rustybadcock
1-13-08, 11:50 AM
Canucks-Blues Preview
Jan 13, 2008, 3:00 PM PT
TV Information
Local Away:
SNET-P
The Vancouver Canucks haven't won a game in regulation on the road in a month. It's been nearly four years since they pulled off the same feat in St. Louis.
The Canucks look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season on Sunday when they opens a three-game road trip against the Blues at Scottrade Center, where they haven't won in regulation since Jan. 29, 2004.
St. Louis is 6-1-2 in its last nine games overall against the Canucks, and 6-1-1 in the last eight on its home ice. The Blues' home dominance of Vancouver extends back to last decade - compiling a 15-3-1 record with one tie dating back to 1997.
The Canucks have lost consecutive games in regulation for the first time since Oct. 28-Nov. 1, including a 4-3 loss to Phoenix on Friday that snapped their 14-game home point streak.
Vancouver (24-16-1) scored the game's first goal but gave up three in the final five minutes of the second period.
"It's a tough league to come back in," coach Alain Vigneault said. "Our guys tried to rally but we came up short."
With the Canucks playing their third game in four nights, Curtis Sanford got the start in goal, his first since Dec. 15. It was the first time Roberto Luongo had not started a home game since he joined Vancouver prior to last season.
Luongo, whose 1.99 goals-against average is second in the NHL, is 20-13-1 with six shutouts. He's been even better over the last six weeks - going 11-4-1 with a 1.36 GAA since Nov. 25.
He is 1-4-0 with a 3.19 GAA at St. Louis in his career.
The Canucks' offense is led by twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Daniel, who leads the team with 20 goals, has eight goals and four assists over his last 12 games. Henrik, who leads the team with 43 points, has just one goal over that same stretch, but has 12 assists.
Henrik Sedin was named to the Western Conference All-Star team, but Daniel was not.
The Blues (22-15-5) hadn't lost a game in regulation since the start of the new year prior to Friday's 6-4 loss at division-rival Columbus. They had been 4-0-2 since Dec. 28.
The game was tied midway through the third period, but the Blue Jackets scored three goals in four minutes.
"They worked extremely hard and they were focused on this hockey game," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "All I know is it was 3-3 in the third period and we didn't get it done."
Backup Hannu Toivonen got the start against Columbus, but starting goaltender Manny Legace has been the key to St. Louis' success. The All-Star is 17-10-2 with a 2.05 GAA.
Legace has been remarkable in his last four starts, winning all four and posting two shutouts with a 0.69 GAA.
He's 6-4-0 with one tie against the Canucks, but has never faced them in his two seasons in St. Louis.
The Blues' offense is paced by winger Brad Boyes. In his first full season in St. Louis after coming over from Boston in February, Boyes has 24 goals - twice as many as any other Blues player - including three in his last two games.
Boyes hasn't scored a goal in four career games against Vancouver.
St. Louis features the league's worst power-play unit - converting only 12.0 percent of their chances - and have scored just twice in their last 41 opportunities.
This is a pretty important game I am thinking. The boys could snap a small bump in their seasons road or they could end up with another loss...:eek: Which could signal the beginning of trouble for the club. This is a game where a simple game needs to be played. Get plenty of rubber and people to the net and out work the Blues. And it's an afternoon affair which is better usually for the touring club.
Have fun
RB
Jan 13, 2008, 3:00 PM PT
TV Information
Local Away:
SNET-P
The Vancouver Canucks haven't won a game in regulation on the road in a month. It's been nearly four years since they pulled off the same feat in St. Louis.
The Canucks look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season on Sunday when they opens a three-game road trip against the Blues at Scottrade Center, where they haven't won in regulation since Jan. 29, 2004.
St. Louis is 6-1-2 in its last nine games overall against the Canucks, and 6-1-1 in the last eight on its home ice. The Blues' home dominance of Vancouver extends back to last decade - compiling a 15-3-1 record with one tie dating back to 1997.
The Canucks have lost consecutive games in regulation for the first time since Oct. 28-Nov. 1, including a 4-3 loss to Phoenix on Friday that snapped their 14-game home point streak.
Vancouver (24-16-1) scored the game's first goal but gave up three in the final five minutes of the second period.
"It's a tough league to come back in," coach Alain Vigneault said. "Our guys tried to rally but we came up short."
With the Canucks playing their third game in four nights, Curtis Sanford got the start in goal, his first since Dec. 15. It was the first time Roberto Luongo had not started a home game since he joined Vancouver prior to last season.
Luongo, whose 1.99 goals-against average is second in the NHL, is 20-13-1 with six shutouts. He's been even better over the last six weeks - going 11-4-1 with a 1.36 GAA since Nov. 25.
He is 1-4-0 with a 3.19 GAA at St. Louis in his career.
The Canucks' offense is led by twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Daniel, who leads the team with 20 goals, has eight goals and four assists over his last 12 games. Henrik, who leads the team with 43 points, has just one goal over that same stretch, but has 12 assists.
Henrik Sedin was named to the Western Conference All-Star team, but Daniel was not.
The Blues (22-15-5) hadn't lost a game in regulation since the start of the new year prior to Friday's 6-4 loss at division-rival Columbus. They had been 4-0-2 since Dec. 28.
The game was tied midway through the third period, but the Blue Jackets scored three goals in four minutes.
"They worked extremely hard and they were focused on this hockey game," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "All I know is it was 3-3 in the third period and we didn't get it done."
Backup Hannu Toivonen got the start against Columbus, but starting goaltender Manny Legace has been the key to St. Louis' success. The All-Star is 17-10-2 with a 2.05 GAA.
Legace has been remarkable in his last four starts, winning all four and posting two shutouts with a 0.69 GAA.
He's 6-4-0 with one tie against the Canucks, but has never faced them in his two seasons in St. Louis.
The Blues' offense is paced by winger Brad Boyes. In his first full season in St. Louis after coming over from Boston in February, Boyes has 24 goals - twice as many as any other Blues player - including three in his last two games.
Boyes hasn't scored a goal in four career games against Vancouver.
St. Louis features the league's worst power-play unit - converting only 12.0 percent of their chances - and have scored just twice in their last 41 opportunities.
This is a pretty important game I am thinking. The boys could snap a small bump in their seasons road or they could end up with another loss...:eek: Which could signal the beginning of trouble for the club. This is a game where a simple game needs to be played. Get plenty of rubber and people to the net and out work the Blues. And it's an afternoon affair which is better usually for the touring club.
Have fun
RB