Canucks try to sweep the season series against the Rangers

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Canucks will face the Rangers this evening for the second time in eight days. Vancouver snapped a lengthy losing streak last week with a surprising win in New York. The team will try to replicate its success over one of the best teams in the NHL.

After a weekend win over Dallas, defenceman Erik Gudbranson says the team is feeling confident and will need a similar effort tonight.

“We have to come out with the same mentality. Our backs were up against the wall in New York and we knew that streak had to end. We have to have that same fire, that same drive to get these two points. It is going to be a tough night. They are a fast team that can score and they play very well through the neutral zone, so we are going to have to be responsible and ready to play tonight.”

There will be no lineup changes for the Canucks. Jake Virtanen will sit for a second straight game after returning from his weekend stint in the AHL. Coach Willie Desjardins says Virtanen will have to work his way back in.

“I think it was good for him to go down. I think he needed a chance to go down and play, get going and get some confidence back. When I watch him out there, it is not like he can’t play. He can play, he just has to get consistent.”

Troy Stecher remains on the blueline after scoring his first NHL goal on Sunday. The young defenceman says he has to keep shooting the puck.

“One of my strengths is getting pucks to the net and trying to create second opportunities for our forwards. So far I have been fortunate enough to get pucks to the net and I don’t see why I would change that.”

Jacob Markstrom gets the start in net for Vancouver. The Rangers will counter with Henrik Lundqvist.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. on Sportsnet.

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