Notebook

Gaborik's playoff goal-scoring breakout came just in time

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- In 12 playoff games, Marian Gaborik more than doubled his goal total of the regular season's final 32 games.

After tearing through the first half of the season with 26 goals on his way to the NHL All-Star Game, Gaborik cooled off faster than freshly-sprayed water from the Zamboni.

The 20-year-old right wing scored only four more goals, barely reaching his career-high total of 30, set last season.

"He wasn't moving the puck well enough," coach Jacques Lemaire said. "That made it a lot easier for other teams to check him. If you don't move the puck you'll get five guys against you."

Never fear. The speedy Gaborik went back to his old ways for the playoffs, scoring an NHL-high nine goals and notching six assists. He entered Game 6 tied with Dallas' Mike Modano for most playoff points (15). Gaborik moved ahead of Modano with the first of two second-period assists Wednesday night.

"It's unbelievable," center Pierre-Marc Bouchard said. "It's been great. The confidence he's getting. He's passing the puck and it's like, 'Wow.' "

Although Gaborik's scoring fell off in the second half of the season, Lemaire, at times, said he thought Gaborik was playing very well. Gaborik did manage 13 assists during those final 32 games.

"I always said he had a lot to learn," Lemaire said. "He still does."

Home again

The joy of playing in his home state wore out quickly for Canucks right wing Trent Klatt.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Klatt played hockey for Osseo High School, the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Minnesota North Stars.

"It's a great hockey state. People here in Minnesota understand hockey as well as anybody. You can tell by the attitudes of everyone here," Klatt said.

Despite his love for the land of 10,000 lakes, Klatt made it clear he would have much rather preferred wrapping up the series in Game 5.

Asked if it was nice to get one more game back home despite having the series extended, Klatt said: "I've had 10 or 12 days to think about it. I'm not trying to poo-poo it at all, but that's probably right at the bottom of the list right now."

Darby is dominating on draws

Wild center Darby Hendrickson entered Game 6 having won 61 faceoffs -- the most of any Minnesota or Vancouver player -- during the Canucks series.

Vancouver's Brendan Morrison had won 59.

"[Hendrickson] is very important, as long as he wins them," Lemaire said.

Overall, the Canucks had won more faceoffs than Minnesota in four of the first five games.

Hendrickson missed 47 games due to injury this season and had only one goal. He had three assists going into Wednesday night.

Around the rink

Wild left wing Antti Laaksonen returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch in Games 4 and 5 to score his first goal of the postseason. Laaksonen, whose third-period goal gave the Wild a 4-1 lead, had played in every game in the Wild's three-year franchise history before Game 4. ... Canucks defenseman Sami Salo was scratched from the lineup with flu-like symptoms. Nolan Baumgartner took his place and played his first playoff game this postseason. Baumgartner attempted one shot in 9:09. ... Wild left wing Pascal Dupuis, who suffered a "lower body injury" in Game 5, was scratched from the lineup and missed his first playoff game. Earlier the day, Lemaire had

Quote of the day

Asked if he had watched film of Game 5's lopsided defeat, Canucks right wing Todd Bertuzzi said: "Are you kidding me? That game's done with. We learned our lesson."

 

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