Canucks snap Red Wings streak, shoot for top spot in NHL tonight

Fresh off putting an end to Detroit’s 23-game home ice win streak with a 4-3 shootout victory in Motown last night (February 23), the Vancouver Canucks have a chance to move into first place in the overall NHL standings with a victory tonight in New Jersey.

When Alex Burrows scored the shootout winner, the Canucks became the first team since Calgary on November 4 to win at Joe Louis Arena. The victory gives the Canucks a record of 39-16-6 and leaves them with 84 points on the season pulling them within a single point of the Red Wings in the race for top spot in the Western Conference and overall league standings. With the Wings idle tonight, the Canucks can leapfrog them in the standings if they can defeat the the Devils.

Last night, Daniel Sedin scored his second goal of the game with 16 seconds remaining in the third period tying the game at 3. After a scoreless overtime, Roberto Luongo stopped all three Wings shooters in the shootout setting the stage for Burrows to bag the winner. The victory was the Canucks’ league-leading 21st road win of the season. The team is 15-3-4 in its 22 games since the beginning of January.

Cory Schneider is expected to get the start in goal in New Jersey. The Canucks back-up has won his last six starts and 11 of his last 12 decisions.