Canucks Blackhawks Monday Practice

The Canucks are in the Windy City after splitting their opening two games of their 2nd round playoffs series with the Blackhawks.

Both teams skated today at the United Center. Pavol Demitra did not skate for Vancouver while Sammy Pahlsson was absent for the Hawks. Both players were taking maintenance days.

Saturday's 6-3 loss in Game 2 was Vancouver's first home ice defeat of the post-season, and just their 2nd regulation time loss at GM Place in their last 19 games. The Canucks were out-shot 32-21 on the night. The only time they have out-shot the opposition in the playoffs came in Game 1 of the series with the St. Louis Blues.

Sami Salo suffered a lower body injury after scoring the opening goal of the game on a power play. He did not travel with the team to Chicago and it's undetermined whether or not he'll be healthy enough to join the team for Games 3 and 4 at the United Center. For what it's worth, when Salo was out of the line-up in December and January, the Canucks won just four of 15 games.

The Hawks come home after putting eight goals behind Roberto Luongo in the opening two games at GM Place. They are undefeated at home in the playoffs, having out-scored the Calgary Flames 11-5 in three games.14 players have scored a goal in the playoffs for Chicago, the most of any team in the post season. Brent Seabrook has the longest active point scoring streak for Chicago, with one goal and six assists in his last five games.