Sunday's key NHL matchup notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vancouver Canucks at Columbus Blue Jackets
Friday marked the first time since the season opener that both Daniel and Henrik Sedin failed to register a point in the same game. The two have combined for five goals and 11 assists this season.
Vancouver had won four straight against Columbus before going 0-1-1 in the final two meetings last season.
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild
Backup Jose Theodore has allowed four goals in each of his road games this season, but he's 2-1-1 with one shutout and a 1.41 GAA in four career games against the Wild.
Minnesota's Niklas Backstrom, meanwhile, continues to establish himself as one of the top netminders in the NHL. He's 4-0-1 with a 1.38 GAA this season, including 3-0-0 with a 0.67 GAA at home. In four career games against Colorado, he's 3-0-1 with a 2.16 GAA
All four of these teams' games at the Xcel Energy Center last season were decided after regulation. Minnesota won twice in overtime and Colorado won twice in shootouts.
Overall, the Avalanche had a 4-2-2 advantage in the season series.
Rangers' Straka breaks finger blocking shot
October 20, 2007
BOSTON (AP) -Rangers center Martin Straka broke a finger on his right hand blocking Zdeno Chara's slap shot in the first period of New York's game against the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
Straka has two goals and an assist this season after finishing with 29 goals and 41 assists last season.