VANCOUVER — After nine days between games, Roberto Luongo will return to the Vancouver Canuck nets Thursday night when his team faces the first overall Detroit Red Wings at Rogers Arena (7 p.m., Sportsnet Pacific, Team 1040).

Luongo was in a ball cap Tuesday when backup Cory Schneider turned in a sublime 37-save performance against the Chicago Blackhawks. Prior to that, the Canucks were off for five days during their all-star break. Luongo beat the Wings 4-2 on Dec. 21, stopping 38 of 40 shots.

“They have world-class players,” Luongo said, describing the Red Wings lineup. “They're very well-coached, they know what it takes to win and they're very disciplined. If we want to have a chance to win, we have to play our game plan to a 'T' and not give those guys any free passes.”

This will be the third of four meetings between the teams. Detroit prevailed at home, 2-0, on Oct. 13.

“It's two of the best teams in the league going at it,” Luongo continued, “There is always a lot on intensity and a playoff atmosphere. Those are fun games to be playing in and I don't expect anything different. We've always had good games against them and exciting to be a part of. I expect more of the same tomorrow.”

All Canucks players were on the ice for today's practice and it's not likely that coach Alain Vigneault will make any lineup changes. The Canucks have won three straight and lead the Northwest Division by a comfortable 11 points over the Minnesota Wild.

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