Final
Canucks try to bounce back against visiting Wild
Apr 7, 2011 - 3:15 PM (Sports Network) - Vancouver head coach Alain Vigneault wasn't too concerned about his team getting swept in a home-and-home set by the NHL's worst team. A rare home setback to Minnesota could raise some eyebrows though.The Canucks aim to get on track this evening with a seventh straight home victory over the Wild at Rogers Arena.
Vancouver had won 12 of its previous 13 games before hosting Edmonton last Saturday. The Canucks were dealt a 4-1 loss by the basement-dwelling Oilers, then suffered a 2-0 setback at Edmonton on Tuesday. It marked the first time that the Canucks had suffered back-to-back losses since an 0-1-3 skid from Jan. 16-22.
Still, Vigneault isn't worried about his Canucks, which captured its first ever Presidents' Trophy this season by setting single-season club records with 52 wins and 113 points.
"I think you have to give a lot of credit to Edmonton cause they're playing hard and tight out there," said Vigneault. "We'll be fine when the playoffs come around."
Roberto Luongo made 20 saves for Vancouver, which had a franchise-record nine- game road win streak end. The club is 26-9-5 at home this season.
The Canucks, who end their regular season on Saturday at Calgary, had forward Mikael Samuelsson back in the lineup for the first time in seven games due to a leg injury.
Minnesota hasn't been as lucky with its injuries as of late. A number of Wild regulars are lost for the season, including forward Martin Havlat. He missed Sunday's 4-2 setback in Detroit with an upper-body injury suffered the previous game and isn't expected to play in any of Minnesota's final three games.
Marek Zidlicky is also likely out tonight due to a hamstring issue, while John Madden (lower body), Cal Clutterbuck (upper body) and Jose Theodore (leg) are all questionable.
Brad Staubitz had a goal in Sunday's loss and set up Carson McMillan's goal, which came in his first NHL game. Theodore ended with 30 saves for the Wild, who have dropped two straight and 10 of their last 12.
"I thought we competed and played hard today," said Minnesota head coach Todd Richards. "But against a good team like Detroit you need more than that to win."
Minnesota lost the opener of a three-game swing and plays in Edmonton on Friday before hosting Dallas on Sunday.
In addition to its lengthy losing streak at Rogers Arena, the Wild have lost nine of their past 13 overall against the Canucks.
- MINNESOTA: 0
VANCOUVER: 5
Final
Apr 8 12:30 AM - Vancouver Goal - Ryan Kesler (40), from Chris Higgins at 2:18.
Wild 0, Canucks 5 3rd - 17:42Apr 7 11:59 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
VANCOUVER: 4
End of 2nd
Apr 7 11:38 PM - Vancouver Goal - Mason Raymond (15), from Daniel Sedin and Kevin Bieksa at 9:11.
Wild 0, Canucks 4 2nd - 10:49Apr 7 11:21 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
VANCOUVER: 2
End of 1st
Apr 7 10:46 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
VANCOUVER: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Apr 7 10:12 PM
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