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Stumbling Canucks look to salvage home stand

Jan 18, 2009 - 8:06 AM Columbus (21-19-4) at Vancouver (22-19-5) 8:00 p.m. EST

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) -- Mats Sundin and Roberto Luongo are nice additions to the lineup that just haven't been able to spark the Vancouver Canucks to victories.

The Canucks will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak and earn the first win of a five-game homestand when they face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.

The veteran Sundin was signed to provide some offensive spark to a team that has averaged 2.33 goals over its last 12 games. But Sundin, who has scored 556 career goals and collected 1323 points, has managed just one goal and one assist in five games since entering the lineup.

Luongo, who had been out since November 22 with a groin injury, returned to the lineup on Thursday and allowed a goal 65 seconds into the first period as Vancouver fell, 4-1, against Phoenix. The two-time Vezina trophy finalist allowed all four goals on 32 shots.

Sundin played 17 minutes in the loss to the Coyotes, his most ice time since joining the team. He took four shots on goal.

The Blue Jackets are coming off a 2-1 loss at New Jersey on Friday, allowing a pair of unanswered goals in the third period. The game-winning goal appeared to be scored as the goal post was being dislodged, but the tally was allowed.

Columbus has won both of the meetings between the teams this season, most recently claiming a 3-2 victory on December 1 that saw Kristian Huselius scored the game-winning goal with 4:44 left.