The Vancouver Canucks will once again turn to their veteran netminder on Friday when they face the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Canucks announced on Thursday that Roberto Luongo will get the call over Cory Schneider in goal for the third straight game when they host the Blackhawks.
The 33-year-old made 24 saves in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, earning his first shutout and victory of the season.
"I really wanted to get in there and get a win for the guys," Luongo said after the game on Wednesday. "The guys did a great job of keeping most of the shots to the outside, enabling me to do my job much easier. There wasn't any second or third opportunities either."
He was also in net for Monday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
For the season, Luongo is 1-0-2 with a 1.61 GAA and a .938 save percentage.
Schneider has made four starts this season and has a 2-2 mark with a 3.13 GAA and .897 save percentage, he also has one shutout.
Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault said after Wednesday's game that having two starting calibre goaltenders is not something he considers to be a problem.
"I understand why this is an issue outside our dressing room," said Vigneault. "We've got two goaltenders that want to play 60 games in a 48-game schedule. I get it."
Canucks general manager Mike Gillis joined the Team 1040 in Vancouver on Thursday and when asked, did not rule out the possibility of trading Schneider or anyone else from his roster if it would improve the team, though nothing is in the works.
"Would I consider trading Cory Schneider or anyone else off our team? Would it make us a better team? Would it give us a better opportunity to win? I would look at trading anyone on this team, but Cory's a great young player for us and it isn't something that I've been thinking about, have thought of, or considered," said Gillis.
