Dallas Stars (7-6-1) at Vancouver Canucks (8-2-2)
Friday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena
TV: Sportsnet Pacific; Radio: Team 1040
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Apparently Alain Vigneault’s coin doesn’t just pick goalies.
“I flipped AV’s coin out there on the ice and it said I was,” centre Ryan Kesler said Friday morning, referencing both his return to the lineup against the Dallas Stars (Rogers Arena, Sportsnet Pacific, TEAM 1040, 7 p.m.) and Vigneault’s trademark schtick for picking his starting goalie.
“It’s been a long road. It’s great to finally be here. It’s pretty exciting for myself.”
Kesler, a member of the Canucks’ core group for the past few seasons and their leader in ice time among forwards last year at 20:05 per game, underwent surgery on his left shoulder on May 8 and on his left wrist on June 27.
Asked what he was expecting from himself in his season debut, Kesler stuck with one of his new signature quotes: “Baby steps.”
Kesler, who has preached caution throughout his rehab, did say it with a smile at least.
“I’ve haven’t played in a while,” said Kesler. “I have to stay focused and not get down on myself. It’s another process, a continuous process. I have to transfer it into a game now.”
Vigneault admitted he “wasn’t quite sure” what to expect from Kesler.
“Obviously he’s worked extremely hard to get healthy and come ready to play,” said Vigneault, whose Canucks are 8-2-2 and are on a six-game win streak. “That said, he hasn’t played in nine to 10 months.”
Goaltender Cory Schneider added: “You have to measure the expectations. The guy hasn’t played a game in almost a year now. Just because he is so good, you’re not going to notice that as much, but it’s going to take him a few games to get to where he wants to be.”
Meanwhile, Schneider gets the call in the Vancouver net after Roberto Luongo started against Minnesota in a 2-1 win on Tuesday.
For his career, Schneider is 4-1-0 against Dallas, with a 1.41 goals against and a .960 save percentage.
“I’ve always viewed them as a really good team — skilled offensively, with mobile defencemen and great goaltending,” said Schneider. “I’m sure going to face a determined team tonight after their last game. We just have to stick with our game plan and not worry so much about what they’re trying to do.”
The Stars (7-6-1) are coming off a 7-4 loss in Calgary on Wednesday, a decision that ended a four-game win streak.
CANUCKS LINEUP:
Forwards
D.Sedin-H.Sedin-Burrows
Higgins-Kesler-Kassian
Raymond-Schroeder-Hansen
Volpatti-Lapierre-Weise
Defence
Hamhuis-Edler
Garrison-Bieksa
Ballard-Tanev
Goal: Schneider
STARS LINEUP:
Forwards
Morrow-Benn-Jagr
Smith-Roy-Eriksson
Roussel-Eakin-Ryder
Nystrom-Fidder-Garbutt
Defence
Robidas-Dillon
Goligoski-Larsen
Rome-Daley
Goal: Lehtonen
