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Kassian scores twice but Canucks lose to Devils

zackkassiangetty

A rare Friday night tilt between the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils produced plenty of storylines.

-- For starters, the Canucks had a dreadful opening period and got off to an even worse start in the second period, and that was costly. Playing the second game of a back-to-back and of a five-game road trip, they lost to the Devils by a final score of 4-2, after falling behind by three goals early in the middle period.

-- The Canucks entered the game second in the Pacific Division. The surprising Calgary Flames were also hosting the Anaheim Ducks, with the Flames having a chance to leapfrog the Canucks in the division standings with a win.

-- Zack Kassian was inserted back into the lineup, after Alex Burrows did not play due to a lower-body injury. Initially, Burrows took the pre-game skate, but a decision was made that he wasn’t good enough to go.

-- Further to that development, Kassian, who has expressed frustration and confusion over being a healthy scratch in recent games, looked impressive on a line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin. He scored twice, getting the Canucks back into the game in the third period. Now, if Burrows can’t go Sunday against the New York Islanders, will head coach Willie Desjardins trust Kassian enough to play on a line with the twins?

-- Devils goalie Cory Schneider recorded his first victory against his former team. Schneider was traded from the Canucks to the Devils for the ninth overall pick, which has turned into Bo Horvat, at the 2013 NHL Draft.

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