Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Vancouver Canucks wingers Mason Raymond and Dale Weise will return to the lineup tonight against the Calgary Flames after missing the past two and six games respectively with shoulder injuries.

Raymond and Weise will replace Nicklas Jensen, who was assigned to the Chicago Wolves on Friday, and Steve Pinizzotto in the lineup.

Projected Lines

Sedin – Sedin – Burrows
Higgins – Roy – Hansen
Raymond – Ebbett – Kassian
Sestito – Lapierre – Weise.

Edler – Bieksa
Hamhuis – Garrison
Barker – Tanev

Schneider
Luongo

(Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

Vancouver Canucks continue to surge up the Western Conference standings with another solid performance in front of the home crowd at the Roger’s Arena against the Calgary Flames.

The game started with fast paced action from both clubs. Mason Raymond caught an errand puck in the face and had to go to the dressing room for repairs, but returned later in the period.

Flames forward Lee Stempniak opened scoring at 18:18 of the first period. He beat Corey Schneider with a wrist shot, assisted by Matt Stajan and Blake Comeau. Flames goalie Leland Irving played excellent in the first to give the Flames a 1-0 lead at the end of the period.

The first part of the second period was dominated by the Flames even while on he penalty kill. That was until Alexandre Burrows scored with a wrist shot set up by both Henrik and Daniel Sedin at 8:34 of the second. Only seconds later at 9:01 Jordan Schroeder posted his first NHL goal set up by Alexander Edler and Burrows. Schroeder tipped a shot from the point neatly between the legs of Irving to give the Canucks their first lead of the game. Kevin Bieksa‘s slapshot from the point gave the Canucks a 3-1 lead and Bieksa his second goal of the year, assisted by the Sedin twins.

The third started with an early tally by Chris Higgins assisted by Maxim Lapierre and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks looked in mid-season form outplaying the Flames for the rest of the game. To make the night even more memorable for the rookie Schroeder, he added a second goal at 15:41 of the third to seal the deal at 5-1.

Both goalies did play well—33 stops for Schneider and 26 for Irving. The Canucks were just a much better team on this night. The two goalies for Vancouver are making their coach and his coin tossing ability look good. The Canucks have now won 5 straight games they now await the Minnesota Wild coming to town on Tuesday night. Will the Wild avenge their loss to these same Canucks who beat them 4-1 last Thursday night? Which mask will Alain Vigneault’s coin land on this time with the trouble Roberto Luongo has had with the Wild in the past?

(Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Vancouver Canucks left winger Mason Raymond has signed a 11-game contract with Örebro HK of HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-highest level of play in Sweden.

It was reported earlier this month that Raymond’s agent, J.P. Barry, had been fielding calls from interested in European clubs, but Raymond had not made decision about playing overseas. Örebro were one of the clubs that expressed interest.

Raymond will make his debut on January 3, 2013 against Mora IK and he is expected to play alongside former NHLer Jared Aulin. The last game of his contract will be February 2 against Almtuna IS at the earliest.

Interestingly, the last batch of NHL games cancelled were up to January 14 and it is widely assumed the league and its Players’ Association will hammer out a deal in the next week or so to save the 2013 season. Gary Bettman has said at minimum a 48-game schedule must be played and when that is not possible, the season will be cancelled. Any cancellations beyond the 14th would make it difficult for a 48-game season.