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VANCOUVER - Vancouver Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack was singing the praise of Steven Stamkos before Saturday nights game, and the Tampa Bay Lightning sniper didnt disappoint.Stamkos scored on a breakaway on his teams first shot as part of a two-goal effort as Tampa Bay defeated Vancouver 4-2 to hand the Canucks their first loss of the season.Lack, who called Stamkos one the three best players in the world at Saturdays morning skate, could only watch as Tampa Bays captain slipped a backhand past him just 53 seconds into the game.I kind of felt like I had him and then it kind of just snuck through, Lack said after finishing with 20 stops. Hes a great player — probably not the player you want to give a breakaway to at the start, but it was a good goal.The Canucks actually had sustained pressure in the Tampa Bay zone prior to the goal, but a turnover by Vancouver captain Henrik Sedin led to Stamkos opener.Its funny how the great ones find a way to get into open ice and pucks seem to find their sticks, said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper. That was pivotal for us because its early in the game, were kind of playing in the (defensive) zone and we get the big break and he scores. That took a little air out of Vancouvers tires and set the tone for us.Added Sedin: We had a great shift. We felt good. We had a few chances there and (I) tried to make a play. Just one of those plays that maybe you shouldnt do against a really good player, but I made it and it cost us a big goal.Ryan Callahan also scored and added an assist for Tampa Bay (3-1-1), while Ben Bishop finished with 30 saves to kick off a five-game road trip with a win.Lack was making his first start of the season in place of Ryan Miller, but Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins had no problem with his performance.Stamkos right off the start on a breakaway is a tough way to start, said Desjardins. Hes got a great attitude and I have no worry about Eddie Lack. Hes a real good goaltender and Ive got lots of confidence in him.Alex Killhorn had the other goal for the Lightning, while Ondrej Palat chipped in with two assists.Tampa Bay lost standout defenceman Victor Hedman midway through the second period to an upper-body injury and Cooper said he will be sent home to be re-evaluated.Thats a big loss, hes playing so well and hes a horse for us, said Stamkos, who broke his leg last season. That just shows the character on this team. Weve dealt with injuries and adversity before and come out on top.Alexander Edler, with a goal and an assist, and Chris Higgins scored for Vancouver (3-1-0), which opened with two wins against the Edmonton Oilers — including Friday nights road victory — and one over the Calgary Flames, but found it much tougher sledding against one of the Eastern Conferences best teams.Down 2-1 after 20 minutes, the Canucks evened the score at 2:42 of the second when Edler took a pass from Daniel Sedin off the rush on a power play and ripped a shot past Bishop for his first of the season.After Vancouver failed to score on three straight man-advantage opportunities later in the period, the Lightning retook the lead at 16:48 just after a 5-on-3 power play expired. Stamkos shattered his stick on a one-timer, went to the bench to pick up some new lumber and promptly fed Callahan, who ripped his third past a helpless Lack after some prolonged pressure.Desjardins wasnt impressed with his teams discipline, with Alexandre Burrows taking a roughing penalty before Kevin Bieksa went off for a trip to give the Lightning their two-man advantage.Weve got to be smarter. Theyve got a real good power play. We know that. Its not that that surprised us, said Desjardins. It comes down to how bad do you want to win? Do you want to win bad enough that youll have the discipline to stay out of the box. It cost us a little bit tonight. Weve got to be better.Tampa Bay stretched its lead to 4-2 at 6:04 of the third when Lack made a great save off Tyler Johnson in front only to have Killhorn shovel home the rebound for his second of the year.The Canucks announced in an email to season ticket holders on Friday that the game against the Lightning would not be a sellout, snapping a streak of 474 straight full houses at Rogers Arena. The last time Vancouver played before a less-than-capacity crowd at home prior to Saturday was on Nov. 12, 2002.After Stamkos gave Tampa Bay the early lead, the Canucks — who were looking to open with four consecutive wins for the first time since 1992 — got things back to even when Higgins followed up his own rebound for his first of the campaign at 7:15.But Stamkos grabbed his second of the night and fifth of the young season just 1:11 later. Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis fanned on a clearing attempt behind his net and Callahan poked the puck out front to Stamkos, who scored to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead on just three shots.I thought we gave this game away. We showed on a back-to-back night we can play the best teams, said Henrik Sedin. I thought we could have won the game. I cost us the first goal and then we gave them the second goal as well.We pushed hard to come back in the game but then we gave them a 5-on-3 and thats where I think the momentum changed.Notes: The Canucks start a three-game road trip on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. ... The Lightning continue their road trip on Monday against the Oilers. ... The Canucks visit the Lightning in their only other meeting on Jan. 20. ... Vancouver defenceman Ryan Stanton sat out after suffering an injury in Fridays game, with Yannick Weber taking his spot in the lineup... Frank Corrado was recalled from the AHLs Utica Comets but didnt dress. ... Among the 18,647 in attendance was actor John Travolta. Capacity at Rogers Arena is 18,870. Air Max 270 Clearance .com) - Former New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya is joining the Major League Baseball Players Association staff as a senior advisor to executive director Tony Clark. Air Max 270 For Sale . Pominville scored in all three of Minnesotas games last week to help the Wild (8-4-3, 19 points) earn four out of a possible six points. His best performance was in a 4-3 win over Montreal on Friday, where he posted a season-high three points (two goals, one assist), including the game-winning goal. http://www.cheapairmax270ireland.com/ . -- Jesse Lussier scored 8:24 into overtime as the Halifax Mooseheads erased a four-goal deficit to beat the host Val-dOr Foreurs 6-5 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action. Air Max 270 Sale Ireland . For Bergevin, the best pick is the 30th — which traditionally goes to the Stanley Cup winner. "Thats our goal. Wholesale Air Max 270 Ireland .ca. Kerry, In Mondays Habs/Bruins game, there were three questionable/brutal calls against the Habs late in the game - Tomas Plekanec, then Douglas Murray, then Brendan Gallagher.NASHVILLE – Jonathan Bernier has yet to make three consecutive starts in his National Hockey League career. After his first shutout as a member of the Leafs on Thursday evening, the 25-year-old appears well on track to get that chance in the days ahead. Bernier was an impenetrable wall in the Leafs crease at Bridgestone Arena, stopping each and every one of the Predators 36 shots in the very same building where he once recorded his first career NHL shutout. Though still quite early, he is very quickly grappling hold of the no. 1 gig he long desired after years as a backup in Los Angeles. "I trained really hard in the summer and I wanted to be ready," said Bernier of his opportunity in Toronto, shortly after a 4-0 victory, the Leafs improving to 4-1-0 on the season. "I knew that was my chance to step up and show what I can do. Ive been waiting for that moment for a while in L.A." Like he had been in three games prior (two starts), Bernier kept it quiet in his efforts against the Predators, to whom he now owns an 8-1-0 career record. While his team stumbled through the opening half of Thursdays action – recording their first shot nearly 14 minutes into the game – Bernier held strong and sturdy, keeping the action even until Phil Kessel finally broke the deadlock for the Leafs late in the second frame. "Thats my focus," said Bernier. "Just to keep the team in the game." Nashville has struggled to score early this season – just six goals after four games – but when they did pose a threat on this night, Bernier turned it down, keeping their attack on a strictly one-and-done basis. With the action still scoreless early in the middle frame, Bernier stopped all three shots with the Predators swarming on a power-play. Later in the third, he blanked a Seth Jones point-blank attempt with no trouble. "The one thing that Bernie did tonight," observed Randy Carlyle afterward, "he stood tall in the net and he didnt give up a lot of second opportunities. The puck seemed to hit him in the middle of the chest and he controlled a lot of the rebounds. Good for him." Bernier has stopped 113 of the 116 shots hes faced thus far as a Leaf (3-1-0), his goals against average now a microscopic 0.85, his save percentage an otherworldly .974, albeit after just four games. Wisely opting for prudence at this very early stage in the season, Carlyle refused to make any grand proclamations about Bernier and the starting job. One thing is clear though; Bernier will finally start his third consecutive game when the Oilers visit the Air Canada Centre on Saturday. Five Points 1. Odd parallel Though he was unable to recall the night three-plus years later, it was back on Mar. 30, 2010 that Bernier first recorded his NHL shutout, a perfect 34-save showing in his just his sixth NHL start with the Kings. 2. No rebounds Berniers ability to limit rebounds and keep a quiet crease has been the most impressive feat for Carlyle thus far. Of that ability, the Leafs netminder said it was a matter of squaring up to the shooter and receiving the puck "in the chest" and thus swallowing the potential for rebounds. Bernier is working to implement a defined partnership with his new defence core in Toronto, a system that will allow both to work together successfully, "The way I like to play is take away my far side," he explained, "and that makes a big difference because I can take away my short side, which most of the time Ill get in my chest." These lessons date back to his head coach with the Lewiston MAINEiacs – Clement Jodoin, now an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens. Under such a system, as Bernier explained, the goaltender would assume responsibility for the strong side of the ice, the defenders keeping check of the weak side. "That was his system defensively," Bernier said of Jodoin. "I just thought it was so smart because that way it makes it look easy and obviously theyre shooting more in your chest." 3. Top line attack Quiet with just four combined points at even-strength in the first four games this season, the Leafs top unit proved opportunistic against the Predators. All three members of the line – Kessel, James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak – scored in victory, Kessel leading the way with three points, including his second goal of the season. Outfoxing rookie Seth Jones for a puck ddeep in the offensive zone, van Riemsdyk delivered a strike to Kessel for the games first goal, pick-pocketing Pekka Rinnes smother attempt for a wrap-around goal of his own six minutes later.ddddddddddddThe newly implemented shallow nets proved beneficial to the 23-year-old. "I think if you ask my opinion on them now I think theyre a pretty good part of the game," van Riemsdyk grinned. "I think that definitely helped me, able to get out quicker and be able to stuff it because hes pretty quick to get back in the net." With their depth dinged by injuries and an ongoing suspension to David Clarkson, the Leafs have not surprisingly turned to their top guns on a more substantial basis in the early going this season. The top unit has received the brunt of the increase thus far. Player 2013-2014 2013 Tyler Bozak 21:56 20:18 Phil Kessel 21:24 19:48 James van Riemsdyk 21:22 19:12 4. Jumping from junior to the NHL Morgan Rielly picked up his first NHL point – an assist – in victory on Thursday as he continues to transition from junior into the NHL. Perhaps no defender on the Toronto corps understands the difficult jump Rielly is attempting to make better than captain Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf leaped from the junior ranks in Red Deer onto the Calgary Flames roster in 2005, totaling what remains a career-high 20 goals and 49 points in his first NHL season. "The biggest adjustment is youre playing against men," Phaneuf told the Leaf Report of his experience. "The two biggest things that I noticed and I think every young guy that breaks in at a young age notices, its the speed and strength of the guys. Its not just that theyre stronger on the puck, but its that theyre that much quicker with that extra strength. Juniors a great pace, theres lots of pace to junior hockey. But at this level everyones consistently big, strong and Im not talking that every guys 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6, Im talking every guy is strong on their feet and they know how to protect the puck and theyre strong on the puck. Thats the biggest thing for young guys jumping in." Of Rielly, who logged a season-high 19-plus minutes against Nashville, Phaneuf said, "I think hes doing a great job. Hes handled it very well and he keeps getting better." 5. NHL Debuts The Leafs had a pair of 20-year-olds in their lineup on Thursday, both making their NHL debuts against the Predators. A third round selection in 2011, Josh Leivo totaled 9:02 alongside Dave Bolland and Mason Raymond while David Broll, picked 66 spots after Leivo that same year, registered 9:19 alongside Joffrey Lupul and Nazem Kadri. Broll also dropped the gloves with Matt Hendricks in the third and final frame. Leivo and Broll had combined to play in just 18 regular season games for the Marlies before both got the call to suit up in Music City. The Leafs have now had five players make their NHL debuts so far this season. Stat-Pack 8-1-0 – Jonathan Bernier lifetime mark versus Nashville. .974 – Save percentage for Bernier after four games. 17-18 or 95 per cent – Toronto penalty kill after five games.9:02 – Ice-time for Josh Leivo in his NHL debut. 9:19 – Ice-time for David Broll in his NHL debut. 13:40 – Time elapsed before the Leafs registered their first shot on goal (Mason Raymond). 39 – Faceoff percentage for the Leafs, who won just 26 of 66 against the Predators. 29 per cent – Toronto power-play after five games, totaling six goals on 21 opportunities. 1 – Assist for Morgan Rielly, his first NHL point. Quote of the Night "Get it in the chest." -Jonathan Bernier, on limiting rebounds. Special Teams Capsule PP: 2-4 PK: 3-3 Up Next The Leafs host former Marlies coach Dallas Eakins and the Oilers at the ACC on Saturday. ' ' '