Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Brad Richardson had two goals and an assist to support a 21-save effort from Eddie Lack as the Vancouver Canucks posted an impressive 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at CONSOL Energy Center.
Shawn Matthias added a goal and an assist in the Canucks' NHL-best 11th road win of the season, while Lack was rarely challenged by a lethargic Penguins team in recording his fifth career shutout and first of 2014-15.
"We did a good job blocking shots, but Eddie was there for us," said Richardson. "He was our best player all night."
Thomas Greiss finished with 28 saves for Pittsburgh, which was blanked for only the second time this season.
Richardson set the tone early for a more determined Vancouver squad, beginning his banner night by one-timing a backhand feed from Matthias past Greiss while stationed in front of the Pittsburgh net 8:33 in.
The Penguins had a golden opportunity to tie it a few minutes later, but Sidney Crosby missed a wide-open net on a power play and the Canucks ultimately killed off the penalty.
"He had a goal, which normally he would score," said Penguins head coach Mike Johnston of Crosby's chance. "He missed that goal. Not to say it was a key turning point, but it would have been a momentum shift."
Vancouver then dominated the sluggish Penguins in the second, putting up 14 shots to Pittsburgh's five and potting two more goals.
The Penguins left Matthias uncovered just past the midway mark of the frame, allowing the forward to roof home Richardson's behind-the-net pass for a 2-0 lead.
"We had our forecheck going tonight," said Matthias. "We talked about it before the game, it was our main focus."
A misplay by Greiss with Pittsburgh on a power play enabled the Canucks to extend the margin just over two minutes later. Jannik Hansen bumped the goaltender off the puck as Greiss attempted to clear it from behind his own net, then sent it to a trailing Richardson for an easy tap-in with 6:06 left in the second.
The Penguins came up empty on another man-advantage chance in the final period, during which Lack came up with eight saves to polish off the shutout.
Game Notes
Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist did not return after receiving a hard hit from Vancouver's Ryan Stanton in the second period ... Vancouver improved to 11-4-0 as the visitor ... Pittsburgh lost in regulation to a Canadian team for the first time since a 5-0 setback at Ottawa on Dec. 23 of last season. The Pens had gone 11-0-3 in their last 11 meetings with Canadian clubs ... Penguins defenseman Robert Bortuzzo began serving a two-game suspension for a hit to the head of New Jersey's Jaromir Jagr in Tuesday's meeting with the Devils ... Pittsburgh forward Craig Adams skated in his 313th consecutive game, tying Ron Schock's franchise record.
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