Longevity Achievement

The last couple of decades in the NHL have limited the scoring output for most players. From the "dead puck" era where the trap was used by the majority of teams to Michelin Man-like goaltenders using equipment that turns them into mobile walls, scoring has been down considerably when compared to the free-wheeling NHL of the 1980s. Knowing this, reaching milestone achievements is a remarkable accomplishment. Tonight, we were treated to one of those accomplishments in grand style.

We usually only get the "former Canuck Roberto Luongo" storyline when Vancouver and Florida meet, but there was hope that longtime Canuck Henrik Sedin would score his 1000th point at home. The Canucks, in a battle for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division, needed the win as much as Florida did to keep pace in the Atlantic Division, but there was anticipation in Rogers Arena as the hometown crowd waited to see one of their heroes reach a milestone mark in his career!

The Canucks were trailing 1-0 midway through the second period when Daniel and Henrik went to work.

How classy was the tap on the shinpads from Roberto Luongo as Henrik skated by? Yes, Luongo was treated less-than-classy in his final season with the Canucks, but Luongo and Sedin were friends and teammates and it appears the goalie still holds that fact to be true. As you heard on the broadcast, only 84 players before him have hit the 1000-point mark. Henrik Sedin is now the 85th player to add his name to that prestigious mark.

For as much as people like to razz the Sedins for the way they play the game, there is no doubt that both brothers will be inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame once their careers are over. Henrik might have ensured that with his 1000th career point, and Daniel is a mere 32 points back of that mark. He'll basically have to be a point-per-game player to accomplish it this season, but the Sedins would be the only brother tandem in NHL history to do so if Daniel can make it happen in the next 35 games.

Tonight's honour is a huge accomplishment for any player. It's nice to see Henrik Sedin get to that mark after all he's done in a Canucks uniform over the course of his career.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!