Music: {allcanada} PENGUINS (7-4-0) at CANUCKS (6-2-4)

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

{allcanada} PENGUINS (7-4-0) at CANUCKS (6-2-4)

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

10:00 PM ET

PENGUINS (7-4-0) at CANUCKS (6-2-4)

TV: ROOT, SN, SN1

Season series: The Vancouver Canucks shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins in two games last season, a 3-0 road win and 5-0 victory at home. Ryan Miller and Eddie Lack each won once, with Thomas Greiss in goal for the Penguins. Brad Richardson and Shawn Matthias led Vancouver with two goals and an assist each.

Penguins team scope: Forward Chris Kunitz missed practice Tuesday with an undisclosed ailment; he also did not skate with his teammates in Toronto on Sunday before Pittsburgh traveled Monday. Penguins coach Mike Johnston said Kunitz's status is uncertain. "It's a maintenance day," Johnston told the Penguins website. "That means he's a bit banged up. We're giving him a rest day. They decided to give him another one today. Right now there is no signal that he will either play or won't play for tomorrow." Daniel Sprong took Kunitz's spot on the third line with center Nick Bonino and left wing Beau Bennett. Although Johnston did not confirm, defenseman Adam Clendening could return against his former team. He alternated in line rushes with veteran Rob Scuderi alongside Olli Maatta. Clendening has been a healthy scratch for the past seven games.

Canucks team scope: Forward Brandon Sutter will play his former team for the first time since the July 26 trade for Bonino and Clendening. Sutter played 209 regular-season games and 33 Stanley Cup Playoff games for Pittsburgh. "I expect it to be a little weird," Sutter said. "It'll be nice seeing buddies in warmups, then I'll focus on the game." Forward Chris Higgins likely will make his season debut after missing the first 12 games with a fractured foot. Canucks coach Willie Desjardins termed the left wing as close, and Higgins declared himself ready. "I should be available," he told the Canucks website. "Enough of this extended summer. I'm excited to finally play." Miller (maintenance day), defenseman Luca Sbisa (lower body) and forward Brandon Prust (ankle) did not practice. Backup goalie Jacob Markstrom (hamstring) was back on the ice. Desjardins said Markstrom will travel to Buffalo on Thursday and begin a conditioning stint with Utica of the American Hockey League before he returns to the NHL.

Team Stats