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Thursday, 06 October 2011 10:00

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

A preview of the Canucks.

When and where: 10 p.m., EDT; Rogers Arena.

TV: Versus, CBC.

2010-11 Record: 54-19-9, 117 points. The Canucks had the best overall record in the NHL last season.

2010-11 Leading Scorer: Daniel Sedin (right), 104 points (41 goals, 63 assists).

Last Game: 4-0 home loss to the Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, June 15. Roberto Luongo made 17 saves for the Canucks.

Last Game against the Penguins: 3-1 road loss, Nov. 17, 2010. Maxime Talbot had a goal and an assist for the Penguins.

Canucks Player We Would Bet Money On Scoring: Dan Hamhuis. The would-be Penguins defenseman scored Vancouver's lone goal in the Nov. 17 meeting. Additionally, he has seven points in seven career games against the Penguins.

Ex-Penguins on the Canucks: Nolan Baumgartner, D; Mikael Samuelsson, RW.

Ex-Canucks on the Penguins: Matt Cooke, LW; Richard Park, RW.

Useless Canucks Trivia Vaguely Related to the Penguins: Cooke is one of two one-time Penguins who have worn No. 24 for the Canucks. The other was Jiri Slegr.

Best Canucks Video We Could Find: Alex Burrow's series-clinching overtime goal against the Blackhawks in Game 7 of last season's Western Conference quarterfinal series:

Probable goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury (36-20-5, 2.32 GAA, .918 SV% in 2010-11) for the Penguins and Roberto Luongo (38-15-7, 2.11 GAA, .928 SV% in 2010-11) for the Canucks

Injuries: For the Penguins, defenseman Brook Orpik (abdominal) is questionable. Defenseman Roberto Bortuzzo (knee), Boris Valabik (knee), center Sidney Crosby (concussion), left winger Dustin Jeffrey (knee) and right winger Nick Petersen (concussion) are on injured reserve. For the Canucks, defenseman Nolan Baumgartner (foot), right winger Byron Bitz (hip), center Ryan Kesler (hip), right winger Steven Pinizzotto (shoulder), left winger Mason Raymond (back) and defenseman Aaron Rome (finger) are on injured reserve.

Potential lines and defensive pairings: The Penguins' primary lines and defensive pairings in practice yesterday were: (PG+)

-The Canucks listed lines and defensive pairings are:

Alex Burrows - Henrik Sedin - Daniel Sedin
Mikael Samuelsson - Cody Hodgson - Marco Sturm
Chris Higgins - Manny Malhotra - Jannik Hansen
Aaron Volpatti - Maxim Lapierre - Dale Weise

Dan Hamhuis - Kevin Bieksa
Sami Salo - Alex Edler
Keith Ballard - Chris Tanev

Notes:

-"First three years in league pretty good, but last two years not so good and I want to get back.” - Malkin.

-Cooke gets to show off the changes he made to his game starting tonight.

-Letang has appeared in 299 career games.

-Staal has 198 career points.

-Kunitz has 98 career points with the Penguins.

-Dupuis has 147 career assists.

-The last time the Penguins visited Vancouver, Alexander Pechurskiy was introduced to the world:

-With Kesler dinged up, Burrows gets a chance to be the Canucks' net-front presence on the power play.

-"I'm more comfortable after one practice than four years in New York." - Weise on joining the Canucks after being claimed off waivers from the Rangers.

-Kesler looks better than you do naked.

-Our live blog begins at approximately 10 p.m. Grab some coffee and please tune in.

(Photos: Harry How/Getty Images)

Comments (4)

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written by GenoSid, October 06, 2011 - 11:46 AM

About the Canucks?

They are a bunch of skilled, but soft, whining, diving, biting ****ies.

That's the best Canucks video you could find?

How about them crying on the ice after the Bruins beat them so soundly to win the Stanley Cup at their building?

I have never disliked any one team in any sport more than 2010-2011 Canucks.

Not coincidentally, the 2010-2011 Bruins are (and most likely will remain) my favorite non Pens Cup winners of all time.

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written by eman41, October 06, 2011 - 05:15 PM

While I don't share your deep-seeded hatred for the Canuchs, the Bruins...ugh. Saved by Angels in the Goal Crease

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written by Boom Shaka, October 06, 2011 - 05:28 PM

Yet another sign that hockey's back. It's been waaaayyyy too long.

I find the Canucks fanbase more annoying than the team (with only Philthy and the Craps having a more annoying fanbase).

Let's Go Pens!

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written by Luiz Mello, October 06, 2011 - 06:08 PM

Penguins season is ON! It was about time.

Live blog here later tonight: check.

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