boogaard who also died during the off-season.[11]

The Canucks struggled throughout the month of October which was punctuated by a significant trade. Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm were traded to the Florida Panthers on October 22, just hours after the Canucks defeated the Minnesota Wild. In return, the Canucks acquired a third-round draft pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and forwards David Booth and Steven Reinprecht. The month ended with a match up against the Washington Capitals that saw the Canucks prevail by a final score of 7–4. Alex Edler, Maxim Lapierre and Chris Higgins all registered two goals for Vancouver while Alexander Ovechkin also scored a pair of goals for Washington.

The month of November opened with a six-game road trip beginning in Calgary, where the Canucks won the game by a score of 5–1. The game saw Daniel Sedin score his 254th goal of his career to tie Pavel Bure for fourth all-time in Canucks goal scoring. However, the Canucks continued to battle inconsistency and were unable to sustain any momentum through the first two-thirds of the month where they compiled a record of 4–4 capped by a blowout loss to rival Chicago. The Canucks, led by Cory Schneider who originally replaced an injured Roberto Luongo, finished the month with five consecutive victories that included back-to-back shutouts for Schneider. During the winning streak head coach Alain Vigneault became the team's winningest coach when the team defeated Colorado on November 23.[12]

Standings

Divisional standings

Northwest Division
Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
GP W L OTL ROW GF GA GD Pts
1 p – Vancouver Canucks 82 51 22 9 43 249 198 +51 111
2 Calgary Flames 82 37 29 16 34 202 226 −24 90
3 Colorado Avalanche 82 41 35 6 32 208 220 −12 88
4 Minnesota Wild 82 35 36 11 24 177 226 −49 81
5 Edmonton Oilers 82 32 40 10 27 212 239 −27 74
Source: National Hockey League
p – Clinched Presidents' Trophy

Conference standings

Western Conference
Pos Div Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
GP W L OTL ROW GF GA GD Pts
1 NW p – Vancouver Canucks 82 51 22 9 43 249 198 +51 111
2 CE y – St. Louis Blues 82 49 22 11 45 210 165 +45 109
3 PA y – Phoenix Coyotes 82 42 27 13 36 216 204 +12 97
4 CE x – Nashville Predators 82 48 26 8 43 237 210 +27 104
5 CE x – Detroit Red Wings 82 48 28 6 39 248 203 +45 102
6 CE x – Chicago Blackhawks 82 45 26 11 38 248 238 +10 101
7 PA x – San Jose Sharks 82 43 29 10 34 228 210 +18 96
8 PA x – Los Angeles Kings 82 40 27 15 34 194 179 +15 95
9 NW Calgary Flames 82 37 29 16 34 202 226 −24 90
10 PA Dallas Stars 82 42 35 5 35 211 222 −11 89
11 NW Colorado Avalanche 82 41 35 6 32 208 220 −12 88
12 NW Minnesota Wild 82 35 36 11 24 177 226 −49 81
13 PA Anaheim Ducks 82 34 36 12 31 204 231 −27 80
14 NW Edmonton Oilers 82 32 40 10 27 212 239 −27 74
15 CE Columbus Blue Jackets 82 29 46 7 25 202 262 −60 65
Source: National Hockey League
p – Clinched Presidents' Trophy; x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division

Schedule and results

Pre-season

2011 pre-season game log: 3–5–0 (Home: 2–2–0 ; Road: 1–3–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Recap
1 September 20 Vancouver 1–5 Calgary Legace 19,289 0–1–0 Recap
2 September 20 Calgary 3–4 Vancouver Lack 18,860 1–1–0 Recap
3 September 22 Vancouver 2–1 Edmonton Lack 15,724 2–1–0 Recap
4 September 24 Anaheim 4–1 Vancouver Schneider 18,860 2–2–0 Recap
5 September 25 San Jose 4–3 Vancouver Lack 18,860 2–3–0 Recap
6 September 28 Vancouver 2–3 Anaheim Luongo 13,542 2–4–0 Recap
7 September 29 Vancouver 0–3 San Jose Schneider 16,347 2–5–0 Recap
8 October 1 Edmonton 1–4 Vancouver Luongo 18,860 3–5–0 Recap

Regular season

2011–12 game log
October: 5–5–1 (Home: 3–2–1 ; Road: 2–3–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
1 October 6 Pittsburgh 4–3 Vancouver SO Luongo 18,860 0–0–1 1 Recap
2 October 10 Vancouver 3–2 Columbus Schneider 9,187 1–0–1 3 Recap
3 October 12 Vancouver 4–5 Philadelphia Luongo 19,632 1–1–1 3 Recap
4 October 13 Vancouver 0–2 Detroit Schneider 20,066 1–2–1 3 Recap
5 October 15 Vancouver 4–3 Edmonton Luongo 16,839 2–2–1 5 Recap
6 October 18 NY Rangers 4–0 Vancouver Luongo 18,860 2–3–1 5 Recap
7 October 20 Nashville 1–5 Vancouver Luongo 18,860 3–3–1 7 Recap
8 October 22 Minnesota 2–3 Vancouver OT Schneider 18,860 4–3–1 9 Recap
9 October 25 Vancouver 2–3 Edmonton Luongo 16,839 4–4–1 9 Recap
10 October 26 St. Louis 3–0 Vancouver Schneider 18,860 4–5–1 9 Recap
11 October 29 Washington 4–7 Vancouver Luongo 18,860 5–5–1 11 Recap
November: 9–4–0 (Home: 3–1–0 ; Road: 6–3–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
12 November 1 Vancouver 5–1 Calgary Luongo 19,289 6–5–1 13 Recap
13 November 3 Vancouver 1–5 Minnesota Schneider 16,534 6–6–1 13 Recap
14 November 4 Vancouver 2–3 St. Louis Luongo 19,150 6–7–1 13 Recap
15 November 6 Vancouver 6–2 Chicago Luongo 21,883 7–7–1 15 Recap
16 November 10 Vancouver 3–2 Los Angeles Luongo 18,118 8–7–1 17 Recap
17 November 11 Vancouver 3–4 Anaheim Luongo 17,339 8–8–1 17 Recap
18 November 13 NY Islanders 1–4 Vancouver Luongo 18,860 9–8–1 19 Recap
19 November 16 Chicago 5–1 Vancouver Schneider 18,860 9–9–1 19 Recap
20 November 20 Ottawa 1–2 Vancouver OT Schneider 18,890 10–9–1 21 Recap
21 November 23 Vancouver 3–0 Colorado Schneider 15,538 11–9–1 23 Recap
22 November 25 Vancouver 5–0 Phoenix Schneider 14,569 12–9–1 25 Recap
23 November 26 Vancouver 3–2 San Jose Schneider 17,562 13–9–1 27 Recap
24 November 29 Columbus 1–4 Vancouver Schneider 18,890 14–9–1 29 Recap
December: 10–4–1 (Home: 5–2–0 ; Road: 5–2–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
25 December 1 Nashville 6–5 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 14–10–1 29 Recap
26 December 4 Calgary 1–5 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 15–10–1 31 Recap
27 December 6 Colorado 0–6 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 16–10–1 33 Recap
28 December 8 Vancouver 4–3 Montreal SO Luongo 21,273 17–10–1 35 Recap
29 December 10 Vancouver 4–1 Ottawa Luongo 19,171 18–10–1 37 Recap
30 December 13 Vancouver 1–2 Columbus SO Luongo 15,808 18–10–2 38 Recap
31 December 15 Vancouver 3–4 Carolina Schneider 15,292 18–11–2 38 Recap
32 December 17 Vancouver 5–3 Toronto Luongo 19,633 19–11–2 40 Recap
33 December 19 Minnesota 0–4 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 20–11–2 42 Recap
34 December 21 Detroit 2–4 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 21–11–2 44 Recap
35 December 23 Calgary 3–1 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 21–12–2 44 Recap
36 December 26 Edmonton 3–5 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 22–12–2 46 Recap
37 December 28 Vancouver 3–2 San Jose OT Luongo 17,562 23–12–2 48 Recap
38 December 29 Vancouver 5–2 Anaheim Schneider 17,544 24–12–2 50 Recap
39 December 31 Vancouver 1–4 Los Angeles Luongo 18,118 24–13–2 50 Recap
January: 7–2–2 (Home: 4–1–2 ; Road: 3–1–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
40 January 2 San Jose 3–2 Vancouver SO Luongo 18,890 24–13–3 51 Recap
41 January 4 Minnesota 0–3 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 25–13–3 53 Recap
42 January 7 Vancouver 4–3 Boston Schneider 17,565 26–13–3 55 Recap
43 January 9 Vancouver 1–2 Florida Luongo 16,712 26–14–3 55 Recap
44 January 10 Vancouver 5–4 Tampa Bay SO Schneider 17,630 27–14–3 57 Recap
45 January 12 Vancouver 3–2 St. Louis OT Luongo 18,231 28–14–3 59 Recap
46 January 15 Anaheim 4–2 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 28–15–3 59 Recap
47 January 17 Los Angeles 3–2 Vancouver SO Luongo 18,890 28–15–4 60 Recap
48 January 21 San Jose 3–4 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 29–15–4 62 Recap
49 January 24 Edmonton 2–3 Vancouver SO Luongo 18,890 30–15–4 64 Recap
50 January 31 Chicago 2–3 Vancouver OT Schneider 18,890 31–15–4 66 Recap
February: 9–1–4 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 6–1–3)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
51 February 2 Detroit 4–3 Vancouver SO Luongo 18,890 31–15–5 67 Recap
52 February 4 Vancouver 3–2 Colorado SO Luongo 17,024 32–15–5 69 Recap
53 February 7 Vancouver 4–3 Nashville SO Luongo 16,232 33–15–5 71 Recap
54 February 9 Vancouver 5–2 Minnesota Schneider 17,859 34–15–5 73 Recap
55 February 11 Vancouver 2–3 Calgary SO Luongo 19,289 34–15–6 74 Recap
56 February 13 Phoenix 1–2 Vancouver SO Luongo 18,890 35–15–6 76 Recap
57 February 15 Colorado 1–3 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 36–15–6 78 Recap
58 February 18 Toronto 2–6 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 37–15–6 80 Recap
59 February 19 Vancouver 5–2 Edmonton Schneider 16,839 38–15–6 82 Recap
60 February 21 Vancouver 1–3 Nashville Luongo 16,769 38–16–6 82 Recap
61 February 23 Vancouver 4–3 Detroit SO Luongo 20,066 39–16–6 84 Recap
62 February 24 Vancouver 2–1 New Jersey Schneider 16,480 40–16–6 86 Recap
63 February 26 Vancouver 2–3 Dallas OT Luongo 18,010 40–16–7 87 Recap
64 February 28 Vancouver 1–2 Phoenix SO Schneider 16,691 40–16–8 88 Recap
March: 9–5–1 (Home: 7–4–0 ; Road: 2–1–1)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
65 March 1 St. Louis 0–2 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 41–16–8 90 Recap
66 March 3 Buffalo 5–3 Vancouver Schneider 18,890 41–17–8 90 Recap
67 March 6 Dallas 5–2 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 41–18–8 90 Recap
68 March 8 Winnipeg 2–3 Vancouver Schneider 18,890 42–18–8 92 Recap
69 March 10 Montreal 4–1 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 42–19–8 92 Recap
70 March 14 Phoenix 5–4 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 42–20–8 92 Recap
71 March 17 Columbus 3–4 Vancouver Schneider 18,890 43–20–8 94 Recap
72 March 19 Vancouver 0–2 Minnesota Schneider 17,859 43–21–8 94 Recap
73 March 21 Vancouver 1–2 Chicago OT Luongo 21,883 43–21–9 95 Recap
74 March 22 Vancouver 2–1 Dallas Schneider 16,618 44–21–9 97 Recap
75 March 24 Vancouver 3–2 Colorado OT Luongo 18,007 45–21–9 99 Recap
76 March 26 Los Angeles 0–1 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 46–21–9 101 Recap
77 March 28 Colorado 0–1 Vancouver Schneider 18,890 47–21–9 103 Recap
78 March 30 Dallas 2–5 Vancouver Schneider 18,890 48–21–9 105 Recap
79 March 31 Calgary 2–3 Vancouver OT Luongo 18,890 49–21–9 107 Recap
April: 2–1–0 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 0–1–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
80 April 3 Anaheim 4–5 Vancouver SO Schneider 18,890 50–21–9 109 Recap
81 April 5 Vancouver 2–3 Calgary Schneider 19,289 50–22–9 109 Recap
82 April 7 Edmonton 0–3 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 51–22–9 111 Recap

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Detailed records

Eastern Conference
Opponent Home Away Total Pts. Goals scored Goals allowed
Atlantic Division
New Jersey Devils 0–0–0 1–0–0 1–0–0 2 2 1
New York Islanders 1–0–0 0–0–0 1–0–0 2 4 1
New York Rangers 0–1–0 0–0–0 0–1–0 0 0 4
Philadelphia Flyers 0–0–0 0–1–0 0–1–0 0 4 5
Pittsburgh Penguins 0–0–1 0–0–0 0–0–1 1 3 4
1–1–1 1–1–0 2–2–1 5 13 15
Northeast Division
Boston Bruins 0–0–0 1–0–0 1–0–0 2 4 3
Buffalo Sabres 0–1–0 0–0–0 0–1–0 0 3 5
Montreal Canadiens 0–1–0 1–0–0 1–1–0 2 5 7
Ottawa Senators 1–0–0 1–0–0 2–0–0 4 6 2
Toronto Maple Leafs 1–0–0 1–0–0 2–0–0 4 11 5
2–2–0 4–0–0 6–2–0 12 29 22
Southeast Division
Carolina Hurricanes 0–0–0 0–1–0 0–1–0 0 3 4
Florida Panthers 0–0–0 0–1–0 0–1–0 0 1 2
Tampa Bay Lightning 0–0–0 1–0–0 1–0–0 2 5 4
Washington Capitals 1–0–0 0–0–0 1–0–0 2 7 4
Winnipeg Jets 1–0–0 0–0–0 1–0–0 2 3 2
2–0–0 1–2–0 3–2–0 6 19 16


Western Conference
Opponent Home Away Total Pts. Goals scored Goals allowed
Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks 1–1–0 1–0–1 2–1–1 5 11 11
Columbus Blue Jackets 2–0–0 1–0–1 3–0–1 7 12 8
Detroit Red Wings 1–0–1 1–1–0 2–1–1 5 11 11
Nashville Predators 1–1–0 1–1–0 2–2–0 4 15 13
St. Louis Blues 1–1–0 1–1–0 2–2–0 4 7 8
6–3–1 5–3–2 11–6–3 25 56 51
Northwest Division
Calgary Flames 2–1–0 1–1–1 3–2–1 7 18 13
Colorado Avalanche 3–0–0 3–0–0 6–0–0 12 19 5
Edmonton Oilers 3–0–0 2–1–0 5–1–0 10 22 13
Minnesota Wild 3–0–0 1–2–0 4–2–0 8 16 11
Vancouver Canucks – – – – – –
11–1–0 7–4–1 18–5–1 37 75 42
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks 1–1–0 1–1–0 2–2–0 4 15 14
Dallas Stars 1–1–0 1–0–1 2–1–1 5 11 11
Los Angeles Kings 1–0–1 1–1–0 2–1–1 5 7 9
Phoenix Coyotes 1–1–0 1–0–1 2–1–1 5 12 8
San Jose Sharks 1–0–1 2–0–0 3–0–1 7 12 10
5–3–2 6–2–2 11–5–4 26 57 52

Playoffs

The Vancouver Canucks clinched the Presidents' Trophy for the second consecutive year, thus guaranteeing themselves home ice advantage for the duration of the playoffs. However, they were knocked out in the first round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.

2012 Stanley Cup playoffs
Western Conference Quarterfinal vs. (8) Los Angeles Kings: Los Angeles won series 4–1
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 April 11 Los Angeles 4–2 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 0–1 Recap
2 April 13 Los Angeles 4–2 Vancouver Luongo 18,890 0–2 Recap
3 April 15 Vancouver 0–1 Los Angeles Schneider 18,118 0–3 Recap
4 April 18 Vancouver 3–1 Los Angeles Schneider 18,409 1–3 Recap
5 April 22 Los Angeles 2–1 Vancouver OT Schneider 18,890 1–4 Recap

Legend:   Win   Loss

Player statistics

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Regular season
Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM
Henrik Sedin 82 14 67 81 +23 52
Daniel Sedin 71 30 37 67 +14 40
Alex Burrows 80 28 24 52 +24 90
Ryan Kesler 77 22 27 49 +11 56
Alexander Edler 82 11 38 49 0 34
Kevin Bieksa 78 8 36 44 +12 94
Chris Higgins 71 18 25 43 +11 16
Jannik Hansen 82 16 23 39 +18 34
Dan Hamhuis 82 4 33 37 +29 46
Cody Hodgson‡ 61 16 17 33 +10 8
David Booth† 56 16 13 29 +1 32
Sami Salo 69 9 16 25 +7 10
Mason Raymond 55 10 10 20 +4 18
Maxim Lapierre 82 9 10 19 −3 130
Manny Malhotra 78 7 11 18 −11 14
Aaron Rome 43 4 6 10 −4 46
Dale Weise 68 4 4 8 −1 81
Keith Ballard 47 1 6 7 0 64
Andrew Ebbett 18 5 1 6 +2 6
Samuel Pahlsson† 19 2 4 6 +4 12
Byron Bitz 10 1 3 4 +2 14
Andrew Alberts 44 2 1 3 +4 40
Mikael Samuelsson‡ 6 1 2 3 −1 6
Marc-Andre Gragnani† 14 1 2 3 −4 6
Zack Kassian† 17 1 2 3 −1 31
Mike Duco 6 0 2 2 +1 5
Christopher Tanev 25 0 2 2 +10 2
Aaron Volpatti 23 1 0 1 −2 37
Alexander Sulzer‡ 12 0 1 1 +6 2
Victor Oreskovich 1 0 0 0 0 7
Bill Sweatt 2 0 0 0 0 0
Mark Mancari 6 0 0 0 0 0
Marco Sturm‡ 6 0 0 0 −5 2


Playoffs
Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM
Henrik Sedin 5 2 3 5 0 4
Dan Hamhuis 5 0 3 3 −2 6
Ryan Kesler 5 0 3 3 −1 6
Daniel Sedin 2 0 2 2 0 0
Alexander Edler 5 2 0 2 −2 8
Samuel Pahlsson 5 1 0 1 −2 4
Kevin Bieksa 5 1 0 1 0 6
Keith Ballard 4 0 1 1 −1 2
Alex Burrows 5 1 0 1 −1 7
Maxim Lapierre 5 0 1 1 0 16
David Booth 5 0 1 1 −1 0
Jannik Hansen 5 1 0 1 −1 14
Mason Raymond 5 0 1 1 −3 0
Sami Salo 5 0 0 0 −3 2
Manny Malhotra 5 0 0 0 −2 0
Chris Higgins 5 0 0 0 −3 2
Aaron Rome 1 0 0 0 0 0
Byron Bitz 1 0 0 0 0 15
Andrew Ebbett 1 0 0 0 0 0
Dale Weise 2 0 0 0 0 0
Zack Kassian 4 0 0 0 1 2
Christopher Tanev 5 0 0 0 0 0

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; GS = Game Starts; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts

Regular season
Player GP GS TOI W L OT GA GAA SA Sv% SO
Roberto Luongo 55 54 3162 31 14 8 127 2.41 1577 .919 5
Cory Schneider 33 28 1832 20 8 1 60 1.96 885 .937 3
Playoffs
Player GP Min W L GA GAA SA Sv% SO
Cory Schneider 3 183 1 2 4 1.31 101 .960 0
Roberto Luongo 2 117 0 2 7 3.59 64 .891 0

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Canucks. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.
‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.

Updated after game on April 7, 2012

Awards and records

Records

Regular season
Player Record Awarded
Alain Vigneault Most franchise victories (coaching) – 247 November 23, 2011
Roberto Luongo Most franchise victories (goalie) – 212 January 21, 2012
Daniel Sedin Most franchise overtime goals – 10 January 31, 2012

Milestones

Regular season
Player Milestone Reached
Henrik Sedin 500th consecutive game October 6, 2011 [13]
Dale Weise 1st career goal
1st career point		 October 20, 2011 [14]
Dale Weise 1st career assist October 29, 2011
Ryan Kesler 500th career game November 23, 2011 [15]
Daniel Sedin 5th career hat trick December 6, 2011 [16]
Mike Duco 1st career point
1st career assist		 January 10, 2012
Alex Burrows 500th career game February 21, 2012

Awards

Regular season
Player Award Awarded
Cory Schneider NHL Second Star of the Week November 28, 2011 [17]
Henrik Sedin NHL Third Star of the Month January 1, 2012 [18]
Cody Hodgson NHL Rookie of the Month February 2, 2012 [19]

Draft picks

Vancouver's picks at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 29 Nicklas Jensen LW  Denmark Oshawa Generals (OHL)
3 711 David Honzík G  Czech Republic Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
3 90 Alexandre Grenier RW  Canada Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
4 1011 Joseph LaBate C  United States Academy of Holy Angels (USHS-MN)
4 120 Ludwig Blomstrand LW  Sweden Djurgardens IF J20 (J20 SuperElit)
5 150 Frank Corrado D  Canada Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
6 180 Pathrik Westerholm RW  Sweden Malmo Redhawks (Allsvenskan)
7 210 Henrik Tommernes D  Sweden Frolunda HC (Elitserien)

* An additional second-round draft pick was awarded to the Montreal Canadiens as compensation for failing to sign a first-round draft choice. Therefore, all picks after have been moved down by one. The New Jersey Devils forfeit a third-round draft pick, but league protocol retains the draft pick number so that subsequent draft numbers are unaffected.
1. These picks were acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild that sent the Canucks 60th overall pick for the 71st and 101st overall picks.[20]

Transactions

Trades

February 27, 2012 To Vancouver Canucks
Andrew Gordon 		To Anaheim Ducks
Sebastian Erixon 		[21]
February 27, 2012 To Vancouver Canucks
Zack Kassian
Marc-Andre Gragnani 		To Buffalo Sabres
Cody Hodgson
Alexander Sulzer
February 27, 2012 To Vancouver Canucks
Samuel Pahlsson 		To Columbus Blue Jackets
Taylor Ellington
4th-round pick in 2012
4th-round pick in 2012 		[22]
October 22, 2011 To Vancouver Canucks
David Booth
Steven Reinprecht
3rd-round pick in 2013 		To Florida Panthers
Marco Sturm
Mikael Samuelsson 		[23]
July 9, 2011 To Vancouver Canucks
Mike Duco 		To Florida Panthers
Sergei Shirokov 		[24]
June 28, 2011 To Vancouver Canucks
4th-round pick in 2012 		To New York Islanders
Christian Ehrhoff[a] 		[25]
June 25, 2011 To Vancouver Canucks
3rd-round pick in 2011
3rd-round pick in 2011 		To Minnesota Wild
2nd-round pick in 2011 		[20]
  1. ^ Trade of negotiating rights to.

Players signed

Date Player Contract terms
September 23, 2011 Frank Corrado 3 years, $1.83 million [26]
September 22, 2011 Nicklas Jensen 3 years, $2.775 million [27]
September 8, 2011 Victor Oreskovich 1 year, $605,000 [28]
July 28, 2011 Jannik Hansen 3 years, $4.05 million [29]
July 1, 2011 Nolan Baumgartner 1 year, $525,000 [30]
July 1, 2011 Chris Higgins 2 years, $3.8 million [31]
July 1, 2011 Sami Salo 1 year, $2 million [32]
June 29, 2011 Andrew Alberts 2 years, $2.45 million [33]
June 27, 2011 Maxim Lapierre 2 years, $2 million [34]
June 27, 2011 Kevin Bieksa 5 years, $23 million [35]

Waivers

Acquired

Date Player Former team
October 4, 2011 Dale Weise New York Rangers [36]

Free agents signed

Player Former team Contract terms
Byron Bitz Free agent 1 year, $700,000 [37]
Alexander Sulzer Florida Panthers 1 year, $700,000 [38]
Matt Climie San Antonio Rampage (AHL) 1 year, $525,000 [39]
Steve Pinizzotto Hershey Bears (AHL) 1 year, $600,000 [40]
Andrew Ebbett Phoenix Coyotes 1 year, $525,000 [41]
Marco Sturm Washington Capitals 1 year, $2.25 million [42]
Mark Mancari Buffalo Sabres 1 year, $525,000 [43]

Free agents lost

Player New team Contract terms
Lee Sweatt Ottawa Senators 2 years, $1.3 million [44]
Jeff Tambellini ZSC Lions (NLA) 3 years [45]
Guillaume Desbiens Calgary Flames 1 year, $525,000 [46]
Rick Rypien Winnipeg Jets 1 year, $700,000 [47]
Tanner Glass Winnipeg Jets 1 year, $750,000 [48]
Alex Bolduc Phoenix Coyotes 1 year, $575,000 [49]
Raffi Torres Phoenix Coyotes 2 years, $3.5 million [50]
Sergei Shirokov CSKA Moscow 3 years [51]

Farm teams

See also

References

  1. ^ "NHL Attendance Report - 2011-12". ESPN. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  2. ^ "Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Wolves announce new AHL affiliate agreement". Vancouver Canucks. June 27, 2011.
  3. ^ "Craig Mactavish named as Chicago Wolves Head Coach". Vancouver Canucks. August 1, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  4. ^ Olsen, Tyler (April 8, 2011). "WHL has approved Chilliwack Bruins move to Victoria". Vancouver Sun. Canada. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  5. ^ Olsen, Tyler (April 20, 2011). "The Chilliwack Bruins are no more". Chilliwack Times. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  6. ^ Dheensaw, Cleve (May 7, 2011). "RG opts to fold Salmon Kings franchis". Times Colonist. Retrieved May 17, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Vancouver Canucks and Kalamazoo Wings agree to new ECHL affiliate deal". Vancouver Canucks. September 22, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  8. ^ "The Hockey News 2011–12 NHL predictions". The Hockey News. September 4, 2011. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  9. ^ Dater, Adrian (October 5, 2011). "2011–12 Northwest Div. Preview". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  10. ^ Kuzma, Ben (October 3, 2011). "Canucks will honour memory of Rypien with decal tribute, Oct. 18 ceremony". The White Towel. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  11. ^ "Derek Boogaard passes away at age 28". New York Rangers. May 13, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  12. ^ "Canucks 3, Avalanche 0". Associated Press. November 23, 2011. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  13. ^ Pap, Elliott (October 7, 2011). "Canucks highlights". Vancouver Sun. Canada. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  14. ^ Kuzma, Ben (October 21, 2011). "Twins get Canucks back on track". The Province. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  15. ^ Kuzma, Ben (November 23, 2011). "Vigneault passes Crawford for franchise wins as Canucks topple the Avalanche 3–0". The Province. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  16. ^ Macintyre, Iain (December 7, 2011). "What goalie controversy? Canucks down Avs 6–0". Vancouver Sun. Canada. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  17. ^ "Crosby, Schneider and Elliott named 'Three Stars'". NHL.com. November 28, 2011. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  18. ^ "Malkin, Stamkos, Sedin grab monthly honors". NHL.com. January 1, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  19. ^ "Vancouver's Hodgson named Rookie of the Month". NHL.com. February 2, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  20. ^ a b "Vancouver selects eight players in 2011 NHL Entry Draft". Vancouver Canucks. June 25, 2011.
  21. ^ "Canucks acquire Andrew Gordon from Anaheim Ducks". Vancouver Canucks. February 27, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  22. ^ "Canucks acquire Samuel Pahlsson from Columbus Blue Jackets". Vancouver Canucks. February 27, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  23. ^ "Canucks acquire Booth, Reinprecht & third round draft pick from Florida". Vancouver Canucks. October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  24. ^ "Canucks acquire the rights on Mike Duco from the Florida Panthers". Vancouver Canucks. July 9, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  25. ^ "Canucks trade Ehrhoff's negotiating rights to Islanders". TSN. June 28, 2011. Archived from the original on June 30, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  26. ^ "Canucks sign Frank Corrado". Vancouver Canucks. September 23, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  27. ^ "Vancouver Canucks sign Nicklas Jensen". Vancouver Canucks. September 22, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  28. ^ "Canucks sign right wing Victor Oreskovich". Vancouver Canucks. September 8, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  29. ^ "Vancouver Canucks Sign Right Wing Jannik Hansen to a 3-Year Contract". Vancouver Canucks. July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  30. ^ "Baumgartner staying with Canucks". Toronto Sun. July 2, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  31. ^ "Canucks sign Salo to one-year deal, also lock up Higgins". TSN. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  32. ^ "Vancouver Canucks sign defenceman Sami Salo". Vancouver Canucks. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  33. ^ "Canucks sign Maxim Lapierre and Andrew Alberts to two-year contracts". Vancouver Canucks. June 29, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  34. ^ "Canucks sign Lapierre to two-year, $2-million contract". TSN. June 27, 2011. Archived from the original on June 30, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  35. ^ "Bieksa signs five-year, $23M deal with Canucks". TSN. June 27, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  36. ^ "Canucks claim Dale Weise off waivers". Vancouver Canucks. October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  37. ^ "Canucks Sign Right Wing Byron Bitz". Vancouver Canucks. July 25, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  38. ^ "Canucks sign defenceman Alexander Sulzer". Vancouver Canucks. July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  39. ^ "Canucks sign goaltender Matt Climie". Vancouver Canucks. July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  40. ^ "Canucks sign right wing Steven Pinizzotto". Vancouver Canucks. July 3, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  41. ^ "Ebbett lands in Van City". BCLocalNews. July 3, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  42. ^ "Vancouver Canucks sign left wing Marco Sturm". Vancouver Canucks. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  43. ^ Jim Jamieson (July 1, 2011). "Big winger Mancari signed by Canucks". The Province. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  44. ^ "Senators sign Sweatt, Conboy to two-way contracts". TSN. July 11, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  45. ^ "Tambellini leaves Canucks to join Swiss League". TSN. July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  46. ^ "Flames sign Guillaume Desbiens". Calgary Flames. July 4, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  47. ^ "Jets sign NHL veteran Randy Jones". Winnipeg Free Press. July 2, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  48. ^ "Jets ink Tanner Glass: reports". CBC Sports. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  49. ^ "Coyotes sign center Bolduc to one-year deal". FS Arizona. July 2, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  50. ^ "Coyotes sign free agents Torres, Gordon, Smith to two-year deals". TSN. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  51. ^ cska-hockey.ru. "Широков снова с нами! | Новости клуба | Новости | Профессиональный Хоккейный Клуб ЦСКА". Cska-hockey.ru. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
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