Red Wings & Vancouver set for huge match at the Joe Wednesday

**Admin** Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:49 am

The Canucks open a four-game trip Wednesday against the Central Division-leading Detroit Red Wings, who are dealing with their own injury issues.

Forwards Pavel Datsyuk, who suffered a broken right wrist in the Dec. 22 matchup, and Johan Franzen each might miss a third straight contest with lower-body injuries.

Jiri Hudler, who scored the lone shootout goal in a 2-1 win at Vancouver on Jan. 8 that snapped the Canucks’ season-high eight-game winning streak, could be sidelined a fourth consecutive game with an upper-body injury. The same injury may also sideline former Canuck Todd Bertuzzi

The club, though, should have plenty of confidence heading into the final regular-season meeting at Joe Louis Arena. Vancouver, which lost 5-4 in overtime at Detroit on Dec. 22, is in position to win six straight road games for the first time since Dec. 26, 2006-Jan. 18, 2007.

The Red Wings (43-21-9), three points ahead of third-place San Jose in the Western Conference, are looking to avoid their third straight defeat after beginning a five-game homestand Monday with a 5-4 shootout loss to Pittsburgh.

PREGAME COMMENTS

DETROIT RED WINGS

Captain Nicklas Lidstrom

Forward Mike Modano

Forward Jiri Hudler

Forward Danny Cleary

Forward Darren Helm

Head coach Mike Babcock

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Forward Daniel Sedin

Forward Ryan Kesler

Forward Maxim Lapierre

Defenseman Kevin Bieksa

Head coach Alain Vigneault

VIDEO

Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo

Canucks forward Ryan Kelser - Part 1 & Part 2