Canucks look for way out of 2-0 hole

VANCOUVER— The Vancouver Canucks are looking for some much needed momentum as they fight to come back from a 2-0 openinground deficit against the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks went back to practice Saturday, searching for solutions after dropping their second straight 4-2 decision to the Kings a night earlier. For the first time in 42 years of NHL existence, the Canucks are down 2-0 starting a playoff series at home. Coach Alain Vigneault’s crew fin- ished first overall for the second consecutive season while the Kings squeaked into the eighth and final playoff position in the Western Conference. The series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Sunday and Game 4 on Tuesday, and there are no guarantees the Canucks will have another home game. The first-place finish will be all for nothing unless the Canucks can conquer the Kings at least once in the unfriendly confines of the Staples Center, known for soft ice and bad bounces.

“I wouldn’t say it’s the ideal situation,” Vigneault said after a subdued workout in which much of the usual banter was absent.

“The reality is, we’re down by two and we’ve gotta win (Sunday).”

Vancouver has clearly missed Daniel Sedin, who is recuperating from a concussion. He didn’t skate Saturday and didn’t travel to L.A. His twin brother Henrik has not been able to find much chemistry with others used in Daniel’s place on the power play.