Canucks open round two of the NHL playoffs tonight

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Canucks host Nashville tonight at 6 p.m. at Rogers Arena in game one of their Western Conference semi-final series. In four games during the regular season, each team won two games.

Many are predicting a low-scoring series, as Roberto Luongo of the Canucks and Nashville’s Pekka Rinne are two of the three goalies nominated for the NHL’s top goalie award, the Vezina Trophy. In twelve periods of play during the regular season the teams combined for 14 goals. Neither team scored a goal in the first period of any game in the season series.

Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis spent the first half dozen years of his NHL career in Nashville. He has yet to have a homecoming in Tennessee, because he missed both games in Music City USA, due to concussions.

Predators defenceman Shane O’Brien spent a couple of seasons with the Canucks, while fellow blue liners Cody Franson and Jonathon Blum spent their junior hockey careers with the Vancouver Giants.

NHL scoring leader Daniel Sedin was the Canucks’ leading scorer in the opening round with five goals and seven points.

Mike Fisher led Nashville with three goals and three assists in round one. He was acquired in January from Ottawa. His wife is country music superstar Carrie Underwood.

Bruising right winger Jordin Tootoo had a goal and four assists. Tootoo has bounced back late in the season, after volunteering himself into the in-patient care program through the NHL-NHLPA substance abuse and behavioural health program at the end of December.

The Canucks are coming off an emotional seven game series with Chicago. Nashville finished fifth in the Western Conference and eliminated Anaheim in six games. The series victory was the first in the dozen year history of the Nashville Predators.

News1130 will have Canucks updates every 10 minutes on the fives once the puck drops tonight, and will break in whenever the Canucks score. You can also get up to the minute updates on Twitter @News1130Sports.