DALLAS - Andrew Raycroft has been arguably the best goalie in the National Hockey League the last week, but apparently isn't good enough to start tonight for the Vancouver Canucks in Dallas.

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Cory Schneider #35 of the Vancouver Canucks warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on October 29, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Photograph by : Getty Images

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The Canucks have announced that minor-league callup Cory Schneider, who allowed three goals in one period of relief in his only NHL appearance this season, will start against the Stars as Vancouver tries to maintain the momentum of a 4-1 record since No. 1 goalie Roberto Luongo was forced out by a rib injury.

The Canucks don't want to use Raycroft on back-to-back nights because the 29-year-old, who played 72 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs three years ago, was busy in Thursday's 5-2 win against the Minnesota Wild and poor last week when he tried to play on consecutive nights.

But coach Alain Vigneault's decision to start Schneider tonight is stunning and fraught with risk. Raycroft and the Canucks are on a three-game winning streak.

Raycroft leads the NHL with a 1.60 goals-against average and .936 save rate and has been getting better the more he plays. He stopped 28 of 30 shots Thursday in St. Paul. And in three career starts against Dallas, Raycroft is 3-0 with a 1.67 GAA and a shutout.

Also, with Vancouver targeting Tuesday's game in St. Louis for the return of Luongo, it's not like Raycroft needs to pace himself.

The last thing the Canucks need, after re-starting their season with renewed commitment to hard work, team defence and unselfish play, is for players to think that their best chance of beating the Stars is operating the gate at the bench.

Schneider, the Canucks' first-round pick from 2004 and the top goalie in the American League last season, can make Vigneault look smart by playing well tonight. But in an eight-game NHL trial last season, Schneider was 2-4-1 with a 3.38 GAA.

It's true, he can't get better without playing. But the Canucks can't be any better than they've been with Raycroft.

Cory will be the only Schneider playing tonight. Forty-year-old defenceman Mathieu Schneider, whose play has been uneven since returning from long-term injury, will sit out tonight as Shane O'Brien comes back from suspension.

The Stars, 6-3-6 (and 0-4 in shootouts under new coach Marc Crawford), will be missing top goal scorer James Neal (groin), one of the best young power forwards in hockey.

The roll call of missing Canucks is Daniel Sedin (foot), Pavel Demitra (shoulder), Michael Grabner (ankle), Alex Bolduc (shoulder), Jannik Hansen (hand), Steve Bernier (flu) and Luongo (ribs).