@

After re-claiming top spot in the Northwest Division for the first time since December, the Vancouver Canucks (42-22-11) look to strengthen their hold on the third seed in the West when they return home from a six-game road trip for a quick one-game pit stop at GM Place tonight. They’ll be facing an equally hot team in the Anaheim Ducks (39-32-6) tonight, winners of seven of their last eight games.

With plenty on the line for both the Canucks and the Wild on Tuesday, the excitement level in the game didn’t seem to match the hype surrounding it. In a tilt that, at times, made a Brahms’ Lullaby recital seem like a Nickelback concert, the Canucks were certainly lulled to sleep in the third period as they were out-shot 11-0 in the frame while surrendering the equalizing goal to Marian Gaborik. But for a team that could not buy a win just two months ago, the Canucks won’t be making any apologies for stealing a win in a game in which they were out-played for a large portion of as Henrik Sedin played overtime hero netting his career-high 19th of the season with a minute left in overtime to give Vancouver a 2-1 win. The victory allowed the Canucks to move past idle Calgary for the top spot in the division for the first time since prior to Christmas. While the Canucks will try and improve their positioning as well as extend their franchise record home win streak to 12 games, their opponents tonight are desperate to cling to their hold on the final playoff spot in the West.

The Ducks are coming off a big 5-3 win in Edmonton on Tuesday night but are still very much in a dogfight for one of the final two playoff spots in the West. They’re hoping to make up some ground on the Blues and the idle Predators by posting their second win on their current three-game road trip and their fourth straight win on the road overall. After tonight, the Ducks wrap up their trip with a divisional match-up against the Sharks on Saturday night. The Canucks lead the season series with a 2-0-1 record although the Ducks managed to come out ahead in the last meeting between these two teams – a 4-3 overtime win at the Honda Center back on March 11th.

Tonight’s game faces off at 7:00pm PST and can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet Pacific.

Quotable ~ “The guys were good, the organization has been good, and the coaches good. The transition back was like I never left. That’s what helped me get through it all. I appreciate it. That was big.” – Rick Rypien on maing his return to the lineup on Tuesday after missing 70 games with a sports hernia injury and personal issues. (The Province)

@

In support of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, online donations are being accepted now by filling out the form HERE or clicking the link HERE

Event day only from 12pm – midnight, donate on-line or at 604.777.CARE or #2273 on your TELUS Mobility phone, or 1-866-480-KIDS

All those who donate before midnight on March 15th are eligible to win a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. Rules and regulations

STATS LLC

Avalanche-Canucks Preview

Each time the Vancouver Canucks take the ice at home, their collective confidence seems to grow a little more.

That’s important even with the lowly Colorado Avalanche coming to town.

The Canucks look to extend their home winning streak to nine games Sunday night while trying to avoid a ninth consecutive loss to their Northwest Division rivals.

After a pair of losses, Vancouver (35-23-9) opened a four-game homestand with a 4-2 win over Los Angeles on Friday. It was the Canucks’ eighth straight victory — all in regulation — at GM Place since they went 0-6-3 from Dec. 30-Jan. 31.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence here,” said Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin, who scored twice in a 30-second span of the third period to break a 2-2 against the Kings.

The Canucks, who are fifth in the Western Conference and four points behind fourth-place Chicago, haven’t won nine in a row at home since Nov. 6-Dec. 9, 1992. Vancouver has outscored its opponents 31-15 during its current run at home.

“Right now we feel good playing in front of our fans and playing at home,” forward Alex Burrows told the Canucks’ official Web site after he scored his 21st goal Friday. “I think we’re playing well with the lead, I think that’s the biggest key.”

Continuing their home success, however, could be difficult against Colorado (31-37-1) as the teams meet in the first four meetings over the final month of the regular season.

Vancouver is 0-5-3 against the Avalanche since beating them 2-1 at home on Nov. 9, 2007. The Canucks also are 0-2-2 at home versus Colorado since that victory and have a pair of shootout losses against the Avalanche this season.

Burrows, who has six goals in his last six games, has just one assist against the Avalanche in 2008-09.

Roberto Luongo made 24 saves Friday to improve to 25-9-6 with a 2.45 goals-against average. The Canucks’ captain is 5-13-3 with a 3.11 GAA against the Avalanche and has lost his last seven starts versus them.

Colorado won 3-2 in overtime at Edmonton on Saturday to move one point ahead of Phoenix and out of last place in the West.

Defenseman John-Michael Liles scored 42 seconds into the extra session and added two assists for the Avalanche, who have won three of their last four after losing six straight.

“We’re not looking at it as being spoilers right now, we’re just looking to win as many games as we can,” said Colorado coach Tony Granato, whose team hopes to win three in a row on the road for the first time since Feb. 2-9, 2008.

Peter Budaj made 18 saves in his fourth straight start to improve to 19-26-1 with a 2.89 GAA. Despite the back-to-back scenario, Budaj could be back in net. He is 4-3-0 with a 2.97 GAA against Vancouver and has won three straight against the Canucks.

Paul Stastny scored his 11th of the season Saturday and had three assists in the Avalanche’s 5-4 home win over Vancouver on Dec. 7 in the teams’ most recent meeting.