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Canucks try to rebound with test in Columbus

Mon 1st, December 2008

(Sports Network) - The Vancouver Canucks will try to avoid a third straight loss when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets for tonight's battle at Nationwide Arena.

The Canucks had won four in a row before being swept in a home-and-home series with the rival Calgary Flames. Vancouver was handed a 4-3 setback Thursday night in the home portion and the Flames followed with a 3-1 decision Saturday at the Saddledome.

David Moss and Matthew Lombardi scored third-period goals to lift Calgary to Saturday's win. The Flames, along with Minnesota, have 29 points and are just one point behind Vancouver for first place in Northwest Division.

Kyle Wellwood got the only tally for the Canucks, while Cory Schneider allowed all three goals on 31 shots in his first career start.

The Canucks have played three games without franchise goaltender Roberto Luongo, who is considered week-to-week with a groin injury. Curtis Sanford started the first two and the rookie Schneider, who was recalled from Manitoba of the AHL last week, had a chance to prove himself on Saturday.

Vancouver is expected to return to Sanford as the starter in goal tonight.

Tonight's test marks the second stop on a season-long seven-game road trip for the Canucks, who are 7-5-1 as the visiting team this year. Vancouver had won three straight on the road before the recent setback to Calgary.

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, won for just the second time in six games with Saturday's shutout victory over visiting Washington.

Rick Nash scored twice and rookie netminder Steve Mason stopped all 26 shots he faced to record his second career shutout, as Columbus blanked the Capitals, 3-0, at Nationwide Arena.

Raffi Torres also tallied for Columbus, which went 6-4-3 in November.

Nash, who leads the Blue Jackets in goals (12) and points (21), had a strong month of November, recording points in 10 of 13 games. He finished the month with seven goals and eight assists.

Columbus is 6-5-1 as the host this year and had lost three in a row at Nationwide before beating the Caps on Saturday. After tonight, the Jackets will head out on a three-game road trip, which begins Thursday in San Jose.

The Blue Jackets beat the visiting Canucks, 4-2, in the first of four meetings between the clubs on October 21. Columbus has won three in a row and five of the last seven encounters with Vancouver.

The Canucks have been defeated in two straight and three of their last four trips to Ohio.