Goal-shy Canucks relying on defence

GRANT KERR

Globe and Mail Update

December 18, 2007 at 12:21 AM EST

VANCOUVER — Playing defence for the Vancouver Canucks is more difficult than ever, because a mistake or two usually means a negative result at the end of the night.

The Canucks are averaging just 2.66 goals a game this NHL season, but this month they scored at a pokey 2.25 pace while playing eight games in eight cities in 14 days, including a one-game homestand on Dec. 8.

The fact Vancouver is still contending for first place in the Northwest Division, tied for the top spot with the Minnesota Wild after a 3-3-2 record in the past eight games, is a testament to six defencemen and, believe it or not, two goaltenders.

Usually durable Roberto Luongo has not played in goal because of a rib injury and was replaced with capable backup Curtis Sanford the past four games. Luongo is expected to return tonight to face the New Jersey Devils and Martin Brodeur at General Motors Place in a matchup of two of the best netminders in the game.

Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault was in a chipper mood after practice yesterday when Luongo returned to participate in an hour-long, on-ice session with teammates.

"Happy to be back," Vigneault said of Luongo at the end of his postpractice media session after starting with, "He's ready to go."

Luongo against Brodeur is prime-time viewing as the 2006 Olympic teammates resume a rivalry that began when Luongo was with both the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders.

Both are at the top of their games once again after slow starts to the regular season. Brodeur has a 2.26 goals-against average in 29 games, and Luongo sits at 2.12 in 26 starts. Luongo has four shutouts, two more than Brodeur.

All of which means goals should be hard to come by tonight, especially if the Canucks struggle offensively with injured forwards Brendan Morrison (wrist surgery), Brad Isbister (groin) and Jeff Cowan (shoulder) unavailable.

The Vancouver defence realizes that protecting Luongo from crease-crashing opponents is a must, especially with Luongo having just one full practice to test his sore ribs.

"He gives us a little lift," Canucks defenceman Willie Mitchell said of Luongo's anticipated return. "At the start of the year, we were a little bit loose in our system and we've ratcheted it down.

"We know we're going to win [most] tight games. We did that last year. We need timely goals [because] we've got a good goaltender.

"As a defence corps, we'd like to be two [goals against] or under [every game]. If we do make mistakes, we're fortunate to have the best back there [in Luongo]. All teams have their strengths and weaknesses. Ours is our defensive play."

Mitchell skated alongside rookie defender Alexander Edler in practice, while Sami Salo was with Mattias Ohlund. The other pairing featured Aaron Miller and Lukas Krajicek, with Mike Weaver in reserve.

Actually, Weaver skated on right wing with the Sedin brothers, Daniel and Henrik. Weaver filled in for captain Markus Naslund, who missed practice because of the flu after playing seven of the past eight games on the road.

Edler has been a key addition this season. The 21-year-old rookie from Sweden is plus-12 for goals scored at even strength while he's been on the ice in 26 games.

Mitchell and Morrison were teammates of Brodeur in New Jersey earlier in their careers. They respect the competitive natures of Brodeur, 35, and Luongo, 28, who both thrive on carrying the workload.

"Their desire is to want to be the best guy every night," Morrison said. "That's what makes them so good. These guys have that uncanny ability to let [goals against] go and just focus on what's going to happen next."

Who is the better goaltender, considering Brodeur has three Stanley Cup rings and been the Canadian starter at two Olympics?

"You've got to go with Louie now, but in the heydays, it's pretty close," Morrison said. "Marty is a better puckhandler, Louie a better one-shot handler."

Morrison won't get to shoot against his former Jersey teammate. He'll be out until at least March after surgery last week to repair a damaged tendon in his right wrist.

He has a cast extending from his hand to above the elbow. Morrison played 30 games and had eight goals and 20 points before it became obvious he couldn't handle defensive assignments. He injured the wrist in a preseason collision with Patrick Rissmiller of the San Jose Sharks.

Special to The Globe and Mail

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