MORE: First-round playoff schedules | Fatal flaws for all 16 teams
Season record: 48-29-5, 101 points
Standing: Second in Pacific, fifth in Western Conference
Clinched: April 7
Coach: Willie Desjardins (48-29-5; first season)
Captain: Henrik Sedin
Alternates: Daniel Sedin, Kevin Bieksa
Players to watch: Linemates and twins Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. Daniel edged out his brother in scoring with 20 goals and 56 assists. Henrik had 18 goals and 55 assists. Radim Vrbata is a danger on the power play with 12 of his 31 goals.
SERIES PREVIEWS: Canucks-Flames | Ducks-Jets | Blues-Wild | Predators-Blackhawks
Goaltender: Ryan Miller injured a knee in late February. He allowed five goals in a 6-5 win against the Oilers in his first game in more than seven weeks. Miller started 44 games, with a .911 save percentage and 2.53 goals-against average. Eddie Lack took over in Miller’s absence, helping the Canucks to a playoff berth with .921 save percentage and 2.45 goals-against average. Lack was given the Game 1 start, but Desjardins said he needs both goalies ready.
Playoff history: The Canucks missed the playoffs last year, snapping a five-year postseason streak. They were swept in 2013 by the San Jose Sharks in the first round after winning the Northwest Division in a lockout-shortened season. Vancouver has made the playoffs 27 times in 44 seasons.
Championships: Vancouver made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1982, 1994 and 2011, but didn’t win any of them. The Canucks lost to the Bruins in seven games in 2011.
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Schedule/TV (all times ET; * — if necessary)
April 15, Flames 2, Canucks 1 April 17, at Vancouver, 10 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, CNBC April 19, at Calgary, 10 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN April 21, at Calgary, 10 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, USA *April 23, at Vancouver, TBD, CBC *April 25, at Calgary, TBD, CBC *April 27, at Vancouver, TBD, CBC
SERIES PREVIEWS: Rangers-Penguins | Canadiens-Senators | Capitals-Islanders | Lightning-Red Wings
Cassandra Negley is a contributor at Sporting News. She’s currently the sports editor at the Thomasville Times-Enterprise in Georgia and writes for the Mets blog Rising Apple. You can follow her on Twitter, @casnegley.
