- THE BUZZ:
Playing their fourth game in six nights, the Canucks (3-5) will have another opportunity to earn their first road win tonight in a rematch of last year's Western Conference semi-finals against Chicago. (5:30 p.m. PT, TSN)
- ROAD WOES:
The 0-4 away record so far is nothing to fret about yet, considering the previous poor road starts in franchise history. There have been eight seasons where the Canucks have gone winless in the first five or more games away from home. In 2001-02, Vancouver started off with a 1-6 road record, while in 1997-98, they began with a dismal 1-7-0-1. Their worst start ever came early, back in 1973-74 when they hit a 1-13-2 skid.
- SHOTS:
The Canucks are averaging 36 shots a game, good for second in the league behind Buffalo. They've outshot their opponents seven of the eight games. The problem though is finish. Take away the 7-1 win against Montreal, and the Canucks would only have averaged 2.14 goals per game, putting them in the bottom five overall.
- LAST MEETING:
Goaltender Roberto Luongo, with a 3.22 GAA and .879 save percentage, will have something to prove against Chicago, after the Blackhawks scored seven goals in Game 6 to eliminate the Canucks from the playoffs. Both teams won two games in four regular season matchups last year.
