Canucks host Jackets, seek first win
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BLUE JACKETS (1-0-0) at CANUCKS (0-2-0)
Season series: First of four meetings this season; Columbus won three of the four meetings between teams that made the playoffs last season, including a wild 6-5 shootout victory on Jan. 18. Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash and Kevin Bieksa of the Canucks led the series with three goals apiece.
Big Story: While the Jackets hit the road fresh off a season-opening win against
Team Scope:
Blue Jackets:
"It was a big effort by everybody on the ice," Klesla said. "The whole game everybody put in everything they had. It was a really tough game. It was a great victory for us to get things going."
Canucks: For a team that won the Northwest Division last season and has unfinished business after a second-round playoff ouster by
"Right now we've got one line that’s generating in my mind offensively and that’s [the Sedin] line, they had great opportunities, lots of shots," coach Alain Vigneault said. "The other three lines right now aren’t doing enough in my mind to be successful."
Who's Hot: Mason picked up right where he left off and stymied
Injury Report: Forward Pavol Demitra and defenseman Mathieu Schneider started the season on injured reserve for the Canucks, while forward Jannik Hansen is out after undergoing surgery to repair three broken fingers suffered in a preseason fight. The Jackets are without forward Fredrik Modin long term due to a sprained MCL in his right knee. Defenseman Mike Commodore is also out with a groin pull.
Stat Pack: After finishing at the bottom of the League in power-play goals and percentage last season, the Jackets were 0-for-3 against the Wild in their opener, though they did open the scoring on a shorthanded tally by R.J. Umberger.
Puck Drop: It's going to be a festive atmosphere at General Motors Place regardless of the Canucks' slow start -- after all, you only get one home opener a season. However, once the puck drops it will be all business, and the fans could turn quickly if
-- Brian Hunter, NHL.com