Gameday: Canucks vs. Stars

As low scoring as they can be, it's always a gooder when the Canucks and Stars match up. If we could play this way against, oh... I don't know, San Jose or L.A., then we would be laughing. The last few years have seen some memorable games between these teams, but the 7 game playoff series last spring cranked the rivalry intensity up a notch. The teams are very evenly matched, defensive-minded clubs with great goaltending and the ability to bust out of that defensive shell and score a couple. There are some twists this time around, as the Canucks will be without Roberto Luongo, who will be meeting up with the team later this week when they make their way to Florida, and Willie Mitchell, who was placed on IR by the Canucks today after it was revealed he had been playing with a fracture to a C2 vertebrae in his back. The team expects him back soon, though as it has been 5 weeks since the injury occurred. Lukas Krajicek will be a game time decision, and Nathan McIver will be in his place if he is not able to go, having hurt his shoulder in the victory over the Blues last Wednesday on a hit by Keith Tkachuk. Dallas has suffered in the injury department as well, they will be without Dman Sergei Zubov and forwards Jere Lehtinen and Phillipe Boucher. They have been struggling lately, just like the Canucks, though they remain tied atop the Pacific division with San Jose. The Canucks will be starting Curtis Sanford in goal tonight, and have called up Drew McIntyre from the Manitoba Moose, fresh off his strong performance helping Team Canada to a shootout win in the AHL All Star Game last night. The Canucks have won their last 3 at home against Dallas, and 3 of the last 4 against the Stars. With a win tonight, Sanford will be the first goalie whose name doesn't go well with "Bingo, Bango, Bongo..." to win at GM Place since Mika Noronen's ot victory at the end of the 2005-06 season. Expect Marty Turco to get the start for the Stars, no word on whether he plans to file a protest about Curtis Sanford's equipment before the game.