Canucks hope to cool Luongo and the red-hot Panthers

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Last week, the Canucks faced off against former teammate Eddie Lack and tonight another goalie of Vancouver’s past rolls in to Rogers Arena. Roberto Luongo and the Florida Panthers hope to pounce on the Canucks and extend their franchise record winning streak to 13-games.

Luongo will get the start in net and Alex Burrows says it will be fun to face his friend.

“He is a competitor. He is going to battle every game and he wants to win as much as anyone else I know. I know he is a big influence in Florida.”

The Canucks are wrapping up a seven game home stand and Bo Horvat says it will take a team effort to stop the Panthers string of victories.

“Their willingness to win games is big. It seems even if they get outshot or outplayed it seems like they find a way. Whether it is scoring big goals or getting big saves, I don’t know how they are doing it, but obviously they are playing pretty well. They have a pretty good team and we have to find a way to match that and end the streak tonight.”

While it is a return for Luongo, it will be a debut for recently acquired Emerson Etem. The forward was picked up from the Rangers last week and says he is looking forward to proving he belongs on the roster.

“I need to come in here and show what I can do. Coach Willie Desjardins is giving me an opportunity but I can’t be complacent because of that. I need to show this organization and the guys in the locker room that I am a hard worker and I like to get on the forecheck and create a spark for this team.”

Jacob Markstrom will get the start in net for the eighth consecutive game. Adam Cracknell will be a healthy scratch.

In their only previous meeting this season, the Canucks lost to the Panthers in a shootout on December 20th. Ryan Miller was injured in the extra session of that game and hasn’t played since.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. on you can watch the game on Sportsnet.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today