Blue Jackets at Canucks
THE STORY: The Vancouver Canucks will look to avoid their first three-game losing skid in nearly 14 months on Saturday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Canucks lead the season series 2-0-1. The Blue Jackets enter as losers of three straight. Vancouver was on a nine-game winning streak against Columbus, before a 2-1 shootout defeat Dec. 13. The Canucks’ last regulation loss to the Blue Jackets was a 5-3 decision Oct. 5, 2009.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN (Columbus), CBC (Vancouver)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (22-41-7): The Blue Jackets opened a three-game trip through western Canada with a 3-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. Columbus has managed just four regulation goals in three games against Vancouver. Goaltender Steve Mason has rebounded after a horrible start to string together seven wins in his last 11 decisions (7-3-1). “We totally redesigned his equipment,” Blue Jackets goaltending coach Ian Clark said. “He was playing undersized relative to league limits.” Mason increased the size of every piece of his equipment before a game against Minnesota on Feb. 11 and the results were immediate. The former Calder Trophy winner stopped 34 of 35 shots in the contest for his first win since December.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (42-20-8): Vancouver has lost four of its last five games and is 2-4-2 in its last eight. The Canucks have failed to take advantage of a season-high seven-game homestand, which concludes Saturday. Vancouver hits the road for four games beginning Monday in Minnesota. Goaltender Roberto Luongo is winless in four straight and has a 5.31 goals-against average and .845 save percentage during that stretch. Backup netminder Cory Schneider is 8-0-1 in nine starts since Dec. 15 and will be between the pipes Saturday.
OVERTIME:
1. Canucks F Manny Malhotra (personal) will miss his second straight game on Saturday night.
2. Schneider is 3-0-1 in his last four starts with a 1.40 GAA and .951 save percentage.
3. Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash is dealing with an undisclosed injury, but is expected to be ready to play Saturday.