Game Day: Canucks at Stars

The Canucks are just four points behind the Ducks with a game in hand for second place in the Western Conference. The proximity to such lofty heights seemed unfathomable before Christmas when Anaheim had a cushion on the Canucks that was more than 20 points. But a 19-3-3 run will tend to have a dramatic impact on the standings.

The Canucks have already played the Stars three times this season, winning two. Each of the games has ended 2-1.

• Both teams have 36 wins for the season.
• Only a point separate the Canucks (61 GP, 76 pts) and the Stars (60 GP, 75 pts) in the standings.
• Neither team put a lot of pucks in the net, both being in the bottom third in the league in scoring. The Stars are 23rd, averaging 2.62 goals per game; the Canucks are 24th, averaging 2.61.
• Both are in the top of the league in goals against - the Stars are 2nd in the NHL, allowing only 2.37 goals per game; the Canucks are 4th, allowing only 2.48 goals per game.
• The Stars score on 18.2% of their powerplay opportunities; the Canucks score on 17.8% of theirs.
• The Canucks' penalty-killing unit are tops in the league with an 88.7% success rate; the Stars aren't too far behind with an 84.1% success rate.

• A memo from Luongo to his defensemen. - Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province)
• And you thought some of the trade rumors out there were bad. - Ed Willes (Vancouver Province)
• Ryan Kesler proclaims his rehab to be two weeks ahead of schedule. - Ben Kuzma (Vancouver Province)
• The Stars have claimed ex-Canuck - and our dog's namesake - Baumer and may have him in the lineup today. - TSN.ca

Labels: game day preview, Stars