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Ducks-Canucks Preview

Dec 15, 2009 - 7:52 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Anaheim (12-13-7) at Vancouver (19-14-0), 10:00 p.m. EDT

Vancouver's second line is finally starting to produce consistently again. The Anaheim Ducks, meanwhile, had little trouble spreading around opportunities offensively in their last matchup with the Canucks.

With a chance to win four straight for the first time, the Canucks look to avenge a terrible defensive game as they host the Ducks on Wednesday night.

While twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin have steadily led Vancouver's top line, the Canucks (19-14-0) were having trouble getting points from their second tier until this past week.

Vancouver beat Los Angeles 3-1 on Monday night, getting goals from second liners Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond to improve to 3-0-0 during an eight-game homestand. Kesler scored early in the first period and set up Raymond's goal with 5:12 left in the game.

Kesler has three goals in four games after failing to score in his previous 14. The veteran center posted a career-high 26 goals in 2008-09, but has eight in 33 games this season.

"A team needs more than one line going," Kesler said. "It's about time. I was fighting it for a little bit there - 14 games, but who's counting - but I'm getting bounces now and hockey is starting to be fun again."

Raymond has three goals and two assists in his last three games after being held without a point in five straight.

"When we have all lines firing were a pretty good team," Raymond said. "(Our line is) starting to come on stronger all the time. When we're skating and going north-south and getting pucks towards the net we know we are being effective."

Raymond had a goal against Anaheim (12-13-7) on Oct. 30, but got little help as Vancouver lost 7-2. Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan each had two goals and nine Ducks had at least one assist.

Ryan scored his 14th goal in a 3-1 win over Columbus on Saturday night. The third-year left wing has three goals and four assists in his last five games.

The Ducks got yet another strong effort from Dan Sexton as they snapped a nine-game road losing streak (0-5-4). Sexton, called up from Manitoba of the AHL on Dec. 4, scored his fourth goal in his fifth NHL game.

"If you would have told me by the end of the weekend I would have accomplished what I have ... I'd have a pretty hard time believing it," said Sexton, an undrafted free agent.

"I just wanted to come in and play my hardest and contribute. But, to get some good bounces and play with some great players, contribute the way I have, it has been a special week for sure."

Perry added his team-leading 16th goal after being held off the scoresheet in two straight games. He has four goals and eight assists in his last five against the Canucks.