[Hyack]

Vancouver vs San Jose

63

The Canucks begin a home-and-home set with the San Jose Sharks tonight when they face their Pacific Division rival for the second time in five days.

With just 20 games left in the regular season and a realistic shot at the post-season starting to slip away, the Canucks can ill-afford anything less than two points tonight even if they are once again a team decimated by injuries. The latest addition to the sick bay is a player that has been one of the team's MVPs this season in Jannik Hansen, who was a surprise late scratch in Vancouver's 3-2 loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. The Canucks could get some good news on the injury front if Radim Vrbata is able to return tonight. Recently-recalled Brendan Gaunce, who missed practice yesterday due to lost equipment, could also draw into the line-up.

This is the second of three meetings between the Canucks and Sharks this week. The Canucks dropped a 4-1 decision this past Sunday, and will head down to San Jose for yet another rematch on Saturday night. Look for Ryan Miller and Martin Jones to be between the pipes for their respective teams. The Sharks currently sit in third place in the Pacific Division but are just four points out of first. The Canucks, meanwhile, sit 14 points back of the Sharks.

Puck drop at 7 pm PT – Live on Sportsnet Pacific

[N_Fiddledog]

Chychrun's in the bag, but we'd at least like a shot at Matthews

Just enjoying watching the kids playing good for now.

Go Brendan. Hope they let you play. Just don't score too much. Yet. Get em' next year.

[Hyack]

Virtanen opens the scoring......1-0 Canucks......

[sandorski]

woot virtanen for the lead

[Hyack]

Baertschi makes it 2-0.......

[sandorski]

woo Baertchi(sp..we didn't trade this guy?)

[sandorski]

ahh

[xerxes]

Sigh. Same old same old.

[Hyack]

Vancouver at San Jose

64

The Canucks hope a change of venue will bring a change of fortunes when they take on the San Jose Sharks for the third time in seven days.

In two meetings against the Sharks this week, the Canucks have proven they have the ability to hang with one of the best teams in the league. What they haven't proven yet is if they can finish the job and topple one of the hottest teams going right now. They'll get another chance to try and do that tonight in a building they had a lot of success in last season winning all three games they played there. They won't be alone either as they'll have a cheering contingent of over 120 fans that have made the trek down to San Jose as part of the Canucks Official California Fan Road Trip.

With very few extra healthy bodies at their disposal, don't expect much in the way of line-up changes for the Canucks unless Radim Vrbata is ready to return or they opt to insert Yannick Weber into the line-up. Ryan Miller, who was understandably heated following Thursday's loss after he felt the Sharks' first goal should not have counted, figures to get the call again tonight. San Jose could give newcomer James Reimer the start although they'd be just as wise to stick with Martin Jones' hot hand.

Puck drop at 7 pm PT – Live on CBC

[sandorski]

woot ppg vey for the tie

[sandorski]

woo ppg baertschi for the lead

[sandorski]

woohoo ppg hamhuis restores the lead

[sandorski]

booyah empty netter burrows

[sandorski]

Sweet victory. Don't know if it will help their Playoff chances, but winning against the Sharks after the previous 2 Losses to them is nice to see.

[stratos]

Last I heard they were in far distant 4th place. 20pts from 1st place. Not trying to be cute or funny, but should they start doing some trades or what not in regards to next year? Been hearing on the radio that it looks like you would need to be one of the top 3 to make it to the play offs.