The set-up: The Vancouver Canucks opened the season with a four-game homestand and went 4-0-0. However, that seems like light years ago now, as the Cancucks visit Tampa Bay tonight with an 11-13-2 mark, looking to break through against the 14-11-2 Lightning. The Lightning lost four in a row from Nov.2 5 through Dec. 1, the team's longest skid since the end of the 2013 lockout season, but have somewhat stopped the bleeding by picking up three points in back-to-backs against Washington (a 2-1 shootout win) and at Carolina (a 1-0 OT loss).

Vancouver: The Canucks are the third-lowest scoring team in the NHL, averaging 2.19 goals per game, have been shutout four times this season and been held to two-or-fewer goals 16 times in 26 games. Admittedly, a 3-8-1 road record does not inspire much confidence.

Tampa Bay: Head coach Jon Cooper took over at the end of the 2013 season and since then, the Lightning have been among the stingiest teams in the league, finishing fifth in goals against last season. Tampa's defensive mentality has returned these last two games, allowing just one goal in each contest.

The pick: The Canucks are back to playing hockey these days, as they are 5-2-1 in their previous eight contests. Goalie Ryan Miller is expected back in net tonight and he he is 20-10-0 all-time versus Tampa Bay. Goalie Ben Bishop of Tampa Bay has picked up his play in his last three outings, allowing one goal in each contest to raise his save percentage to .910. Expect a low-scoring game and the 1 1/2 goals figure to be YUGE in this contest. Vancouver is an 8* play.