Canucks aim to halt skid versus Capitals

The Canucks, who set franchise records with 105 points and 49 victories last season, have dropped two straight and four of their last five contests.

The Canucks' most recent setback came Wednesday evening in Detroit. Tomas Holmstrom scored twice to led the Red Wings past Vancouver, 3-2, at Joe Louis Arena.

Matt Cooke and Daniel Sedin both lit the lamp for Vancouver, while Roberto Luongo made 36 saves in a losing effort.

Tonight marks the end of a four-game road trip for the Canucks, who are 3-2-0 as the visiting team this year. After this evening's test Vancouver will return home for a two-game set at General Motors Place.

The Capitals, meanwhile, will try to put together consecutive victories tonight for the first time since winning three straight to begin the season. The team opened up the year 3-0, but then dropped its next four contests.

Washington ended the slide with a win over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. Chris Clark scored twice and the Capitals downed the Lightning, 5-3.

Alexander Ovechkin had a goal and two assists while Dave Steckel and Brooks Laich each scored a goal for the Capitals. Olaf Kolzig made 26 saves for Washington.

The Caps, who are 2-2-0 as the host club, are completing a four-game homestand tonight. Washington will begin a three-game road trip Saturday evening in St. Louis.

Vancouver has won four in a row and seven of the last nine meetings with the Capitals. The Canucks have also taken two straight and three of the last four meetings in Washington.

The Canucks haven't played in D.C. since defeating the Capitals on January 31, 2004.