VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Red Wings had a task Thursday, Oct. 22 in Vancouver, skated into Rogers Arena, and went ahead and accomplished it.
The Wings started quickly and picked apart the Canucks 5-2.
Vancouver (2-9-1) is struggling badly, arguably the weakest team in the NHL, and when it's on the schedule opponents need to take advantage. The Red Wings did just so, with no letdown.
Lucas Raymond scored two goals in the first nine minutes (one a power play) and William Wallinder, Vancouver native Michael Rasmussen and Emmitt Finnie added Wings (4-3-3) goals.
The Wings outshot Vancouver 29-12 including 13-0 in the second period. The Canucks went over 30 minutes in game time between shots late in the first period and early in the third.
The only real negative for the Wings in the game was losing goaltender John Gibson after two periods to what the team said was an upper body injury. Michal Postava, who was recalled from Grand Rapids Wednesday night after Daniil Tarasov was hurt earlier in the week, played the third period though arriving in Vancouver earlier in the morning.
Elias Pettersson (power play) and Jonathan Lekkerimaki had Vancouver goals.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Red Wings roll past hapless Vancouver 5-2