The ball cap is off and the mask back on tonight for Vancouver Canuck netminder Roberto Luongo, who will face the first overall Detroit Red Wings in another enticing matchup at Rogers Arena.

Luongo should be well rested after a five-day all-star break and then having Tuesday off while Cory Schneider did handstands to beat Chicago 3-2 in overtime. Bobby Lou has opposed the Wings once this season. He prevailed 4-2 on Dec. 21, stopping 38 of 40 shots.

"It's two of the best teams in the league going at it," Luongo said Wednesday following practice. "There is always a lot of intensity and a play-off 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 it's exciting to be a part of. I expect more of the same."

Luongo carries a 20-10-4 record, 2.39 goals against average and .918 save percentage into tonight's contest.

SAVE REVISITED: Schneider's five-alarm stop Tuesday against Blackhawk centre Brendan Morrison was still the talk of the dressing room a day later. Schneider misplayed the puck, then had to make a stupendous left arm save while floundering in his crease. It became TSN's high-light of the night.

"I was really thankful I was able to keep that one out," chuckled Schneider. "It's terrifying to be in that position. You feel like you weigh 300 pounds. I can't tell if it was a blooper or a highlight. It was one or the other. Hopefully, it will be off the blooper reel since the puck didn't go in."

Canuck defenceman Alex Edler, the intended receiver for Schneider's bungled pass, wasn't about to let his teammate off the hook.

"Cory screwed it up so he had to fix it," quipped Edler. "It was an unbelievable save."

Luongo joked that he might attempt something similar, or even more daring.

"Yeah, I'm going to try a backhand saucer [pass] up the middle and then dive back to see if I can get it," he said.

CAN CODY COLLECT? Canuck freshman Cody Hodgson is an excellent candidate to be named NHL rookie of the month for January. Hodgson, 21, collected 10 points in 11 games, six of them goals. Two were game winners and two tied games. He also had a shootout winner. On the season, Hodgson has collected 30 points in 50 games and is plus-8.

"It's been a good month," acknowledged Hodgson. "I am feeling more and more comfortable as we go along here and, hopefully, it continues."

SWEDE DREAMS: Canuck captain Henrik Sedin is a large fan of Red Wing counterpart and fellow Swede Nicklas Lidstrom. The two have been teammates on Swedish Olympic teams despite their 10-year difference in age. Lidstrom is 41 and Henrik 31.

"If he can continue to play at this level, he can play until he's 45 or 50," said Henrik. "He's very effective in the way he plays. He doesn't really have to move much out there because he's always in the right spot. So it's impressive."

A seven-time Norris Trophy winner, Lidstrom is enjoying another fine season with 10 goals, 28 points and a plus-20 rating.

epap@vancouversun.com