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Vancouver Canucks at Florida Panthers – Game 42 Preview

Florida: 20-13-8 (48PTS)
Vancouver: 26-13-3 (55PTS)
Game Time: 7:30 PM EST
Television: Fox Sports Florida, SportsNet Pacific
Radio: 560 WQAM

Some old friends visit Sunrise tonight, though not all are playing. The Panthers and Canucks have been frequent trading partners for a long time, and the current Canucks feature a large number of former Cats including David Booth, Roberto Luongo, Keith Ballard, Chris Higgins and more. The Canucks are coming off of a vicious game in Boston on Saturday, which they won 4-3. The Panthers will have their hands full tonight. The Canucks are first in the Western Conference and one point behind the league leading Rangers. The Canucks are on a two game win streak and are 7-2-1 in their last ten, while the Panthers are 4-4-2 in their last ten and holding only a three point division lead to the Winnipeg Jets.

More from our Vancouver cohorts at Nucks Misconduct.
Canucks vs Panthers coverage at SB Nation.
SB Nation Preview.
LBC Game Thread will open 30 minutes prior to puck drop.

News and Notes

Last meeting

The Canucks beat the Panthers 2-1 in Vancouver early last season.

Last game

The Devils beat the Panthers 5-2 in New Jersey on Friday night. Two of the Devils goals were scored into empty nets.

Lineup

Jacob Markstrom tweaked his knee in practice and is out for tonight. Brian Foster has been called up from San Antonio to back up Scott Clemmensen tonight. Sean Bergenheim and Jack Skille are still skating outside of regular practice and Scottie Upshall is seeing a specialist and may be close to returning.

Injuries

  • F Scottie Upshall (hip), 11/10, 6 to 8 weeks
  • F Jack Skille (shoulder), 12/16, at least a week
  • F Sean Bergenheim (groin), unknown
  • F Marco Sturm (concussion), unknown
  • G Jose Theodore (lower body injury), two weeks
  • G Jacob Markstrom (knee), day to day

Probable Healthy Scratch

Starting goaltenders:

Scott Clemmensen will start for the Panthers. Cory Schneider started for the Canucks on Saturday in Boston. Luongo will likely get the start tonight.

Projected Lines

Forwards
  1. Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg
  2. Kopecky-Matthias-Repik
  3. Samuelsson-Goc-Bradley
  4. Barch-Madden-Santorelli
Defense
  1. Campbell-Garrison
  2. Jovanovski-Gudbranson/Ellerby
  3. Kulikov-Weaver

Talking Points