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Red Wings to face vs. Luongo-less Canucks

Nov 24, 2008 - 3:56 PM Detroit (14-2-3) at Vancouver (13-6-2) 10:00 p.m. EST

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings are no strangers to strong starts, and this season is no exception.

The defending Stanley Cup Champions will look to maintain a perfect November on Monday when they visit the Vancouver Canucks, who expect to be without goaltender Roberto Luongo.

The Canucks captain injured his groin in a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Luongo went down attempting to make a save on a shot that was blocked in front. He was helped of the rink by the training staff, putting no weight on his left leg.

His status will be updated Monday, but Luongo is not expected to play against the Red Wings.

The loss will be a huge blow against Detroit, which has yet to lose in regulation this month, with just a 7-6 overtime setback vs. Pittsburgh on November 11 the lone time in eight games it has failed to net the full two points.

The offense is averaging four goals per game over the last five wins, and Jiri Hudler has four goals in the past three contests. Newcomer Marian Hossa has been a great addition to the top line, leading the club with 24 points.

Hudler and Pavel Datsyuk each tallied a goal and an assist and Hossa added an empty-net goal in a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Vancouver has not suffered a regulation loss since falling to the Red Wings, 3-2 on November 2. Hudler had a pair of assists in the contest and Luongo made 20 saves.

The Canucks have gone 7-0-2 since that setback.