VANCOUVER - Coming off an uninspired loss in the first game after the NHL all-star break, Willie Desjardins had a pointed chat with his Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday morning.We talked about our team identity, the head coach said of the meeting before practice. We talked about who we are ... the things we do when we play our game. We asked each other: Is that how we played (Tuesday) night? And if it isnt how we played, is that acceptable? I dont think the guys felt we played our best game.While the Anaheim Ducks currently sit atop the NHL standings, the Canucks generated just seven shots over the final two periods of a 4-0 defeat.If we can live with not playing our best game, well play that way lots of nights because its a tough league, added Desjardins. Thats what we laid out and its up to each of us to look at it.Canucks forward Jannik Hansen, one of Vancouvers most consistent players all season, said it was a good refresher with 36 games left in the regular season and the team currently in a playoff spot in the Western Conference.It was all about back to the basics that we were handed out at training camp — what were about, how we need to play, what we need to do in order to be successful, he said. Nothing has really changed since we showed up in the summer. Its still the same team, its still the same group of guys, and we need to play the way we did early on: four lines, hard to play against, making sure were competing.The main culprit for Vancouvers up-and-down play recently has been a lack of offence. The Canucks have scored just three times over their last three games and have failed to find the mark at home in 176 minutes 21 seconds — a stretch of nearly nine periods.Were not happy where we are right now with our game, said defenceman Dan Hamhuis. We had a long talk about it as a group, had a hard practice. We know we have some work to do. Scoring is one thing, but thats the result of playing well in a lot of other areas on the ice. Focusing on our process needs to be a lot better.Desjardins shouldered some of the blame for not having the team ready to play against Anaheim after Vancouver went 3-2-0 on a five-game road trip prior to the all-star break.Its up to the coaches to have them ready and its up to me to have them ready, he said. I think our level could have been better.The rookie coach also added it looked like the players heads were still back at the beach or on the slopes, not on the ice.I think we came off the break, and we were still in the break mode when we played, said Desjardins. We werent at the level we needed to compete the way we needed to compete. That ones gone and it cant happen again. Weve had a few of those at home and we know that and we have to react accordingly.Vancouver (26-17-3) has a mediocre record of 11-9-1 at Rogers Arena so far this season compared to a stellar 15-8-2 mark away from home.Desjardins touched on his clubs inability to win battles on Tuesday night so it was perhaps no coincidence that the Canucks were put through a number of 1-on-1 drills Wednesday.If you want to win in this league you have to play hard. You just have to, said Desjardins. Teams are way too good. I didnt think we competed maybe the way we needed to, and I believe we (can) compete that way. I dont believe its something we cant do.The Canucks were without some of their grit and vocal leadership against the Ducks — Kevin Bieksa and Brad Richardson were both injured, while Derek Dorsett left in the second period after taking a hit from Ryan Kesler.Its always tough when you have injuries all in one area. Its not so much that you have three injuries, but that they come from a group that plays the same way, said Desjardins. Somebody else has to step up ... we cant say if those guys were out the rest of the year: Well, were out of luck.I dont think people would accept that so other guys in the room have to find a way.Notes: After taking on the NHLs top team on Tuesday, the Canucks continue their six-game homestand Friday against the league-worst Buffalo Sabres. ... Bieksa is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a broken hand suffered in Vancouvers last game prior to the all-star break. ... Richardson has a foot injury and Desjardins wasnt certain of his availability for Friday. ... Dorsett, who was hit in the head during his collision with Kesler against the Ducks, also didnt practice on Wednesday. Desjardins said he is still being evaluated.—Follow @JClipperton_CP on Twitter. Oakland Athletics Gear . PAUL, Minn. Oakland Athletics Shirts . -- Brady Heslip scored a season-high 20 points to help Baylor beat No. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/115...-athletics.html. But this time, the Gunners weathered the storm. Arsene Wengers team was on the ropes in the early stages of a lively FA Cup tie, until Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a goal against the run of the play. Wholesale Athletics Jerseys . It was the first game back in Columbus for Rangers star Rick Nash, the Blue Jackets franchise leader in goals, assists and games. He was given a standing ovation during a video tribute in the first period, but was booed loud and long after a second-period, two-handed shove up high on Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Athletics Jerseys 2020 . -- Augusta James of Bath, Ont.Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Kris Versteeg scored and set up Patrick Kane for two goals, all in the first 5:19 of the third period, as the Chicago Blackhawks beat the St. Louis Blues 4-1 on Wednesday. Marcus Kruger had a first-period goal for the Blackhawks, who returned to United Center following a 5-1-0 road trip and won their fourth straight home game. Antti Raanta made 40 saves in his first start since a 3-2 loss at St. Louis on Oct. 25. Raanta will see his workload increase with No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford sidelined 2-to-3 weeks with a left foot injury he suffered when he missed a step leaving a recent concert. I like how he challenged. I think he was comfortable meeting pucks. I thought he was good finding pucks, Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville said about Raanta. Ian Cole scored the lone goal for St. Louis, which fell to 1-1-0 halfway through its road trip. Jake Allen stopped 29-of-33 shots in defeat. Versteeg scored on a one-timer from between the circles off Jonathan Toews pass 59 seconds into the third. The goal came seven seconds after a Chicago power play expired. Kane then collected Versteegs cross-ice feed and beat Allen to the far side with a wrist shot from the right circle at 2:47.dddddddddddd. The Blackhawks opened a three-goal lead at 5:19. Versteeg chipped the puck from the Chicago zone to Kane at center ice. Kane got around St. Louis defenseman Barret Jackman and scored while being hooked by Jackman. We just werent sharp enough in the third period, said Blues forward Alexander Steen. Kruger opened the scoring with 4:03 remaining in the first period after the Blackhawks made a couple defensive plays in their end. Toews thwarted a scoring chance for St. Louis, then Brandon Saad blocked Coles pass at the point. Saad won a battle against Cole for the loose puck in the neutral zone, leading to a 2-on-1 rush. Saad dished to Kruger, who beat Allen with a shot from the slot. St. Louis tied it on a delayed penalty as Cole scored from below the right circle off a Patrik Berglund pass at 12:38 of the second period. Game Notes Including playoff games, the Blues have lost six straight at Chicago ... St. Louis was 0-for-6 on the power play. ' ' '