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Red Wings continue trip through Western Canada

Feb 23, 2008 - 2:59 PM Detroit (42-16-5) at Vancouver (31-22-8) 10:00 pm EST

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) - The Detroit Red Wings' trip through Western Canada could not have gotten off to a worse start.

The Red Wings will look to bounce back from getting shutout for the second time in a week when they visit the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.

Detroit, which concludes its five-game road swing Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, has lost more than just games over its current trip.

After suffering a 1-0 loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday, All-Star defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom sprained his right knee in Monday's 4-0 victory over the rival Colorado Avalanche. The Red Wings captain will be out of the lineup for about three weeks.

Forty-six-year-old defenseman Chris Chelios then hurt his right foot in the opening minute of Friday's 1-0 loss to the Calgary Flames. With fellow defensemen Niklas Kronwall and Brian Rafalski also hurt, Detroit's defensive corps is severely shorthanded.

The Canucks are seeking their fourth straight victory after rookie Mason Raymond scored the lone goal in the shootout in a 3-2 triumph over the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Raymond also tied in regulation for his sixth career goal.

Vancouver currently occupies the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff race. The club is just two points out of fifth, but also is the same distance away from falling out of the picture.