Canucks Next Game: Getting out of gate to get to Golden Knights would be good, for starters

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Its 11-21-7 record when the opposition scores first — and a 6-10 mark in overtime — has kept Vancouver from closing the gap in the wild-card playoff race

Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner had missed 10 games to injury, but was sharp in his Sunday return during a 3-2 overtime win over the Canucks.
Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner had missed 10 games to injury, but was sharp in his Sunday return during a 3-2 overtime win over the Canucks. Photo by Darryl Dyck /THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

32-28-10, 5th in Pacific Division

at VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

39-28-4, 4th in Pacific Division

wednesday7 p.m., T-Mobile Arena.

TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650.

WHY WATCH

Canucks need fast start, fast finish to remain relevant

You don’t want to miss the first period, or if the Canucks get to overtime. What has continued to plague the playoff-hopeful club is breaking late from the gate and not getting it done following regulation time. The Canucks dug another two-goal Sunday, had to stage a third-period rally but fell 3-2 in overtime to the Golden Knights. An 11-21-7 record when the opposition scores first — and a 6-10 mark in extra-session outings — has kept the club from closing the gap in the wild-card playoff race. And bad overtime decisions aren’t helping the chase.

LEADER POINTS

CANUCKS

1. JT Miller GP 68 W 29 A 53 PTS 82 (+5)

2. Quinn Hughes GP 66 W 5 A 48 PTS 53 (+8)

3. Elias Pettersson GP 68 G 22 A 27 PTS 49 (-2)

GOLDEN KNIGHTS

1. Jonathan Marchessault GP 65 W 28 A 30 PTS 58 (+2)

2. Chandler Stephenson GP 68 W 17 A 37 PTS 54 (+2)

3. Shea Theodore GP 67 G 11 A 30 PTS 41 (E)

SPECIAL TEAMS

CANUCKS: PP 21.7% (15th) PK 72.8% (31st)

GOLDEN KNIGHTS: PP 18.4% (24th) PK 78.7% (17th)

THREE THINGS ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

• Lehner handles load: Robin Lehner had been sidelined since March 8 and a stretch of 10 games with a lower-body injury, but the mercurial netminder didn’t miss a road beat Sunday. He stopped 26 of 28 shots to hold off the Canucks and signal he’s ready to reclaim the net. He has won all four starts this season when coming back off injury.

• Eichel gaining edge: Jack Eichel has been hampered by a hand injury and his recovery is crucial for the Golden Knights to reach the 97-point playoff bar. He was just 2-for-10 in the circle Sunday but managed four shots, seven attempts and one assist. He also has four goals in his last five games, including a two-goal outing Friday at Seattle.

• Timing is everything: The Golden Knights have won five straight and a 7-3-0 run had them in a wild-card position Tuesday, but the Dallas Stars were just one point back with three games in hand. “We’re just trying to put up as many points on the board as we can and hope someone stumbles,” said hopeful Vegas bench boss Pete DeBoer.

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