EDMONTON OILERS@ CANUCKS
THE MATCHUP
Even in a terrible season, the Canucks appeared to save their worst for last when they went to Alberta this week and lost 6-2 and 7-3 against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, teams that are as bad as Vancouver. At least the Canucks were generous guests, allowing the Oilers and Flames to win their final home games and reward their fans. In their last game at Rogers Arena, on Fan Appreciation Night, the Canucks hope the Oilers might reciprocate.
FUN FOR THE FANS
All Canucks players will be available outside the arena on Pat Quinn Way between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to meet fans and sign autographs. This will be followed from 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. by the Party on the Plaza on the north side of Rogers Arena, which will feature a barbecue and beer garden. Some members of the 1995-96 Canucks team will mingle with fans at the party. Pregame, player-of-the-year awards begin inside the arena at 6:45 p.m.
HOME BLUES
The Canucks’ outreach to fans seems especially worthwhile this season because the team has provided so few victories for those who buy tickets to see them play. Vancouver’s home record of 14-21-5 is the worst in the NHL and represents the secondpoorest home performance in franchise history — worse than all but the 1976-77 team, which went 13-21-6 but didn’t have the benefit of overtime and shootout bonus points.
ANOTHER RECALL
The Canucks, whose use of 35 different players this season trails only the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, recalled minor-league centre Mike Zalewski to play in the season finale. Zalewski, 23, impressed with his speed during a two-game Canucks cameo in January, and is another player who will be trying next fall to crack the bottom of the lineup.
THE HURT LOCKER- ROOM
The Canucks are expected to finish the season with eight players on the injured list: defencemen Alex Edler (leg), and Luca Sbisa (shoulder), centres Brandon Sutter ( jaw), Linden Vey (upper body) and Jared McCann (shoulder), and wingers Radim Vrbata (knee), Chris Higgins (lower body) and Sven Baertschi (lower body). Jacob Markstrom gets the final start in goal.