The Vancouver Canucks couldn’t have asked for a better schedule to launch the unofficial start of the second half of the season, because every time they face one of the top teams, this team seems to respond in some positive way.

Granted, they had their traditional dreadful second period, turning the puck over “at least 12 to 14 times” according to captain Henrik Sedin, and leading to another outstanding performance from goalie Cory Schneider.

They didn’t finish enough of their chances in the first period when they dominated, and overtime was something of a fire drill in their own end, just like the first shift of the third period when they gave up the go-ahead goal.

But against the good teams the Canucks always seem to come up with some kind of magic, and on this night it was the return of the Sedin twins.

Having struggled monumentally the past few games—Henrik hadn’t had a point in four games—the two finally shook off their lethargy in the overtime and got that dominating feeling back.

They controlled the play, found each other repeatedly and looked like the real twins, something that didn’t happen five-on-five in regulation and is surely the cause of some concern for management.

Not to bring up that series against Nashville last spring but frankly, that’s what it looked like last night.

Very little was generated five on five and Henrik in particular seemed to have trouble staying on his feet when normally it takes a bazooka to knock either one of the twins down. They looked tired, almost overwhelmed with the Hawks’ speed.

On the nights when there aren’t a lot of power play opportunities, there has always seemed to be that little delay on the uptake for the twins. You know, the bit where they almost seem to say “we’ll get rolling once we get a power play opportunity.”

But when the power plays don’t come at all, that little wait has tended to stretch, and it was stretching into a considerable slump for a couple of guys who were in position to win the scoring title not to long ago.

But they seemed to get the feel back once there was some open ice, and Daniel’s goal not only set the franchise record for OT markers, it pushed this team back into prominence to push for the Conference title if they can respond the same way Thursday against the Wings.

“It was nice to get out there in OT with a little more room because this is not a team that gives up a lot down low and it was tough to make much happen,” said Henrik.

“On the game winner, I like to get the puck behind the net as everyone knows, and while it’s not a hard pass to make from back there, it was nice to see it go in.”

Part of the fatigue shown by the twins lately has to have been due to the Canucks’ recent schedule and their performance in regulation last night was clearly not helped by the fact they had to fly across the continent and back to play in that now standing joke called the All-Star game.

Pity they couldn’t think of an excuse to miss the game like some of the others around the league, but then, that wouldn’t be them.

“We’ve been in three All-Star games now and they’ve all been in the east, so that’s happened every year,” said Henrik. “It’s just something you’ve got to do.”

“Once again they silenced their critics and showed why they are a couple of the best players in the game,” said Kevin Bieksa.

“These guys are clearly our offensive leaders but they’re not going to be able to score every game and tonight we got some help from some other guys. We didn’t have a great second period, which it seems like we never do, but we battled back and found a way to get it done.

“I don’t think we could have asked for two better teams to come in here than the ones we have in these guys and Detroit Thursday. It’s the perfect way to get everyone ready to play which we were tonight.”

They weren’t as ready as they’re going to have to be if they’re going to have success in the postseason. But once again during the regular season, it was enough even against one of the top teams in the league.