Well, what did you think I was going to lead this with? Yes, for the time being, Henrik Sedin is now tied with Joe Thornton for #1 overall in the NHL scoring race. It may be short lived, he may continue with the torrid pace he’s been on, but this is an outstanding accomplishment and shows that Mike Gillis was absolutely correct when he decided to sign the twins this past off-season.

It’s frightening to think just where Henrik would be had Daniel not gone down with injury. Yes, he did go on a torrid scoring pace when his brother was injured, but they’ve been on fire since Daniel came back. I love it, and as someone who has had to endure ‘Sisters’ comments or stupid arguments on how the Sedins points shouldn’t count because they aren’t ‘unique points’ and everything else, I just gotta sit back here and enjoy it.

But the game! Man alive, what a way to end the road trip for the Canucks, as they managed to go 3-0-1. They came out flying in the first period and played essentially what was a perfect road game. The only goal against in this affair came as a result of a broken stick. You’ll recall that a broken stick also cost us a goal in Phoenix. Throw in that 5 minute major goal against the other night against St. Louis and it’s becoming apparent that scoring on the Canucks has become a rather hard thing to do.

A lot of this can be attributed to the play of Roberto Luongo, who had a stellar game and is really starting to come on in the latter half of the season. Guy has really elevated his play as of late (the ‘good for one bad goal’ is rapidly becoming a thing of the past) and is looking to make a case for himself that he should be the starter for the Olympics, not Marty Brodeur.

That said, this was another fantastic game and one that had the entire team buzzing for the most part. I’ve commented on how the top six has been relatively quiet and they decided to dial it up to 11 tonight. Literally, as Kesler, Burrows and Daniel all notched their 11th goals of the season. Kesler’s line was all over the place and Kesler opened things up with a beautiful wrister. Samuelsson had a couple of great chances as well and was involved in a couple of good 2 on 1 rushes alongside Kesler. Raymond is also showing how he’s becoming a more complete player. I can’t recall if it was someone on Twitter or on the Canucks Live Blog that said it (and my apologies for forgetting you!) but Raymond really is taking great strides in becoming a complete player this season.

There was one instance in particular, I thought, where he was pursuing a Stars player in the Stars end, but stopped short and peeled back to cover one of the forwards trying to make their way up the ice. Last season we most likely would have seen him go blazing in and attempt to steal the puck, most likely resulting in an odd man rush back the other way. I really like that he’s thinking things a lot better out there and it’s paying off.

Aaron Rome was forgettable, but it’s a welcome change of pace from Kevin Bieksa’s Botchatorium of Brain Farts. My neighbors, who have small children, thank you Mr. Rome for the lack of profanity issuing forth from my mouth. For a bottom pairing defenseman he’s doing his job to a T.

Hordichuk also continues to have improved his play. I have to be fair, as I was ragging on him earlier in the season for being godawful. He’s been playing a lot better and has been playing physical to boot: a huge hit early in the first led to his dropping the gloves with Krystofer (THE) Barch. Good hustle from him, so I’ll give the Devil his due!

Sidenote: in addition to wearing women’s clothes, apparently Marty Turco likes to swing his stick like a lumberjack does his axe. I am of course referring to the swipe he took on Steve Bernier in the second. Moving on…

The third line also looked alright. Nothing fancy, but they were able to get some minor pressure in the Dallas end, which is the best part of the rink to be. Wellwood looks a lot more confident out there. Maybe Mike Gillis has been giving him some St. John’s Wort to nibble on?

Great end to the road trip. The Canucks come back to GM Place to host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Be interesting to see if Henrik can remain atop the scoring race!