Garland, Joshua lead Canucks to 4-2 win over Blackhawks – Winnipeg Free Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Conor Garland scored twice, Dakota Joshua added a goal and two assists and the NHL-leading Vancouver Canucks beat the depleted Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Nils Hoaglander scored his third straight goal as the Canucks improved to 36-12-6 and 78 points. Vancouver hasn't led the league this late since 2012, when it won a second straight season of Presidents' Trophies.

Vancouver is looking to control the puck for a long run after beating a league-worst Chicago team 38-23 and snapping their seventh straight loss against the Blackhawks. Thatcher Demko made 21 saves.

“We played in our structure, we played fast,” Garland said. “You know we're a fast neutral zone team.”

Joshua did the same with Mackenzie Entwistle at the end of the third round.

“We're good tonight and we're all good,” Joshua said. “We didn't give them much and we just stayed calm and were able to win.”

The Canucks finished the five-game road trip 3-1-1 and swept the season series with Chicago 3-0.

“I thought it was a business game,” Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet said. “We got two points, 3-1-1 (on the road) and we're back in Vancouver.”

Tyler Johnson and rookie defenseman Kevin Korczynski scored for Chicago. Petr Mrazek blocked 34 shots.

The Blackhawks, 14-36-3 and 31 points, have scored just 15 goals in their last 13 games, all without injured rookie Connor Bedard.

“You know, I think we've been proud of how our guys have worked over the last month, but not tonight,” Chicago coach Luke Richardson said. “It wasn't the same effort, you know, the same result.

“They really showed where they are in the standings and showed where we are. So there is nothing to brag about this party.”

Richardson said Monday that Bedard, who has been dealing with a broken jaw since Jan. 5, will be cleared for contact drills next week and ready for games as soon as possible. Wearing a green contactless jersey and full face shield, Bedard participated in skating, passing and shooting drills at the team's Tuesday morning skate.

Despite playing in just 39 games, the 18-year-old center entered Tuesday as the NHL's leading scorer with 15 goals and tied with Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber with 33 points.

Garland's 10th goal at 10:05 gave the Canucks a 1-0 lead. Garland fired a shot into the open cage to fight Joshua.

Vancouver outscored Chicago 12-1 in the opening period and held Chicago without a shot until Seth Jones fired a shot past Demko with 30 seconds left, prompting a comical cheer from the crowd.

“I thought they were up to speed,” Richardson said.

Garland scored his 11th goal at 8:18 to make it 2-0. Filip Hronek's shot from the right point hit Garland's skate and it went through the hole and the puck went past Mrazek.

Johnson scored his first goal since returning from a leg injury with 3:17 left in the second to cut it to 2-1. Johnson's shot from the hole deflected off Demko's stick.

Two minutes later Hoglander made the score 3:1. Joshua took a 4-1 lead from Teddy Bluger at 6:07.

Korczynski scored his third goal off Ryan Donato with 6:33 left.

Chicago was without linebackers Connor Murphy and Jarrett Tinordi, both on injured reserve with groin injuries. The Blackhawks are without guard Nikita Zaitsev (knee) and forwards Andreas Athanasiou (groin), Anthony Beauvillier (fractured left wrist) and Taylor Hall (right ACL surgery).

NEXT UP

Canucks: Host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.

Blackhawks: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL