The Vancouver Millionaires may have won a Stanley Cup in 1915, but they didn't have to play against Pav-el Datsyuk.

The dazzling Russian went to town on the Canucks, who dressed like Millionaires and played the second half of the game like the old guys at your local country club.

Datsyuk won faceoffs, picked pockets and set up three goals. The Canucks melted watching him, and turned one of their best starts of the season to one of their worst finishes.

You know, just like the last game. It's probably Keith Ballard's fault.

The Canucks started the third period down 2-1. They ended the game losing 5-2, looking shockingly stale and in desperate need of something. Anything. Whether that's a coaching change, a trade or a team boxing tournament is up for discussion.

Even the always over-the-top positive Henrik Sedin was carving his team.

"It wasn't because they played great, it was us having turnover after turnover," Henrik said. "It starts with our line. Me and Danny have to be better. We had a good first, but after that we made plays where we shouldn't have made those plays. That's why it turned around.

"It starts with me, Danny and (Alex Burrows). We have to get those pucks deep. That's what made us successful in the first and we stopped doing that."

Burrows scored a goal just six seconds into the game to set a Canucks record. But it was mostly downhill from there. David Booth twisted his ankle and wasn't seen until hours later when he was leaving Rogers Arena on crutches and in a walking boot cast.

Is Nicklas Jensen ready yet?

The defence was helpless. The goal-tending was suspect, again. You can scrap all those stories about Roberto Luongo outplaying Cory Schneider. He's had one good game in four and that was against Columbus.

And the coaching? Well, Jason Garrison didn't see the ice on a 5-on-3 that lasted 1: 21. That's on a power play which hasn't scored in a month. Maybe Alain Vigneault wants to keep the streak alive.

Not using Garrison is mindboggling. The always diplomatic defenceman tried, but failed, to effectively explain why this is happening.

"I think those guys have played on the power play a long time, and they know each other well and they know the plays," Garrison said. "But I'm always willing to help."

Datsyuk did whatever he wanted.

If there's a player out there who cans stop Datsyuk, it's not Dan Ham-huis. At least it wasn't Saturday.

Datsyuk didn't quite skate circles around Hamhuis, but it was close. Hamhuis probably would have been more effective if he stayed home and watched Datsyuk on Hockey Night in Canada.

Datsyuk first strutted by him 6: 08 into the first period, creating space and time. With all that time to think, he wired a puck from a sharp angle off of Justin Abdelkader's skate. For most players, you wouldn't think it was on purpose. For Datsyuk, you were pretty sure it was.

With the game tied at one, the Canucks were actually dominating. They had eight scoring chances in the first period and outshot the Wings 16-6.

The game was tied at one midway through the first when Henrik deftly set up Burrows with a backhander that sliced through the slot. On it, Jimmy Howard made one of the most dramatic saves you'll see this season, using his arm like a windmill to glove Burrows' one-timer.

The game began to turn in the second when Burrows took a high-sticking penalty while on the power play. When he came out of the penalty box he had breakaway chance, but the puck bobbled on his stick and he didn't get shot off.

"It was rolling early and I figured I would surprise him with a quick shot, low blocker and it just kept rolling," Burrows said. "If I score there, I think it's a different game."

Less than seven minutes later, Dat-syuk danced by Hamhuis again, setting up Johan Franzen behind the net. His pass out front was nearly stolen by Burrows, but again he couldn't get a handle on the puck and it drifted to Henrik Zetterberg who snapped one by Roberto Luongo.

The Canucks had one chance to get back into the game when Hansen got a penalty shot opportunity.

Howard charged out at Hansen cutting off his angle and instead of using his speed to force Howard into a retreat, Hansen slowly trotted in on net and snapped his shot off the post.

From there, the Canucks evaporated, including Luongo, who gave up three consecutive goals, including one just 1: 20 into the third.

"It was bit of a back-breaker to let one in right off the hop," he said. "I fanned on the one-timer and it knuckled away from me. I have to get a piece of that, for sure.

"Things fell apart in the third period. I have to put myself in the forefront of that and make some big saves to keep it a one goal game there."

final score 5-2

NEXT GAME

Minnesota at Vancouver

7 p.m. Monday

Rogers Arena

SNP

Team 1040 AM

jbotchford@ theprovince.com

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