GAME OF THE WEEK

By HELENE ELLIOTT

March 2, 2004 12 AM PT

VANCOUVER at DETROIT, FRIDAY

They’re among the most prolific teams in the West and fun to watch because they match up well in skill, speed and ruggedness. Twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin have become more confident and assertive, giving the Canucks an extra dimension. The defense misses Ed Jovanovski, who has a separated shoulder, but the Canucks as a whole have plenty of muscle. The Red Wings have overcome a slow start and a goaltending controversy to rise to the top of the West. Their scoring depth is reflected in the fact nine players have scored the team’s last nine goals. Chris Chelios (bruised shoulder) probably will return in time for this game.

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Hockey

Helene Elliott

Helene Elliott was with the Los Angeles Times’ Sports department from 1989 to 2024, first as a staff writer and then, starting in 2006, as a columnist. She became the first female journalist to be honored with a plaque in the Hall of Fame of a major professional sport as the 2005 winner of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Elmer Ferguson Award, awarded to writers “who have brought honor to journalism and to hockey.” A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she has covered 18 Olympics.

GAME OF THE WEEK

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