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Canucks, Predators hope to move up in crowded West

Feb 21, 2008 - 2:29 PM Vancouver (30-22-8) at Nashville (32-23-7) 8:00 pm EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) - In the crowded Western Conference playoff race, every game between now and the end of the season is crucial.

The Vancouver Canucks visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday looking to move up in the playoff standings.

With 68 points, the Canucks currently reside in the eighth and final spot in the West, two points ahead of the Phoenix Coyotes (31-26-4. They are just two points shy of both the San Jose Sharks (31-21-8) and Calgary Flames (31-22-8).

Vancouver has won two in a row, including a 3-2 overtime victory at Minnesota on Tuesday. Daniel Sedin tallied the game-winner at the 3:18 mark of the extra session and Henrik Sedin picked up his 49th and 50th assists of the season in the win.

No strangers to close games, the Canucks have seen 14 of their 17 games decided by a single goal.

The Predators have gone 4-1-1 in their last six games to move up to fifth in the West with 71 points. They squeaked out a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, as J.P. Dumont snapped a 4-4 deadlock with a shorthanded tally with 1:55 left in the game.

Dumont also had a pair of assists against the Oilers and has totaled nine points over the last four games, thanks in part to the continued strong play of linemates Jason Arnott and Alexander Radulov.

The teams have split two contests this season, but have not met since December 5.