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Red Wings go for third straight win

Oct 16, 2008 - 10:05 AM Vancouver (2-1-0) at Detroit (2-1-0) 7:30 p.m. EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) -- After a season-opening loss, the Detroit Red Wings appear to have regained their championship form.

The Red Wings go for their third straight win on Thursday, when they host the Vancouver Canucks.

Detroit, which captured the Stanley Cup last season by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games, were picked by many to duplicate that feat in 2008-09.

However, after they raised their championship banner to the rafters at Joe Louis Arena on Opening Night, the Red Wings dropped a 3-2 decision to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who finished last in the Northeast Division last season.

Detroit did not take long to bounce back, posting a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday before downing the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-1, on Monday.

The Red Wings look to continue their surge against the Canucks, who lost three of four meetings with Detroit last season and are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Monday.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin lead Vancouver in scoring with five points apiece, while Daniel, Alex Burrows and Rick Rypien each have netted a pair of goals.

Defenseman Brian Rafalski tops Detroit with four points, all assists, and Tomas Holmstrom has scored a team-leading three goals - two on the power play.