Ducks at Canucks
THE STORY: It took the Vancouver Canucks a couple of months to
rediscover their 2010-11 form. But now that they have, it looks like the
Canucks are prepared to run away with the Western Conference again.
Vancouver got some revenge for its Stanley Cup loss with a win at Boston
last weekend, part of a stretch of four win in the last five games. The
Canucks have gone 14-3-2 over their last 19 contests, averaging 4.3
goals in the wins. After a four-game road trip, Vancouver return
home Sunday to host the suddenly surging Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks
went nearly three months without posting back-to-back victories until a
streak of three straight from Jan. 6-10. They had that stretch come to
an end with an overtime loss at Calgary but picked right back up on
Friday, blasting the Edmonton Oilers 5-0.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, KDOC (Anaheim), RSNP (Vancouver)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (14-22-7): While going 4-0-1 over its last five,
Anaheim has seen its stagnant offense transform into a juggernaut. The Ducks have averaged a robust 5.25 goals in
their last four wins. The
defense has also shown up, limiting opponents to a total of nine tallies
in the last five. Reigning MVP Corey Perry has five goals in the last
four games, including a pair during Friday’s win. Teemu Selanne, who
added a goal and an assist, called Friday the “best game as a team the
whole season.”
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (28-14-3): Vancouver was a .500 team in November
before taking off toward the top of the West. The Canucks had three
players named to the All-Star Game this week, Daniel and Henrik Sedin
and Alex Edler, and celebrated with a 3-2 overtime win at St. Louis on
Thursday. Daniel Sedin’s winning tally was the 700th point of
his career. Vancouver is opening a stretch of six straight at home,
which includes visits from fellow Western Conference elite Chicago and
Detroit.
OVERTIME:
1. The teams have split two meetings already this season, both at Anaheim.
2. Perry owns 20 points - seven goals - in 24 career games against
Vancouver, including a tally in the first meeting this season.
3. Daniel Sedin scored twice in the last meeting with the Ducks and has 35 points in 41 career games in the series.