VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks returned to returned to earth — with a resounding thud — Friday night.
Martin Hanzal recorded a hat trick, including two goals only nine seconds apart, as the Arizona Coyotes stunned the Canucks 5-0 before a disappointed crowd of 18,708 at Rogers Arena.
After entering the game tied for second overall, Vancouver (12-6-0) took only its third loss in the past 11 games. But the one-sided setback was a clear sign that the Canucks can't afford to get too excited about their recent success as they attempt to atone for missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2008.
"I don't think we were hungry enough," said Vancouver coach Willie Desjardins. "We played okay, but okay doesn't win you any games in this league."
The Coyotes (7-9-1), who entered the game last in the Western Conference and 28th overall in the NHL, ended their losing streak at three games. Meanwhile, Dave Tippett recorded his 200th NHL career coaching win.
Vancouver goaltender Ryan Miller allowed four goals on 13 shots in the first two periods. Arizona scored the only goal of the opening session despite being outshot 12-3.
Hanzal opened the scoring off a counter-attack 14:56 into the game, beating Miller with a quick shot on his short side. It was only the Coyotes' third shot on goal. They were limited to just one shot in the first 11:30 — and managed only two in the same time span in the second.
But the game turned quickly late in the second period. Hanzal scored his second goal at 15:25 as he deflected in a high Tobias Rieder shot. The goal was allowed to stand after an extended video review.
Hanzal then completed his hat trick at 15:34 as he beat Miller on his blocker side. Doan's goal with less than three seconds left in the same period gave Arizona its third goal on three shots.
"It was a tough call," said Desjardins. "We thought it was a high stick, but it's our job (not to get thrown off.) Things are gonna happen in a game — good or bad — and we can't respond that way. We have to stay focused."
The Canucks goalie agreed with his coach that the team responded poorly to the video review going against them.
"Not the best response," Miller said. "But I wanna make a save and make a difference — and it just didn't happen tonight."
Doan's goal with less than three seconds left in the same period gave Arizona its third goal on three shots.
Hanzal posted his second career hat trick after almost a six-year wait following the first one, which came in December 2008 against Toronto.
"I had a really poor last couple of games, so I was kind of waiting for tonight," he said. "And, I knew I had to be really good tonight — and I thought we had a really good effort from the whole group."
"Obviously, our most important player is Martin Hanzal," said Doan. "When he's rolling, we're a better team — and he got rolling tonight."
Arizona goaltender Devan Dubnyk made 35 saves while the Coyotes managed only 23 shots. He earned the win in his first start since allowing five goals in a Nov. 2 victory over Washington. Dubnyk's last shutout came Dec. 27, 2013 while he was still with Edmonton, in a win over Calgary.
"Anytime you come in here it's always an easy game to get engaged," he said. "It's always nice to get some shots early and get a chance to find some pucks and feel it a little bit, and they got some early."
Notes — Wingers Derek Dorsett and winger Radim Vrbta returned to the Vancouver lineup after they both missed two games with undisclosed injuries. … The Coyotes put defenceman David Schlemko on waivers earlier Friday. … Canucks equipment manager Pat O'Neill dropped the puck in the ceremonial face-off before working his 2,500th game with the team. … Coyotes winger B.J. Crombeen played his 400th NHL career game. … Canucks rookie centre Bo Horvat was a healthy scratch … The Canucks feted Sebastien Sasseville, 35, of Quebec City after he completed his cross-Canada run in support of juvenile diabetes research here Friday. Sasseville, who suffers from Type 1 diabetes, completed the trek in 9 ½ months. The conclusion of his run coincided with World Diabetes Day.
