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 McCann scored the winning goal and Miller recorded 40 saves --
including 20 in the third period -- as the Canucks beat the Los
Angeles Kings 3-2 Monday night.
The Canucks, long out of the playoffs, posted their third
consecutive win. Before Monday, Vancouver (30-36-13) failed in eight
attempts to record a three-game win streak. The victory was only the
Canucks' 14th at home.
"We want something to build on," said McCann, a 19-year-old rookie.
"We're not going to mail the season in. We're looking to play these
last games really hard and carry it over into next season."
McCann's goal on a breakaway at 19:27 of the second period stood up
as the winner. He lifted a forehand over sprawling Kings goaltender
Jonathan Quick.
"The puck was rolling on me a bit when I first got it," McCann said.
"It wouldn't sit down for me. I just tried to make a move, and I got
lucky."
The Kings (46-28-5) absorbed their sixth loss in eight games and
missed a chance to move into first place in the Pacific Division
ahead of the Ducks. Anaheim, which has four remaining games, is one
point ahead of Los Angeles, which has three games left.
 McCann scored for only the second time in 36 games. He was converted
into a left winger from his usual center position because of a lack
of strength in the faceoff circle.
"Jared McCann's goal was a great goal," Canucks coach Willie
Desjardins said. "That's a goal-scorer's goal. When he took off, you
could see his speed and his skill. There was lots of good things out
of Jared's game."
After McCann broke a 2-2 tie, Miller shut out the Kings in the third
period.
"We're happy with the wins, but we know where we stand," Miller
said. "We know (the team's record is) not good enough and we're on
the outside looking in. At least on my part, I feel like there's a
foundation to be laid."
Emerson Etem and Jannik Hansen also tallied for the Canucks.
Tyler Toffoli, with his career-high 30th goal of the season, and
Kyle Clifford scored for Los Angeles, while Quick made 21 saves.
"We got to get the top guys firing for sure, that's my job and (the
players') responsibility," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "Our top
guys are our captains and our best players, and I think ... Jeff
(Carter) and (Milan Lucic) and Tyler (Toffoli), they have played
really well. ... Our other top guys have not played very well since
we got a playoff spot."
Sutter was disappointed that his club allowed goals in the final
minutes of both the first and second periods after holding 1-0 and
2-1 leads.
Toffoli opened the scoring at the six-minute mark of the first as he
put in the rebound off a Drew Doughty shot from a sharp angle.
Miller lost track of the puck, and the unmarked Toffoli tapped it
into an open net.
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The Kings had a chance to go ahead while they were short-handed, but
Miller robbed Toffoli on a breakaway as he attempted a backhand
deke.
Los Angeles controlled most of the play in the opening 20 minutes,
enjoying a decisive edge in shots. However, the Canucks got lucky
with 13 seconds left in the first as Derek Dorsett's snap shot went
in off Etem. The goal was the second in two games for Etem, who now
has five on the season.
Clifford put the Kings ahead 2-1 at 9:15 of the second period as he
tapped in a cross-ice pass from Andy Andreoff on a two-on-one after
the left winger waited for a teammate to catch up with him.
Hansen drew the Canucks even on a five-on-three power play at 14:22
of the second period, firing in Henrik Sedin's pass across the
goalmouth. The right winger made good after flubbing a pass on a
virtually identical play moments earlier.
The Canucks have recorded their three-game win streak -- after nine
consecutive losses -- against the top teams in the Pacific Division,
but Sedin said the accomplishment means nothing.
"It would have been nice to get it earlier," Sedin said. "We've got
three games to go and we're out of (the playoffs), so it doesn't
mean much."
However, Desjardins offered a different view.
"We're playing better, so I'd put a little bit (of credence) into
it," he said.
NOTES: Vancouver rookie RW Jake Virtanen returned to the lineup
after completing a two-game suspension for a late hit on San Jose's
Roman Polak. ... Los Angeles' Darryl Sutter served in his 1,200th
NHL game as a head coach. ... Canucks LW Derek Dorsett returned to
action after missing four games with an upper-body injury. ... Kings
D Alec Martinez sat out due to an undisclosed injury. Sutter
declined to provide an update. "You'll get nothing from (the)
coaching staff for the rest of the year, until September, about the
status regarding players," Sutter said. ... As a result of the
injury to Martinez, D Jamie McBain drew into the Kings lineup for
the first time since Feb. 27 against Buffalo. He was a healthy
scratch for 18 consecutive games.
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