Wild at Canucks
THE STORY: If the Vancouver Canucks hope to build some momentum in their own building, Saturday afternoon's tilt with the visiting Minnesota Wild may represent their best chance. The Canucks have dominated the Wild at Rogers Arena, winning their last seven meetings there. Vancouver would like to stretch that run to eight games after dominating from start to finish in a 5-1 win over the Nashville Predators on Thursday - a victory that should keep the vultures from circling for a while. Fans and media were getting anxious after the defending Western Conference champions sputtered to an 0-2 start at home. Minnesota is coming off a thrilling 2-1 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers two nights ago. Dany Heatley forced extra time with a half-second left in the third period, while Matt Cullen converted the winning goal in the shootout.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, NHL Network, Fox Sports North, Rogers Sportsnet Pacific
ABOUT THE WILD (3-2-2): Minnesota will be relying on two things as it looks to end an ugly stretch that has seen the club get outscored 28-12 in its last seven visits to Vancouver. The Wild will need more production from the top line of Heatley, Mikko Koivu and Devin Setoguchi, which has combined for just three goals so far. They'd also like to see steadier goaltending from Niklas Backstrom, who has a 3.64 goals-against average in his last five games at Rogers Arena.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (3-3-1): Roberto Luongo was sensational in goal for Vancouver on Thursday, frustrating Nashville shooters all game long. He'll get a well-deserved rest Saturday as Cory Schneider gets the call. Schneider has enjoyed plenty of success against Minnesota in his career, owning a 3-1-0 mark with a 1.62 goals-against average and a shutout in five appearances (four starts). He is 1-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA in two starts so far this season.
OVERTIME:
1. Canucks forward Ryan Kesler was a one-man wrecking crew against Minnesota last season, scoring seven goals in six games. He has 18 goals in 41 career games vs. the Wild, easily the most against any opponent.
2. Heatley has just four goals in 15 career games against the Canucks, though he averaged a point per game in four meetings with Vancouver last season as a member of the San Jose Sharks.