Alex Burrows News

Henrik and Daniel Sedin had a hand in three first-period goals, and Roberto Luongo made 27 saves as the Vancouver Canucks beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Wednesday night.

After Montreal Alouettes fan Alex Burrows tossed the gauntlet down Tuesday - calling Saskatchewan native Darcy Hordichuk too cheap to bet on the Roughriders for the Grey Cup - the rebuttal came swiftly.

Vancouver Canucks winger Mason Raymond crashes into the end boards with San Jose Sharks defenceman Dan Boyle during first period NHL action at GM Place Stadium in Vancouver on Sunday.

While maybe not quite as riddled as the Edmonton Oilers with injuries and illnesses, the Vancouver Canucks have had their own troubles to contend with.

Henrik Sedin set up Vancouver's first goal and scored the go-ahead goal 3:54 into the third period, leading the Canucks to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

Winger Pavol Demitra is the only Vancouver Canucks player remaining on the injury list and he's swimming to rehabilitate a damaged shoulder.

The Vancouver Canucks are discovering close counts. Turns out, NHL games aren't all that different from darts, horseshoes and slow dancing.

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Antti Niemi blocks a shot from Vancouver Canucks Alex Burrows during the first period of NHL hockey in Vancouver, British Columbia November 22, 2009.

The man did it all. Christian Ehrhoff scored twice, he assisted, and he threw hits in a 5-2 win over Colorado Friday.

Vancouver Canucks Henrik Sedin celebrates scoring a first period goal over the Colorado Avalanche with team mates Christian Ehrhoff and Ryan Kesler in their NHL hockey game in Denver November 14, 2009.

WHAT HAPPENED: The Wings, who'd played on the road the night before, lacked jump at the start.

So here we are at the twenty game mark and it's time for some beefs, bouquets, surprises, and disappointments.

Henrik Sedin is congratulated after his first goal against the Avalanche on Saturday night in Colorado.

THE SETUP: Two of the Western Conference's perennial top teams are in an unfamiliar position - out of a playoff berth.

Andrew Raycroft offered a light-hearted summation of his call to duty Tuesday. "Don't get hurt," chuckled the Vancouver Canucks backup goaltender.

The only way to stop Alex Burrows and Ryan Kesler is with ear plugs. And even then, they'll probably find a way inside your head.

The surprise was supposed to be a Daniel Sedin sighting. Instead, it was a no-show by Roberto Luongo at Vancouver Canucks practice Sunday in Dallas that stole the show.

Canucks goalie Cory Schneider was on top of his game in a 2-1 loss for Vancouver, stopping 45 shots against the Dallas Stars.

The Vancouver Canucks expect to have goalie Roberto Luongo back in the crease sometime during their five-game road trip, which starts Thursday night in Minnesota.

Tough guy Darcy Hordichuk and newly signed Matt Pettinger each scored their first goals of the season, forming an unlikely pair to lead the short-handed Vancouver Canucks to a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.