Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Canucks/Oilers Game Day Preview

Not a great turn out at the Canucks optional skate this morning as Vancouver prepares to take on the Edmonton Oilers. However Mats Sundin was one of the eight skaters taking part and he has confirmed (in front of a wild pack of reporters) that he will make his Canucks debut tonight at Rexall Place.

Sundin is expected to play on a line with Kyle Wellwood and Mason Raymond, both who took the morning skate off. If yesterday's practice was any indication, that line will also be the 2nd power play unit against Edmonton.

The Canucks (21-15-5) are 2-2-0 against the Oilers this season. Jannik Hansen has led all Canucks in head-to-head scoring against the Oilers with three goals and one assist. However he will be watching this game from Winnipeg.

The Oilers (19-16-3) are coming off back-to-back wins for the 2nd time this season, posting a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders and a 4-1 decision against the Dallas Stars. The Oilers are without their leading scorer as Ales Hemsky (10g,25a) who is with sidelined with concussion-like symptoms. Former Vancouver Giants forward Gilbert Brule is expected to play on the Oilers top line tonight with Shawn Horcoff and Dustin Penner.

Here are the expected line-ups for both teams:

Canucks:

D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Demitra
Raymond - Sundin - Wellwood
Burrows - Kesler - Bolduc
Hordichuk - Jaffray - Bernier

Mitchell - Bieksa
O'Brien - Edler
Ohlund - Davison/Nycholat

LaBarbera
Sanford

Oilers:

Dustin Penner - Shawn Horcoff - Gilbert Brule
Robert Nilsson - Sam Gagner - Eric Cole
Ethan Moreau - Andrew Cogliano - Marc Pouliot
Jason Strudwick - Kyle Brodziak - Zach Stortini

Sheldon Souray - Tom Gilbert
Lubomir Visnovsky - Denis Grebeshkov
Steve Staios - Ladislav Smid

Dwayne Roloson
Mathieu Garon

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