- THE BUZZ: After suffering their first loss in eight games, the Canucks look to get back on track Thursday in Ottawa against the red-hot Senators, who were riding a nine-game winning streak into Buffalo to play the Sabres Wednesday.
- DISTANCE: A win combined with an Avalanche loss can move the Canucks four points up on Colorado, who are also in action Thursday, for the Northwest division lead.
- STREAKING SENS: The return of Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson from injuries has sparked the Senators. Despite having the second-worse powerplay in the league and allowing an average of 2.75 goals against per game - 19th overall - Ottawa sits fifth in the East with 66 points. Goaltender Brain Elliott has not allowed more than two goals in each of his last seven games, while Spezza has scored in every game since he's been back.
- EYE ON 2010: While Alex Kovalev was snubbed by the Russians, five other Sens will represent their respective countries at the five-ringed circus: Milan Michalek and Filip Kuba (Czech Republic), Jarkko Ruutu (Finland), Anton Volchenkov (Russia) and Alfredsson (Sweden).
- LAST MEETING: Henrik and Daniel Sedin rolled all over the Sens last year, combining for 10 points in Vancouver's 3-0 and 5-2 wins to sweep the season series.
GAME ON:
Tonight, 4:30 p.m. on Sportsnet
