The Vancouver Canucks are certainly hoping their Friday matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks is a preview of what is to come in the postseason. Once again, the Blackhawks are surging as one of the NHL's best teams along with the top team in the Western Conference. The Canucks are hoping to turn into one of those teams and it all starts with a win against a conference rivals.
Vancouver is coming off a length win streak. The team is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. They outscored opponents 24-8 during a seven-game win streak. However, they just fell to the Dallas Stars in their first regulation defeat this month. Meanwhile, Chicago is looking to win their sixth game in seven matchups. They would love to send their Western rivals their third-straight loss.
The Blackhawks have had two games of rest and will get the home crowd when it comes time to face the Canucks. After playing 19 games in 34 days, the rest was needed and the team is feeling healthy as the defending Stanley Cup champions. They lead the league with 55 points after putting together a 13-5-1 record in 19 games. Patrick Kane is putting together a strong year. He has five goals and 13 assists while being on a 10-game point streak.
The Canucks are once again struggling with goaltending. Roberto Luongo was putted in the game against the Stars in place of Eddie Lack who ended up stopping all seven shots the Stars put up against him. It is unknown which goalie will start against Chicago. Lack has need seen the Blackhawks before. Luongo is 2-1-1 with a 1.71 GAA in his career. Henrik Sedin will play a large part in the Vancouver offense with his three goals and 12 assists in 10 games against the team.
