Canucks at Wild
The Vancouver Canucks look to post back-to-back wins for the first time in more than a month when they continue their seven-game road trip Sunday against the Minnesota Wild. Vancouver, which has not won consecutive contests since posting a three-game streak from Nov. 30-Dec. 5, halted a five-game slide with Friday's 5-2 triumph in Columbus.
The Canucks trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes but erupted for four straight goals in the second period, including two on the power play, and went on to improve to 1-2-1 on their trek. Minnesota kicked off its four-game homestand Saturday by avenging a brutal loss in Winnipeg on Nov. 27 with a 4-1 triumph over the Jets. Defenseman Matt Dumba recorded his second two-goal performance of the season and Mikael Granlund remained hot with a tally and an assist as the Wild extended their home point streak to six games (5-0-1). The 25-year-old Granlund has collected six goals and seven assists over his last nine contests to pull within two points of Eric Staal (37) for the team lead.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Vancouver), FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (17-21-6): Chris Tanev was back in the lineup Friday after missing two games with facial injuries. The 28-year-old defenseman, who posted a minus-1 rating in 19 minutes, 18 seconds of ice time, has recorded two goals and four assists in 28 contests this season. Brandon Sutter, who has not played since Nov. 24 due to a groin injury, could return on Sunday.
ABOUT THE WILD (24-17-4): Ryan Suter notched an assist in Saturday's victory to extend his point streak to four games. The 32-year-old defenseman, who is fourth on the team in scoring with 29 points, needs four assists to reach 400 for his career. Dumba also scored twice on Dec. 16 against Edmonton after registering his first two-goal effort in the NHL on March 3, 2015 versus Ottawa and is 10 points away from matching the career high of 34 he set last season.
OVERTIME
1. Canucks All-Star RW Brock Boeser leads the team with 40 points but has been kept off the scoresheet in four of his last six contests.
2. Minnesota C Matt Cullen remains one point shy of 700 for his career as he is mired in a five-game drought.
3. Vancouver LW Thomas Vanek has collected five goals and eight assists in his last 10 contests.