CANUCKS’ GAME DAY

TV: Sportsnet Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650, 7 p.m.

THE BIG MATCHUP

Daniel Sedin versus The Question Daniel Sedin is riding a five-game goal streak — the fourth of his career — and has eight goals in his last eight outings. That’s no typo. After an embarrassing 15 goals last season, the winger has 21 and is on pace for 26. Does that add up to retirement? Daniel is a power-play presence with eight goals and, along with Henrik who has a team-high 41 assists, the twins have turned back the clock and turned their playing futures into a red-hot topic.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

1.

Another Edler appreciation night Anders Lee has 31 goals and John Tavares 30. That means Alex Edler and Erik Gudbranson will draw the shutdown assignment and it accents what Edler accomplished Friday in passing Mattias Ohlund for franchise points by a defender (324). Edler now has 326 over his career and this season leads club blue-liners in points (26), ice time (23:41), shots (127), shot blocks (147) and is second in hits (122). He has five points in his last seven games.

2.

Jokinen skates with Sedins

Two ways to get the message to young players: Keep playing them or sit them. Judging by practice Sunday, it looks like Nikolay Goldobin will sit and 34-year-old UFA Jussi Jokinen — playing for his fourth team this season — will line up with the Sedins. “You can tell he’s all business,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “He wants to do well and compete and that’s what you want out of your older players this time of year. We need a lot from our older guys — we need them to lead the way.”

3.

High risk, high reward costs Isles

The Islanders are fun to watch. You don’t want to get into a track meet with this skilled bunch, but they’re slicing their own wrists in pursuit of the playoffs. They rank third in even-strength scoring (146 goals), are eighth in goals per game (3.18) and own the 12th-ranked power play (20.7). But they’re also giving up the most goals per outing (3.56) and the penalty kill is 30th (74.5 per cent).

4.

Injuries raise competitive bar Sven Baertschi has a shoulder separation. Loui Eriksson has a fractured rib. The wingers are done for the season and now it’s what can be done to get a roster read on next fall. Newcomer Brendan Leipsic has shown initial speed, playmaking and chemistry with Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser. Tyler Motte has been good on the forecheck and good in a penalty kill pairing with Horvat.

5.

Virtanen poses problems

Jake Virtanen is a big, speedy, hardhitting, net-driving right-winger, who’s a load to handle when he drives the net. He’s also good down the left side. On Friday, he blew past Ryan Hartman and forced the winger to take a holding minor.