Canucks Enter Shark Tank to Face CLAUDE LEMIEUX & San Jose?

On Sunday evening the Canucks lost again on home ice, but this time they managed to salvage a point, as they were beaten in a shootout by the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-5.

Vancouver hopes that getting away from GM Place for a game just before the all-star break will help them shake the losing bug that they have seemed to catch at the most inopportune time. They probably wouldn’t mind a different opponent to shake the woes though.

Tuesday not only marks President elect Barak Obama’s inauguration day, but it could also mark the return of Claude Lemieux to the NHL. Earlier today the San Jose Sharks called up the 43 year old former playoff standout, in time for the battle against the Canucks tomorrow evening.

Lemieux has not played in the NHL since the 2002-2003 season. He has been playing for the Shark’s AHL affiliate in Worcester since San Jose signed him on December 29th. In 23 games in the minors, Lemieux has accumulated 11 points including three goals.

Once considered the NHL’s biggest pest, Lemieux has totaled 379 goals, 406 assists in 1,197 games with Dallas, Phoenix, New Jersey, Colorado and Montreal, where he began his illustrious career. He has won four Stanley Cups, two while in New Jersey and one each with the Avalanche and Canadiens.

The all-star break is around the corner and the Canucks hope to enjoy a few days off by ending the first half of the season on a winning note. A win…something that the club has not done since Mats Sundin’s debut on January 7. I don’t think it’s going to get any easier on Tuesday, as the Sharks have only lost one regulation game at home this season.