> All aboard the pain train: Ballard & Bolduc will have some company with Rick Rypien out with the flu and now Hamhuis with an injured foot. Yes, the durable dynamic defensive duo are BOTH down and the season is barely a week old. Insert hysterical conspiracy theory here. In Hammer’s place will be Ryan Parent who certainly isn’t a model of durability either. Hammer has been a rock since joining Vancouver, playing the tough minutes and living on the PK. It’ll be a good test for Parent, but better still the entire defense because they’re hurting…again.

> Thank you sir, may I have another?: All the vexed forwards came though against Carolina. There was some doubt pushing Raymond up with the Twins, but it worked well enough to give the speedy winger his first two goals. Kesler, now saddled with two new linemates in Tambellini and Hansen, picked up a PP tally and third liner Samuelsson had his first of the year as well. Spreading the wealth worked against a tired team, but will it work against a NW rival? 

> Wash your damn hands: Almost everyone wearing a Wild uniform has the flu. If the game gets out of hand (zing!), all the men in green have to do is breathe on the Canucks and tomorrow night’s game in Chicago will feature a zombie Vancouver squad. Seriously – stay far away. No scrums either, all the better to not invite more penalties anyway.