Canucks & Devils Game Day

The Canucks (22-17-5) look to snap a four-game home ice winless streak tonight as they entertain the New Jersey Devils (24-15-3).

Taylor Pyatt will indeed return to the line-up after missing the last eight games with a broken foot. He'll start on a line with Mason Raymond and Mats Sundin.

Pavol Demitra, who has scored just two goals in his last 13 games, will start this game on a line with Ryan Johnson and Darcy Hordichuk.

Jannik Hansen will likely be the odd-man out of the line-up as far as the forwards are concerned tonight. Lawrence Nycholat is expected to draw back into the 6th defenceman spot in place of Rob Davison.

The Devils are coming off a 4-3 loss on the road to the Anaheim Ducks last Sunday. Zach Parise, who leads the team in points with 24g,25a is heading to the NHL All Star Game for the first time in his career. Patrik Elias, who is second overall in Devils scoring (19g,29a), has had 15 multiple-point performances this season.

Elias is now tied with Sundin and Jaromir Jagr for the NHL record of most overtime goals in a career. The three players have 15 lifetime. The Devils are 5-1 in games this season that are decided in overtime.

These two clubs met each other once last season. In New Jersey, the Canucks posted a 5-0 win Dec. 18/07. Henrik Sedin led the Canucks with three assists in the game while Roberto Luongo made 32 saves for the shut-out.

Here are the expected line-ups for both teams heading into tonight's action:
Canucks:

D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Wellwood
Raymond - Sundin - Pyatt
Burrows - Kesler - Bernier
Hordichuk - Johnson - Demitra

Mitchell - Bieksa
Ohlund - Nycholat
O'Brien - Edler

LaBarbera
Sanford

Devils:

Patrik Elias - Dainius Zubrus - Brian Gionta
Zach Parise - Travis Zajac - Jamie Langenbrunner
Jay Pandolfo - Bobby Holik - Mike Rupp
Brian Rolston - John Madden - David Clarkson

Johnny Oduya - Paul Martin
Colin White - Mike Mottau
Bryce Salvador - Andy Greene

Scott Clemmensen
Kevin Weekes