February 20, 2013 11:47 pm 
Vancouver Canucks at Dallas Stars
Thursday February 21
7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio: KTCK-1310 (AM)
About the Stars
The Stars haven’t played since Sunday, when they couldn’t hold a 3-1 lead and lost 4-3 to the Calgary Flames at American Airlines Center.
This will be their second game against the Canucks in less than a week. The Stars rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Canucks in Vancouver on Friday.
“We know what type of game we are in for,” said Stars forward Eric Nystrom. “They have good speed, they move the puck well and they battle hard. We know we have to be prepared for them but, at the same time, every game is different. We know they’re going to be ready, and we’re going to be ready. It’s going to be a great hockey game.”
Cristopher Nilstorp will get the start in goal for the Stars on Thursday.
Injuries: D Trevor Daley (neck), G Kari Lehtonen (groin) and LW Ray Whitney (foot) are out.
About the Canucks
The Canucks (8-3-4) are coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to Chicago Tuesday night. The Canucks trailed 3-1 after two periods, but scored two late goals to force overtime.
“We knew to beat these guys on home ice we’d have to play 60 minutes and we almost beat them playing maybe 40,” said Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa. “It shows that if we put together a full game, we are going to be a dangerous team. That’s mental toughness in my mind.”
The Canucks are winless in their last three games (0-1-2).
The Canucks will be without RW Jannik Hansen for Thursday’s game. He was suspended one game for roughing Chicago’s Marian Hossa on Tuesday.
Cory Schneider will get the start in goal for the Canucks Thursday.
Injuries: RW Jannik Hansen (suspended) is out. C Manny Malhotra (eye) is out for the season.
Series Notes
*This is the second of three meetings between the two teams.
*February 15, at Vancouver: Stars 4, Canucks 3
Statistical tidbits
*The Stars are 5-2-0 in their last seven games and have been averaging 3.43 goals per game during that stretch.
*After allowing two goals or fewer in 10 of their first 12 games, the Canucks have allowed three or more in three straight.
*After being outshot in each of the first eleven games, the Stars have outshot their opposition in four of the last five.
*The Canucks have scored on the power play in five of their last six games and are 6-23 (26.1%) on the PP during that stretch.
*Stars center Derek Roy has 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 7 games since returning from a groin injury.
*Canucks center Henrik Sedin has 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists) in his last 3 games.
*Canucks left wing Daniel Sedin has 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in his last 3 games.
Statistical matchup
| Category | Stars | Canucks |
| Record | 8-7-1 | 8-3-4 |
| Home | 3-2-1 | 5-2-2 |
| Away | 5-5-0 | 3-1-2 |
| Last 5 | 3-2-0 | 2-1-2 |
| Last 10 | 6-4-0 | 6-1-3 |
| Streak | Lost 1 | Winless 3 (0-1-2) |
| Goals/game | 2.50 (21st) | 2.80 (10th) |
| Goals against/game | 2.69 (17th) | 2.20 (6th) |
| Power play | 18.4 (19th) | 19.1 (10th) |
| Penalty kill | 83.3 (12th) | 80.3 (21st) |
| Shots/game | 26.5 (28th) | 28.9 (15th) |
| Shots against/game | 31.3 (25th) | 28.9 (16th) |
| Faceoffs | 48.0 (25th) | 49.5 (20th) |
| Team Leaders | Stars | Canucks |
| Goals | Benn, Eriksson, Jagr, Ryder: 4 | D. Sedin, Raymond, Kassian: 5 |
| Assists: | Roy: 8 | H. Sedin: 13 |
| Points: | Jagr: 11 | D: Sedin: 16 |
| Goaltenders | Lehtonen: 7-2-1, 2.12, .934 Bachman: 1-3-0, 3.95, .857 Nilstorp, 0-2-0, 2.70, .918 |
Luongo: 4-0-3, 1.63, .934 Schneider; 4-3-1, 2.64, .915 |
Comments are closed.