The Vancouver Canucks are in a pretty miserable spot right now. They’re outside the playoffs, desperately in need of a rebuild that may never come, in need of a goaltender like Cory Schneider or Roberto Luongo, and helmed by a GM (and owners?) in denial of the situation. Vancouver is 21-19-6, and they are not going to make the playoffs. They are also two points ahead of the Stars.
Dallas is 3-6-1 in their last 10 games, or 1-3-0 in their last four, if you prefer recent history. This is not a team pushing to make a case for a playoff spot.