Monday, December 1, 2008

The Canucks and Blue Jackets prepare for their 2nd meeting of the season tonight in Columbus. Blue Jackets took the first game, with Rick Nash scoring twice in a 4-2 win back on October 21.

Vancouver will not have Darcy Hordichuk in action as he suffered a slight fracture in his left foot following a blocked shot Saturday in Calgary. Jason Jaffray has been called up from the Manitoba Moose. Curtis Sanford will start in net and will be sporting a new neck protector under his mask. Roberto Luongo was on the ice in full equipment for the last five minutes, stretching and going through different movements. He did not take any shots.

Don't be surprised to see new-look line combos for Vancouver after back-to-back losses against the Flames. Although they didn't skate in lines this morning, there could be changes up and down their forward units. Although Daniel and Henrik Sedin have started the last seven games alongside Pavol Demitra, they've finished the last two games playing with Taylor Pyatt.

Vancouver's power play has gone 2-for-16 in the last five games. It's not nearly as bad as Columbus though. Dead last in the NHL on the PP, the Blue Jackets have only scored twice in their last 49 power play chances.

Columbus is coming off a 3-0 win at home Saturday against Washington. Their top two lines include Nash with R.J. Umberger in the middle and Kristian Huselius on left wing while Derrick Brassard centres Jason Chimera on the left and Jakub Voracek on the right.

Game time is 4:00pm PST on Team 1040 AM.

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