Edler nets a pair as Canucks top Blackhawks, 5-2

[March 23, 2018]  Alexander Edler had two goals to lift the Vancouver Canucks out of an extended scoring slump in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday at the United Center.

Vancouver, which came into the game losers of seven straight (all in regulation) and 10 of 11, had its highest scoring output since late-February.

Edler scored at the 7:11 mark of the first period off assists from Henrik Sedin and Brendan Leipsic to put the Canucks on the board first.

Chicago, which has lost five straight, tied the game at one less than a minute later on Nick Schmaltz's 21st goal of the season, off assists from Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook.

Sedin put Vancouver back on top at the 17:42 mark of the first period with his third goal of the season, assisted by Daniel Sedin and Sam Gagner, and the Canucks added two more in the second period. Bo Horvat scored his 20th off assists from Nikolay Goldobin and Troy Stecher, and Edler added his fifth of the season at the 9:38 mark with assists to Horvat and Goldobin.

Brandon Sutter added his eighth goal of the season off assists from Darren Archibald and Michael Del Zotto at the 3:24 mark of the third period.

Vancouver's Jacob Markstrom, who allowed 11 goals in his last three starts, allowed just two -- Matthew Highmore added a late goal for Chicago -- and finished with 39 saves.

Jean-Francois Berube lost his sixth straight game for the Blackhawks with his third straight brutal performance, allowing four goals before being pulled for Anton Forsberg midway through the second period. Berube, who finished with 14 saves, has allowed 13 goals in his last three games and 21 in his last five.

 

Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the score, the Blackhawks -- who were without injured captain Jonathan Toews -- controlled the play for much of the night, outshooting the Canucks 41-27.

Chicago (30-36-9) next heads to play the New York Islanders on Saturday before returning home for two straight.

Vancouver (26-39-9) continues its four-game road trip on Friday at St. Louis before concluding the swing at Dallas on Sunday. The Canucks finish up the season with a five-game homestand and a final road game at Edmonton.

--Field Level Media

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