Home » NHL » Canucks » Canucks to Use Same Lineup Against Sharks

Raymond celebrates his goal on Friday (Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

The Vancouver Canucks are not expected to make any changes to their lineup when they take on the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night following a 5-0 shellacking of the Anaheim Ducks.

Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault told the media following Saturday’s practice it was “likely” no changes will be made.

AV: With our performance last night, we’ll likely stay with the same lineup against San Jose.

— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) January 26, 2013

This means veteran centre Manny Malhotra will sit out the game as a healthy scratch and Andrew Ebbett will play right wing on the fourth line if Maxim Lapierre is fit to play. Malhotra did not play on Friday and was in Vancouver to be with his wife and newborn son. He rejoined the team on Saturday in San Jose.

Lapierre missed his second practice in three days as he battles a strained groin. He missed practice last Thursday as well, but was able to play Friday against the Ducks.

AV: Lapierre has been given the day off. Will skate tomorrow morning and see how he feels.

— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) January 26, 2013

One player to keep an eye on Sunday is Sharks left winger Patrick Marleau, who has a league-leading eight goals. He is the first player in 95 years to start a season with four consecutive multi-goal games. The only other player to accomplish this feat was Cy Denneny, who did it in 1917-18 with the original Ottawa Senators.

Sunday will be goaltender Cory Schneider‘s third consecutive start, but with the team playing three games in four nights, expect Roberto Luongo to start on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings.