[Hyack]

....A well deserved, much needed win for the Canucks....

[sandorski]

Victory!

[N_Fiddledog]

They've got a tough week coming up.

Do well Canuckleheads. Make liars of us naysayers.

[Hyack]

Vancouver vs Anaheim

The Vancouver Canucks begin a five-game home stand tonight with a battle against familiar foe Ryan Kesler and the league-leading Anaheim Ducks.

'Predictably unpredictable' might be the best way to describe the Canucks these days. How else can you explain a two-game road trip that began with a shootout loss to one of the worst teams in the league followed by a victory against one of the league's most desperate teams? Where the Canucks want to unpredictable is in their start as they will want to deviate from the script that sees them fall behind early because spotting the best team in the league with a lead is probably not going to be conducive to success – especially since that team has already beaten Vancouver in three of four meetings this season.

Despite coming off a win, the Canucks could make changes to their lineup – some by choice and some by necessity. Nick Bonino, Chris Higgins and Yannick Weber were absent from yesterday's practice, but the Canucks did welcome back Chris Tanev and Brad Richardson to the session. Tanev will be a game-day decision while Richardson remains doubtful. Ronalds Kenins, who was a healthy scratch against the Sharks, is also a possibility to return to the lineup as he skated yesterday on a unit with Bo Horvat and Jannik Hansen.

Puck drop at 7 pm PT – Live on Sportsnet Pacific

Update (11:22 a.m.) - Chris Tanev returns tonight while Nick Bonino is also expected to play. Tanev takes the spot of Yannick Weber, who will sit out with an injury. Frankie Corrado draws in taking Adam Clendening's spot. Eddie Lack starts.

[sandorski]

woo horvat for the lead

[Hyack]

Horvat scores...

[sandorski]

booyah kassian restores the lead

[Hyack]

Kassian makes it 2-1.....

[Hyack]

Ahhhhhh Jesus Edler....wrong time for a slashing penalty!!

[sandorski]

Sweet Victory!

Although it seems unlikely they will catch the Ducks for first in the Division, they certainly had to win this one to do it.

[Hyack]

2-1 Canucks.....

[Hyack]

Despite being badly out-shot by the Ducks tonight the Canucks with a great deal of help by Eddie Lack managed to defeat the number one team in the league, also the team with the best road record in the NHL (20-9-4). Surprisingly enough the Canucks follow the Ducks closely having the 3rd best road record in the league (20-12-3). Tonight's win keeps them 2nd place in the Western division and 12th place in the league standings. This was the first of a 5 game home stand for the Canucks with them playing the LA Kings on Thursday.

[Hyack]

Vancouver vs Los Angeles

The Vancouver Canucks look to stretch their win streak to three games tonight when they take on the Los Angeles Kings in a crucial Pacific Division clash with plenty of playoff implications.

It seems like we've been saying the Canucks have been in playoff mode for quite some time now but it's safe to say tonight's tilt is about as big as it gets without having that official post-season label. The Canucks, coming off back-to-back wins over some pretty tough Californian opponents including a 2-1 victory over the league-leading Ducks on Monday, have a chance to do a number of teams in the Western Conference a favour if they can knock off the Kings tonight. Los Angeles begins play sitting one point out of a wild card spot and three points behind the Canucks for second place in the Pacific Division.

The Canucks, minus netminder Ryan Miller, held an all hands on deck practice yesterday but that doesn't mean all the injured bodies are set to return. Judging by the session, it appears the only lineup change from Monday will be Ronalds Kenins taking Brandon McMillan's roster spot. Eddie Lack is the expected starter between the pipes as he looks to equal his season-high personal win streak with his third straight victory.

Puck drop at 7 pm PT – Live on Sportsnet Pacific

[sandorski]

I am disappoint

They're going to lose some games before the Playoffs, I suppose this was one of them. Just as long as they can Win enough anyway.

[Hyack]

Another dismal performance by the Canucks tonight going down to the Kings by a score of 4-0. This was their 3rd meeting of the year and their 3rd loss to the Kings. The scary part is with only 15 games left in the season the Canucks will face the Kings two more times, one at home, the other a road game. The battle in the Pacific division to make the playoffs has the 2nd through 5th placed teams divided by only 4 points, so every game now can be considered a must win game. The Canucks play Toronto on Saturday, hopefully being able to pick up 2 more points to keep their advantage in the division.