The last time Ryan Kesler made a triumphant return from long-term injury, the Canucks dropped a 4-3 game to the Dallas Stars and went on to lose five of seven games with the Selke-winner in the lineup. This time around, the initial omens are far more encouraging. Kesler's presence catalyzed a team performance that the final score failed to do proper justice. Despite solving the Coyotes'
irritable netminder just once, the Canucks outshot Smith and co. in excess of a two-to-one ratio.
Currently averaging in the bottom-half of the league in shots on goal (28.3 per game), their 41-shot effort represents the Canucks' highest output thus far in 2013. The only other time they hit 40 was February 4 against the Oilers, thanks to a seven-shot overtime. (None sweeter than
the last, mind you.)
