
(18-12-3)
@

(17-12-4)
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
7:00 PM PST, 10:00 EST
TV: Sportsnet Pacific
For the first time since Roberto Luongo joined the Vancouver Canucks, he will face the NHL's incumbent Vézina Trophy winner in Martin Brodeur
Storylines:
- As mentioned,
Martin Brodeur faces
Roberto Luongo for the first time since the Canucks acquired the latter. Luongo hasn't played Since Dec. 8, but
declared himself ready for tonight's game. It remains to be seen how he handles the off-time.
- Brodeur, for his part, is on a tear, going 11-1-1 (1.68 GAA, 2 SO) in his last 13 starts. His totals are more modest all-time against the Canucks, though, at 6-8-0 (2.59 GAA, .891 SV%). Luongo's career as an Islander/Panther against the Devils is a rougher 4-13-0 (3.24 GAA, .907 SV%)
- the Devils haven't visited Vancouver since the waning days of 2001. Los Diablos actually haven't won a game in Vancouver since the
Garth Snow days, in March 1999!
-
Zach Parise is the Devils' leading scorer at 15-20-35. His multiples-of-5 scoring are countered with
Henrik Sedin's multiples-of-6 scoring at 6-24-30.
- despite Luongo's return, the Canucks are, of course, without
Brendan Morrison and
Kevin Bieksa indefinitely, as well as
Jeff Cowan (and I assume still
Brad Isbister?). For New Jersey, I believe
Cam Janssen is the only unhealthy scratch.
- interesting factoid: in his career,
Markus Näslund has never scored a goal against the Devils. Though a number of the games would have come from his Pittsburgh days, in 17 games he has a paltry 0-5-5. To put things in perspective, Brad Isbister has 4-6-10 in 21 games. Or, for yet more perspective,
Brian Gionta has 3 goals in 4 games against the Canucks,
Patrik Elias 7 goals in 10 games.