Tanev lifts Canucks over skidding Flames 3-2 in OT

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Chris Tanev celebrated his 25th birthday in style Saturday night with a game-winning goal that snapped the Canucks out of their slump.

Tanev scored 18 seconds into overtime and Vancouver defeated the skidding Calgary Flames 3-2 to snap a five-game losing streak.

''Yeah, it's awesome. A good birthday gift,'' said Tanev, who rushed down the ice on a 3-on-2 with Henrik and Daniel Sedin before beating goalie Jonas Hiller with a quick shot.

Radim Vrbata and Yannick Weber scored in regulation for the Canucks. Ryan Miller made 26 saves in his first win since Dec. 2 at Washington.

Tanev's goal wasn't the only gift of the night.

Vancouver took the lead at 4:40 of the first period with Hiller out of the net for an extra attacker on a delayed penalty call. Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman sent a pass from near the Canucks net that skipped off Mason Raymond's stick at the blue line and all the way into the empty Calgary net.

Weber was credited with his second goal of the season.

''That was a great bounce for us,'' Canucks coach Willie Desjardins said. ''You don't get those very often. It was a good break for us and fortunately we took advantage of it.''

Johnny Gaudreau and David Jones had the goals for Calgary, which has lost eight consecutive games. The Flames have also dropped eight straight in Vancouver since their last win at Rogers Arena on Dec. 23, 2011.

Hiller, who hasn't won a start since Nov. 18, stopped 29 shots.

Flames coach Bob Hartley saw the own goal as symbolic of his team's recent struggles.

''That's the first time I have been involved in a goal like this and that sums up the way it has been going for us,'' Hartley said. ''But credit to our guys, we never quit and it's too bad we couldn't get that last goal.''

Canucks forward Jannik Hansen appeared to collapse on the bench after taking a big hit from Wideman early in the second period. Hansen got to his feet and was helped to the dressing room by medical personnel.

The team announced that Hansen, who was taken to the hospital, would not return to the game as a precaution.

''Everything looks good,'' Desjardins said after the game. ''It's concerning. He seemed like he couldn't get his breath there. When that happens it's not usual, so you're concerned. But everything's checked out at the hospital and everything is fine.''

Vancouver doubled its lead while on the power play midway through the first. With Alex Burrows hovering over Hiller and batting at the loose puck, Vrbata found the rebound and knocked it in at 9:24 for his 13th this season. It was the Canucks' first power-play goal in their last 19 chances.

''You are going to go through these stretches,'' Miller said. ''I thought we kept working, got some good bounces tonight and that's what happens with hockey.''

Miller looked sharp in the first when he stoned star Flames defenseman Mark Giordano, who took a point-blank slap shot from the faceoff circle. Giordano leads NHL defensemen with 31 points, including nine goals.

Calgary got on the board at 7:31 of the second when Miller gave up a big rebound, as the puck popped out of his glove right to Jones, who fired it in to make it 2-1.

Calgary tied it 2-all at 12:55 of the third when Jiri Hudler found Gaudreau in the slot and the rookie wristed the puck past Miller for his seventh of the season.

It was a goal Miller probably would like to have back, but he made amends minutes later when he denied Sean Monahan on a breakaway attempt.

Calgary had a power play in the final 4 minutes of regulation after a high-sticking call on Kevin Bieksa, but couldn't capitalize.

''They're playing smart hockey,'' Miller said. ''They're on the puck, they're aggressive and it's hard to work around that. It's tough, they're catching up. The young guys are getting smart and they're going to be a tough team to contend with.''

NOTES: The Flames and Canucks meet twice more this season, again in Vancouver on Jan. 10 and then in Calgary on Feb 14. ... The Canucks host Arizona on Monday before breaking for the holidays. The Flames wrap up their road trip in Los Angeles the same night.