Red Wings at Canucks
THE STORY: The Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks did not resemble perennial superpowers in the Western Conference early in the season. Their fortunes have changed considerably as they both enter their showdown at Rogers Arena on Wednesday on impressive rolls. Detroit, which is 1-0 on its four-game road trip, has won five of its last six contests and 16 of 21. However, the Red Wings have dropped three of their last five away from home. Vancouver has captured 11 of its last 14 games and is 6-1-1 over its last eight. The Canucks have won five of their last six in their own building and enter with a three-game winning streak at home during which they have outscored their opponents 15-1.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN (Detroit), TSN (Vancouver)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (21-10-1): Pavel Datsyuk has been red hot for Detroit, registering 23 points over his last 16 games. Henrik Zetterberg also has picked up his game as he enters Wednesday with a six-game points streak. Jimmy Howard leads the league with 20 victories and is fifth with a 1.91 goals-against average. His three shutouts are one off the league lead. The Red Wings have earned at least one point in 17 of their last 19 games in western Canada, going 14-2-3 in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton since the beginning of the 2008-09 campaign.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (20-11-2): After getting off to a slow start this season, Roberto Luongo has turned things around. The former team captain has posted a 6-0-1 record over his last seven outings. The Sedin twins have been instrumental in Vancouver's recent run of success. Captain Henrik Sedin has collected 15 points in his last nine contests while Daniel has notched 13 during the same span. Alexander Sulzer made his first appearance in 19 games in Monday's shutout victory over the Minnesota Wild thanks to injuries to fellow defensemen Aaron Rome (thumb) and Keith Ballard (back).
OVERTIME:
1. The Red Wings have won seven of their last 10 visits to Rogers Arena.
2. Each of the last six meetings between the conference rivals have been decided by fewer than three goals, with three contests going beyond regulation.