Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Canucks/Flyers Game Day & Sundin Meets Media

It wasn't your typical game day skate for the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place today as the team prepares to play the Philadelphia Flyers.

Mats Sundin officially met the local media for the first time today. 13 television network cameras, plus numerous other reporters were on hand to see the newest Canucks forward on the ice and at the podium. It's been confirmed that he won't travel with the team this coming week to either Nashville or Atlanta. In fact, coach Alain Vigneault said he won't play until at least after the game at home against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 4. He will remain in Vancouver over the next week and skate with the injured Canucks.

Roberto Luongo was on the ice in full gear before the Canucks took their morning skate. He didn't skate for more than ten minutes today, and said afterwards it was just another step in the rehab and recovery process. There was no update given as to his time-line for returning to the line-up.

The Canucks (20-14-3) are likely to go with their same line-up tonight as to the one they iced in a 3-0 win over the Ottawa Senators on Dec 28. Vancouver enters the night three points back of the Calgary Flames for top spot in the Northwest Division.

The Flyers (19-10-7) are in second spot in the Atlantic Division, four points back of the New York Rangers. They are sporting the top power play in the NHL (38/141=27.0%) and have not lost a game in Vancouver since 1989.

Here are the expected line-ups for both teams:

Canucks:

D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Demitra
Raymond - Wellwood - Bernier
Burrows - Kesler - Hansen
Hordichuk - Jaffray - Brown

Mitchell - Bieksa
Ohlund - Nycholat
O'Brien - Edler

Sanford
Schneider

Flyers:

Simone Gagne - Mike Richards - Mike Knuble
Scott Hartnell - Jeff Carter - Joffrey Lupul
Jonathan Kalinski - Darrol Powe - Claude Giroux
Riley Cote - Glen Metropolit - Josh Gratton

Kimmo Timonen - Ossi Vaanenen
Luca Sbisa - Randy JonesBrayden Coburn - Matt Carle

Martin Biron
Antero Niittymaki

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