Canucks goalie Eddie Lack is looking forward to his second NHL game between the pipes later today.

He'll put on the pads for this afternoon's match against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"I always look at the back-to-back's on the schedule knowing it's an opportunity for me to play," Lack told Canucks TV. "I'm excited to get out there tonight."

In his first game against the Calgary Flames on October 6, Lack turned aside 36 of 40 shots. The Canucks won 5-4 in overtime, thanks to the rookie netminder keeping them in the game through the first two periods.

Yesterday on the third game of a seven-game road trip, the Canucks lost a heartbreaker in Pittsburgh in the shootout.

Defenceman Kevin Bieksa recorded three assists, helping his team to a 3-3 tie by the end of regulation time. Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists for the Penguins.

One of the strangest moments of the game came at 13:49 of the first period when Alex Edler scored on a slap shot from the centre-ice area, giving his team a 1-0 lead.

Crosby and Chris Kunitz put the Penguins back in charge before Brad Richardson tied it for the Canucks at 12:44 of the second period.

Power forward Zack Kassian's elegant deflection gave the Canucks a 3-2 lead at 12:50 of the third period. But 22 seconds later, Pittsburgh defenceman Olli Maatta tied the match on a wrist shot.

Three Canucks—Mike Santorelli, Alex Edler, and Ryan Kesler—failed to score on the shootout. Pittsburgh's third shooter, Evgeni Malkin, beat Roberto Luongo.