GAME DAY: Canucks vs Wild

Two games in a row, two more consistent efforts and 2 shutouts to show for it. But the Canucks have a much more difficult task at hand tonight as they take on the division leading Minnesota Wild at GM Place. This would be, for those of you who are counting, The Most Important Game Of The Year Part 3. Minnesota has gotten off to a flying start this year with the tried and true methods of the Cult of Lemaire(™), stifling, yawn-inducing defence; tenacious forechecking; solid goaltending; and the ever present threat he might let Derek Boogaard take a shift and punch a hole in someone. And yet for as well as the Wild have played, and as inconsistent as the Canucks have been, a win can launch Vancouver over Minnesota into 1st, as the teams are separated by a mere loser point the Wild picked up. Vancouver's season will depend once again on how well they do against their divisional rivals. 2 years ago they were great, and made the playoffs. Last season they weren't and, well you see what I am getting at. Roberto Luongo is playing his best hockey of the season right now, his goalless streak sitting at 138 minutes and 34 seconds. Minnesota hasn't been shutout since Feb of last season, but considering the trouble this team has scoring goals, it could very well be tonight. Some of the Canucks will no doubt have the last meeting of these 2 teams in the back of their mind, which the Wild won 4-0, part of that horrendous slide that ended the Canucks season. Luongo will need to buck a trend against Minnesota, his worst record against any one opponent is Minnesota, including going 3-4-1 last season. One bit of good news is the Wild will still be without one of their best Dmen tonight. Brent Burns is out with an upperbody injury (remember when they only used to not tell you during the playoffs?) and will miss the game. For the Canucks, Alex Burrows missed yesterday's practice but is expected to be in the lineup, and Janick Hansen could return as well from his groin injury. More good news on the horizon as Pavol Demitra may get cleared to return to practicing Monday, he has begun skating and is healing ahead of schedule. Rick Rypien is still on the IR after his sports hernia tear. The Wild will also be without Marion Gaborik, Owen Nolan and Kurtis Foster, Tomas Mojzis is listed as day-to-day. This has all the makings of a classic battle: 2 teams with an intense dislike for each other, first place on the line, one of the top scoring teams against a defensive juggernaut. Something has to give and it will tonight.