Five points of interest ahead of puck-drop:

1. The Canucks earned a victory to start a road trip for the second time this season. The win in Minnesota not only snapped Vancouver out of 4 straight road losses, but it allowed them to keep pace in the Pacific Division, with the Kings, Ducks and Sharks all losing. They entered Thanksgiving break two points behind the Sharks and three behind the division leading Kings.

2. The win also let them enjoy some group activities following Thursday’s practice. The entire team took in the Cowboys loss to the Jaguars from AT&T Stadium. While some were there for the football and others joked they were keeping track of the cheerleaders, everyone left amazed at the stadium that is home for the Cowboys. Following football, a team cribbage tournament embarked and apparently Alex Burrows just missed taking home first place.

3. Radim Vrbata has proven to be an inspiration. The Canucks forward got on the board with two goals in Minnesota, convincing many he once again looked like the Radim of old. He has now has three goals in two games and back to back games with power play goals. This is not just good news for the Czech forward and the Canucks, but also for those struggling to break through slumping offensive play. Sven Baertschi, who will factor back into the lineup vs. Dallas, said he has taken a page from Vrbata’s book and intends to up the ante in the shot department. Baertschi has not recorded a single point through his last five games and has two goals on the season.

4. Tonight marks the the first of two meetings between the Canucks in Stars in the next four games. It also puts two of the league’s top scorers head-to-head. Daniel Sedin has 25 points and is on a six game point streak, recording 10 points over that time. Jamie Benn has 32 points and is on a six game point streak, recording 11 points over that time.

5. While the Stars picked up Antti Niemi to form a rotation with Kari Lehtonen, it was almost a sure thing that Dallas would add another goaltender to the mix, by the time game 82 rolled around. Due to Lehtonen’s injury, Jack Campbell will back-up tonight. Every season that Lehtonen has been in Dallas, the Stars have used at least three goaltenders per season’. Joining Lehtonen in the net, over that time are: Niemi/Campbell/Enroth/Lindback/Rynnas/Nilstorp/Thomas/Ellis/Bachman and Raycroft. After looking through their history, it appears the last two-goalie tandem to go from start to finish in a season were Marty Turco and Mike Smith in 2006-2007.

Game info: 530pm PST with @HockeyAbbs/@DTSN1040 TSN1040+Canucks Radio Network

TSN1040.ca

TSN Go Mobile App