Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Canucks (28-21-8) on a day where President Barack Obama is in Canada's capital, prepare to play the Ottawa Senators (22-25-9).

This will be the 2nd and final meeting of the season between the two teams. The Canucks were 3-0 winners at GM Place December 28. Pavol Demitra (1g,1a), Henrik Sedin (1g,1a) and Daniel Sedin (2a) led the Canucks in scoring. Curtis Sanford was in net that night for Vancouver while Martin Gerber played in goal for the Sens. Shots were 32-18 in favour of the Canucks.Vancouver has won six of their last seven games and are 5-3-2 in their last ten road games.

Tonight also marks the 15th game this season the Canucks play an Eastern Conference opponent. The Canucks are 7-5-2 against the East this season. There could be one line-up change for the Canucks tonight as Mason Raymond or Darcy Hordichuk will be game-time decisions as to who plays on the line with Ryan Johnson and Jannik Hansen.

The Senators have taken points in seven straight games and are 5-1-2 since Cory Clouston took over the coaching duties following Craig Hartsburg's dismissal. However they are currently 13 points out of a playoff spot in the East. Tonight marks the Sens first home game after playing five straight on the road. In their last game, they fell 3-2 in overtime against the Colorado Avalanche. Former Canucks forward Ryan Shannon scored both goals in the loss for the Sens.

Ottawa will be without forward Daniel Alfredsson, who fractured his jaw against the Avs. Alfredsson's regular linemates are Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza. Heatley has 4g,1a in his last four games while Spezza has 2g,3a in his last five.

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

Canucks:

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

Mitchell - Salo
Ohlund - Edler
Bieksa - O'Brien

Luongo
LaBarbera

Senators:

Dany Heatley - Jason Spezza - Chris Kelly
Nick Foglino - Mike Fisher - Ryan Shannon
Antoine Vermette - Josh Hennesey - Jarko Ruutu
Shaon Donovan - Dean McAmmond - Jesse Winchester

Chris Phillips - Anton Volchenkov
Filip Kuba - Brian Lee
Brandon Bell - Jason Smith

Brian Elliott
Alex Auld

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