The Vancouver Canucks will have forward Ryan Kesler in the lineup tonight against the division-rival Calgary Flames.
Kesler didn’t practice with the Canucks in Calgary yesterday, but confirmed his absence was a result of a maintenance day and not one of a more serious note.
“Good oil change,” Kesler said. “Topped up the fluids. It was a good day, a good rest day for me.”
Roberto Luongo, who backed up Cory Schneider in Vancouver’s 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild Thursday, will get the call between the pipes.
He’s looking forward to extending the Canucks’ winning streak at the Scotiabank Saddledome to six. The last time Vancouver lost in Calgary was Oct. 16, 2009, outscoring the Flames 24-9 during the span.
“It’s a fun building to play in for us,” Luongo said. “It’s a good rivalry with these guys and they always make for some good games. There isn’t one specific element I can say but guys enjoy playing here and we like the atmosphere in this building.”
Kesler agreed.
“We prepare really well for these guys,” Kesler said. “We know it’s going to be a tough game, a battle. I think that’s why we’re so successful. We know it’s going to be a hard-nosed game.”
Here is the projected lineup for the Canucks:
Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Byron Bitz
David Booth – Ryan Kesler – Alexandre Burrows
Mason Raymond – Manny Malhotra – Jannik Hansen
Maxim Lapierre – Cody Hodgson – Mike Duco
Dan Hamhuis – Kevin Bieksa
Alexander Edler – Sami Salo
Andrew Alberts – Aaron Rome
Roberto Luongo
Cory Schneider
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Kesler OK to play for Cancuks
Saturday, 02.11.2012 / 2:51 PM
By Aaron Vickers - NHL.com Correspondent / At the Rink blog
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