Brashear Returns, Canucks Tie
Los Angeles Kings goalie Stephane Fiset, rounding into top form for the playoffs, dealt a serious blow to Vancouver's postseason aspirations Wednesday night.
Fiset made 36 saves as the Kings tied 1-1 with the Canucks, the fourth straight start in which he has allowed one goal.
There was good news for Vancouver: Donald Brashear played for the first time since Marty McSorley's two-handed stick attack left the Canucks forward with a concussion six weeks ago.
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"It's really important right now for the goalie to keep the team in the game all the time," Fiset said.
"We have to be ready for the playoffs. It's all just preparation for the playoffs. It's not a switch you can turn on anytime. You have to play good before the playoffs start."
The single point gave Vancouver 81 and left it three behind eighth-place Edmonton for the final playoff spot. The Canucks need wins in both remaining games, including Friday's home matchup with the Oilers, plus an Edmonton loss to Calgary on Saturday to have any chance at its first postseason appearance in four years. Vancouver travels to San Jose for the season finale Sunday.
"We played hard for 65 minutes and couldn't seem to beat Fiset," Vancouver captain Mark Messier said. "We probably played the best game we have in a while and it's funny the way things can go. We held thedefensively and got all kinds of offensive chances, but Fiset played a big game for them and he was probably the difference."
The Kings are one point ahead of Phoenix for fifth place in the Western Conference.
Brashear missed 20 games with post-concussion syndrome.
The left winger was greeted with loud cheers when he stepped onto the ice for his first shift 1:31 into the game. The cheers got louder when he made his first hit just five seconds later.
After practicing for the last two weeks, he was finally given medical clearance to return to action Monday.
Messier opened the scoring with his 16th goal just 52 seconds into the second period. Messier one-timed a beautiful behind-the-back pass from Markus Naslund for career goal 627. The goal moved Messier within one of Steve Yzerman for sixth place on the NHL's career scoring list.
Jaroslav Modry tied the game with Messier in the penalty box. Modry's weak wrist shot from the point glanced off a leg in front of the net and beat Felix Potvin between the legs.
The Kings were playing without four regulars, including defenseman Rob Blake, Ziggy Palffy, Nelson Emerson and Bryan Smolinski.
Vancouver survived four straight minutes while shorthanded, including two minutes when down two men at the end of the second and start of the third periods. With Mattias Ohlund already whistled for obstruction hooking at 18:45, referee Bill McCreary assessed Brendan Morrison a double-minor for high-sticking.
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