Music: {allcanada} CANUCKS (17-7-1) at PENGUINS (17-5-2)

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

{allcanada} CANUCKS (17-7-1) at PENGUINS (17-5-2)

Wrapped In Red - Kelly Clarkson / Eloise: Little Miss Christmas

Thursday, December 4, 2014

7:00 PM ET

CANUCKS (17-7-1) at PENGUINS (17-5-2)

TV: SN360, ROOT

Season series: The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Vancouver Canucks in shootouts in their two games last season. Evgeni Malkin scored the only goal in the shootout in a 4-3 Penguins win in Pittsburgh on Oct. 19. On Jan. 7, Sidney Crosby scored with 54.3 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game and then scored the only goal of the shootout. Crosby had two goals and three assists in the two games. Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa had four assists in the two games. The last three games between the Penguins and Canucks have gone to the shootout. The Penguins have won four in a row against the Canucks; the last time Vancouver beat Pittsburgh was Jan. 16, 2010, in Vancouver. The last time the Canucks won in Pittsburgh was Nov. 22, 2008.

Canucks team scope: After scoring one power-play goal in five games and three in 10 games, the Canucks scored three times on four chances in their 4-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Daniel Sedin scored two of them and Radim Vrbata had one. "I think our power play has been good," captain Henrik Sedin, who assisted on both of his brother's power-play goals, told the Canucks website. "We haven't scored the way we've wanted to the last couple weeks. But we made a few changes, put Danny in the slot and [Vrbata] in front, and it opened up a lot of things for us. Put Danny in more of a position to score and he was able to score a few." The game will be a reunion for Penguins coach Mike Johnston and Canucks coach Willie Desjardins. They have been on opposite benches as coaches in the Western Hockey League and also have worked together with Hockey Canada. "Mike and I are real good friends," Desjardins said according to the Canucks website. "Mike was the best man at my wedding. We've always stayed in touch. We talk about lots of things. It's great to see him do so well in Pittsburgh. He's been a great fit for that team."

Penguins team scope: Forward Marcel Goc, who has missed the past two games with a lower-body bruise, practiced Wednesday and could play Thursday, Johnston told the Penguins website. "I felt I had a good day with the team and we'll see what the doctor says," Goc said, according to the Penguins website. Goc has one goal in 22 games but is tied for first among Penguins forwards with 16 blocked shots. Goc's return would somewhat offset the injury absences of forwards Chris Kunitz (foot) and Scott Wilson (leg). "You can't dwell on the fact that guys are out," Crosby told the Penguins website. "You need to make sure that you rally and find a way to win games. Some guys may have to accept more of a role or elevate their game. We're all in it together. So we've got to find a way to make sure we keep playing well."

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