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Red Wings try to solve Canucks

Thu 4th, December 2008

(Sports Network) - No matter who has been in goal for the Canucks, they have already handed the Red Wings a pair of defeats this year. Vancouver and Detroit wrap their season series tonight in Motown at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings have lost just eight of their first 24 games this year (16-4-4), but have had some trouble with the Canucks, who have posted a pair of overtime wins over Detroit while losing the other meeting by just one goal.

Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo split his two starts versus Detroit this year, with Curtis Sanford getting the other win. Luongo, though, is currently on injured reserve due to a strained left groin, while Sanford left Monday's 3-2 loss to Columbus because of back spasms.

Sanford made 11 saves, but had to leave prior to the second period due to his back. Cory Schneider took over in the crease and allowed three goals on 18 shots in taking the loss.

Sanford hopes to play tonight, but if he can't, Schneider, a 2004 first-round pick, will make just his second career start and third overall appearance.

Kyle Wellwood and Kevin Bieksa had the goals for Vancouver, which has now dropped three straight games. Alexander Edler had two assists.

The Canucks lead the Northwest Division by one point over both Minnesota and Calgary, and have lost the first two tests of their season-high seven-game road trip. Vancouver is 7-6-1 on the road this season and will play in Minnesota on Friday.

Despite their hiccups against the Canucks, the Red Wings are still second in the Western Conference and first in the Central Division with 36 points. They have won two of three following Monday's 2-1 victory over Anaheim.

Marian Hossa had the deciding third-period tally, while Johan Franzen also scored for Detroit. Chris Osgood had an easy night, needing to make only 15 saves for the win.

Though just 1-0-2 with a 2.95 goals against average in three starts versus the Canucks this year, Osgood has still posted a 16-4-2 mark lifetime against them with four ties and a 2.46 GAA.

Detroit, which has lost three of its last five at home versus Vancouver, plays the second portion of a four-game homestand tonight. The Red Wings are 6-2-2 at Joe Louis Arena this year.

The club will honor recent Hall of Fame inductee Igor Larionov prior to tonight's game. A member of three Stanley Cup championship-winning teams (1997, '98, 2002), "The Professor" will participate in the ceremonial puck dropping before tonight's game.