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Red Wings look to snap mini-slide vs. Canucks

Jan 17, 2008 - 2:40 PM Vancouver (25-17-4) at Detroit (33-10-4) 7:30 pm EST

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings look to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

Detroit matched a season-high three-game slide on Tuesday when they suffered a 5-1 setback against the Atlanta Thrashers. Detroit failed to put more than one goal on the board despite taking 47 shots in the contest.

Still far and away the top team in the NHL with 33 wins and 70 points, Detroit leads the league in goals scored with 160 and tops the Western Conference in goals against, allowing just 104 through 47 games.

But defense has been at the root of the problem during the Red Wings' recent skid. They allowed five goals in regulation to the Minnesota Wild on January 10 before falling in a shootout and then lost, 3-2, at Ottawa last Saturday.

The Canucks will have to find a way to capitalize on Detroit's recent defensive lapses. Vancouver ranks last in the Northwest Division in goals scored and has lost three of its last four games.

Star goaltender Roberto Luongo made just 18 saves in a 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. All-Star Daniel Sedin scored his team-leading 22nd goal in the setback.

The Red Wings have won two of the three meetings between the teams this season, with right wing Tomas Holmstrom tallying in each of the three contests.