The Canucks are coming off their most complete effort of the season. Rick Tocchet sees no need for Andrei Kuzmenko again.<\/p>\n
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. TV:<\/b> SN Pacific. Radio:<\/b>\u00a0Sportsnet 650<\/p>\n The buzz:\u00a0<\/b>Rick Tocchet is sticking with a winning lineup: he\u2019s keeping Andrei Kuzmenko as a healthy scratch.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the fourth time this season Kuzmenko has been sat because of a coach\u2019s decision. He was scratched a fifth time last month in Calgary after taking a puck to the chin in a game the night before.<\/p>\n Ahead of Tuesday\u2019s game in Nashville the Canucks\u2019 head coach said he felt the lineup with grinder Phil Di Giuseppe in and sniper Kuzmenko out would give his team its best chance to win. They did just that.<\/p>\n Obviously he still feels the same way two days later.<\/p>\n \u2022 Playing in Big D will always be a big deal for Thatcher Demko. The Canucks starter made a triumphant return in Dallas on Feb. 27 after missing 35 games with a groin injury. He responded with 34 saves in a 5-4 overtime decision. \u201cIt took everything I\u2019ve learned over my entire career \u2014 both mentally and physically \u2014 to kind of get ready for this one,\u201d he admitted. \u201cIt feels great getting the job done.\u201d<\/p>\n Demko faced four breakaways in the first period because the depleted Canucks\u2019 back end included three AHL regulars. In the second period, the Stars had four-consecutive power plays and a 20-3 shot advantage.<\/p>\n That success in Dallas started a streak of five wins in six to prove that Demko had regained his trademark composure. He had an early six-game win streak this season and has won his last four starts. Demko was the NHL\u2019s second star of the week (3-0-0, 1.33 goals-against average, .957 saves percentage, one shutout) and it\u2019s why he\u2019s worthy of Vezina Trophy consideration.<\/p>\n The history: <\/b>The Canucks won the first meeting with two second-period goals in a 2-0 decision Nov. 4 at Rogers Arena as Demko made 27 saves. Elias Pettersson had seven shots and nine attempts and scored to extend his points streak to five games with a run of 10 points (4-6). Pius Suter opened scoring.<\/p>\n The hope: <\/b>Quinn Hughes continues to be the straw that stirs the drink. He became the first blueliner to hit 40 points with two assists Tuesday in at 5-2 win at Nashville. His 32 helpers are just two shy of NHL leader Nathan MacKinnon.<\/p>\n And because Andrei Kuzmenko will be scratched for the fifth time this season \u2014 and for the second-consecutive game \u2014 it\u2019s a clear message they\u2019re better off tonight without him to wind up trip.<\/p>\n The fear: <\/b>An us-not-them mantra has propelled the Canucks into second overall in NHL standings. Hard to imagine they take the Stars lightly. They have one player in top 40 scoring \u2014 Joe Pavelski is 39th \u2014 but four have hit double-digit goals. The Stars are averaging 3.8 goals in their past 10 games (5-3-2).<\/p>\n The top guns: <\/b>The Canucks continue to impact the scoring race. J.T. Miller is third with 45 points (15-30) and has seven power-play goals. Pettersson and Hughes are tied for seventh with 41 points (13-28) and (9-32) respectively.<\/p>\n The wounded:<\/b> Canucks: Carson Soucy (foot, six to eight weeks, LTIR), Guillaume Brisebois (concussion, LTIR). Stars: Jake Oettinger (lower body), Jerad Rosburg (undisclosed).<\/p>\n The quote: <\/b>\u201cEach line did something and I just liked our overall game. Our leadership group was solid and really proud of our defensive game.\u201d \u2014 Rick Tocchet following Nashville win.<\/p>\n The lineup:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Mikheyev-Pettersson-Suter<\/p>\n Hoglander-Miller-Boeser<\/p>\n Joshua-Blueger-Garland<\/p>\n Di Giuseppe -Aman-Lafferty<\/p>\n Hughes-Hronek<\/p>\n Zadorov-Myers<\/p>\n Cole-Juulsen<\/p>\n Demko<\/p>\n The prediction:<\/b> Toughest test to conclude four-game road trip. The Stars are sixth in goals, 10th on the power play and have surrendered third-fewest goals. Canucks buckle down and prevail 3-2.<\/p>\n FAN FORUM:<\/b> Do you have a specific question for a player? Pass it along to @provincesports<\/a> and we\u2019ll get it in a future edition.)<\/p>\n bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Bookmark our website and support our journalism: <\/strong><\/em>Don\u2019t miss the news you need to know \u2014 add VancouverSun.com<\/a> and TheProvince.com<\/a> to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun<\/a> | The Province<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. 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