WILD		CANUCKS
	AT

A couple weeks ago, this matchup was being billed as the battle for top spot in the Northwest. On December 19, the Canucks pounded Minnesota into the ground with a 4-0 win, but the Wild still had a fairly good lead over Vancouver for the division lead. Well since that game, the

Wild have a 1-4-1 record. The Canucks have a 4-2-1 record since that game and now lead the NW by 3 points over Minny. So, this still is a crucial Northwest Division matchup, unless you are smug and preening and throwing in the towel for the Wild because they don't have a bloody chance to beat the Canucks for the NW crown let alone even get a playoff spot. Many doom them. I won't.

The Wild will be motivated make no mistake. And they will be getting some help up front as Devin Setoguchi and Casey Wellman are ready to return to the line up. Setoguchi has resurrected his career somewhat this season with 8 goals and 13 points in 28 games. Wellman has 2 goals and 4 points in 7 games for the Wild this season.

Soon enough we will see how the Canucks' give a shit meters are working. Are they looking ahead to Boston on Saturday? Is another egg gonna get laid? Or are they gonna beat the Wild and take a 5 point lead over them for the NW lead? Boston ain't til Saturday boys. Beat these Minny clowns!

PROJECTED ROSTERS

Chris The Professor Higgins - KesLORD - Jannik Beaker Hansen

MayRay - Cody Chinook Hodgson - Ebbett

Money Mo Malhotra - Lappy Lapierre - Dale Weiser

Dan The Hammer Hamhuis - Kevin Juice Bieksa

Alex E-Money Edler - Sami Salo The Undead

Andrew A-Train Alberts - Keith Hips Ballard

Bouchard - Cullen - Clutterbuck

Johnson - Brodziak - Wellman

Gillies - Peters - Powe/Ortmeyer/

Schultz - Scandella

Prosser - Falk

Zidlicky - Zanon

INJURIES

For both teams via CBSSPORTS.COM.

TRENDS

• Wild are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Northwest.
• Wild are 1-6 in their last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
• Wild are 1-7 in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
• Wild are 1-9 in their last 10 overall.
• Wild are 0-7 in their last 7 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
• Wild are 0-5 in their last 5 road games.
• Canucks are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Canucks are 40-14 in their last 54 vs. Northwest.
• Canucks are 15-6 in their last 21 overall.
• Canucks are 13-6 in their last 19 games playing on 1 days rest.
• Canucks are 15-7 in their last 22 Wednesday games.
• More at Covers.com

QUOTE

"He can’t get anybody’s name right. It’s almost flattering in a weird kind of way"

Roberto Luongo on Don Cherry, who always calls him "Lalongo".

VIDEO

The Canucks kill the Wild on December 19:

Now if only Backstrom would do this in real life:

"Head" back to the mid-80's for the inspiration for the post title:

GO CANUCKS GO!