Predators at Canucks
THE STORY: The Vancouver Canucks are riding the hot hand in goal - and for once, that hand doesn't belong to Roberto Luongo. The Canucks go with Cory Schneider in goal Thursday night as they host the Nashville Predators for the second time this season. Schneider has supplanted Luongo as the main man in Vancouver - at least for now - having strung together five consecutive victories while giving up just four goals in that span. He's 23-8-2 with three shutouts over the past two years with the Canucks, and may earn himself more playing time with a solid effort against the Predators. Nashville comes in having dropped a 1-0 decision to the Calgary Flames that left them 2-3-0 in five games in Western Canada so far this season. It's the second encounter between the teams since Vancouver eliminated Nashville in six games in the second round of last year's Stanley Cup final. The Canucks cruised to a 5-1 victory in their first showdown back on Oct. 20.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Tennessee, Rogers Sportsnet Vancouver
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (11-9-4): The same problem that has plagued Nashville for most of existence is becoming an issue yet again: the team isn't scoring enough goals. The Predators have just seven goals in their last five games - and unsurprisingly, they've gone 1-4-0 over that stretch. Rookie forward Craig Smith continues to lead the club with 17 points, but has just three in his last nine games and hasn't scored since Nov. 9.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (14-9-1): As sensational as Schneider has been, other Canucks players have helped contribute to the team's winning streak - none moreso than forward Ryan Kesler. After an ice-cold start to the regular season, Kesler has points in all five games during the streak, scoring three goals and adding four assists. He also isn't afraid to help in other ways - the defensive specialist had a season-high five blocked shots in a 5-0 win over Phoenix last Friday night.
OVERTIME:
1. Including playoffs, the road team has won seven of the last nine encounters.
2. The Sedins have combined for 67 points in 39 career games against Nashville.
3. Predators forward David Legwand opened the season with eight points in four games, but has just seven in 16 games since.