Canucks battle the defending champs in Los Angeles

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LOS ANGELES, CA (NEWS1130) – The Vancouver Canucks face another tough test in the second leg of the California road trip. The Los Angeles Kings are the defending Stanley Cup champions, and have gone 6-1-1 at Staples Centre this season. (7pm, CBC)

Vancouver comes in at 10-4 overall, winners of two straight following a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. Los Angeles did suffer one of its two losses at home earlier in the week – a shootout loss at the hands of the New York Islanders.

Zack Kassian did not participate in the morning skate, nor did Brad Richardson. It’s unlikely Kassian will play, and Richardson will be a gametime decision.

Canucks head coach is anxious to get a look at Niklas Jensen – recalled yesterday from the Utica Comets.

“You always want to see where your young guys are at. You don’t know how they can contribute, or what kind of level they’re at. He’s a good young player. I like the way he can play. I like that he can bring some speed.”

The Kings may be forced to dress just five defensemen for tonight’s game. Robyn Regher may not play, and the Kings don’t have the room required in the salary cap to make a call-up. While the Kings are impressive overall at home, the team has won just once in it’s last six games.

Linden Vey returns to Los Angeles tonight. Vey played 18 games in a Kings uniform before being traded to the Canucks in the offseason.

“This is the one you look forward to. We have to focus on getting a win. They’re a good team, a team that plays really well at home, and it’s going to be a challenge tonight.”

While Vey only appeared in 18 games, he did get some guidance from Kings head coach Darryl Sutter.

“Right off the bat they focused me on playing a 200 foot game. I really evolved my game from junior. Here (LA), if you’re not a guy who can play in every situation, you’re not going to play a whole lot.”

Nick Bonino has been a great story as well, currently leading the team in goals with seven, but he’s very familiar with the Kings having faced them often as an Anaheim Duck.

“You can’t make a lot of mistakes. They sure don’t. They play an honest game, all four lines are tough to play against. You’ll see some highlight reel goals now and then, but most of the time they’re just getting it deep and grinding you all game.” Bonino said.

After tonight, the Canucks travel to Anaheim to take on Bonino’s former club Sunday night before returning home on Tuesday.

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