The Canucks (0-2-0) look to put the brakes on their worst start to a season in eight years. They were shut out by the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday and fell to their bitter rivals, the Calgary Flames, in the season opener.

The back-to-back losses mark the team's worst start since dropping the first three games of the 2001-02 season.

The Canucks might correct that trend with a three-game stand at home, where they went on a rampage at the tail end of last season, winning 13 of their final 15 regular-season games.

They are also 11-2-3 all-time at home against the Blue Jackets.

The offensive drought is not due to a lack of effort. Vancouver is tied with San Jose and Toronto for second place in the NHL with 77 shots and had at least 11 shots in all three periods against the Avalanche, but they couldn't find the back of the net once in a 3-0 loss.

"Right now we've got one line that's generating in my mind offensively and that's Henrik (Sedin's) line. They had great opportunities, lots of shots," Canucks coach Alain Vigneault told the team's official website. "The other three lines right now aren't doing enough in my mind to be successful."

The Canucks will also hope their last line of defence, all-star goalie Roberto Luongo, will be able to improve his play. If statistics are any indication ? a 3.53 GAA and .857 save percentage ? he has yet to perform up to the expectations that accompany the 12-year contract extension he signed in the off-season.

Klesla a company man

The Blue Jackets (1-0-0) will hope to spoil the Canucks homecoming by starting their season with back-to-back wins for the first time in franchise history.

Entering its 10th season, the team has only one player who was there at the start, Rostislav Klesla. The defenceman was the first draft pick by the club in 2000, fourth overall. After years in the basement, the team's recent performance has Klesla excited.

"We've got a great team, with a lot of young talent and good guys," Klesla said. "I'm really looking forward to the upcoming years and to create a winning team and a championship team here."

A playoff appearance last year and a game in the win column already this season, Klesla believes his team is moving in forward. He signed a four-year, $11.9 million contract extension before the start of the season.

A championship calibre team will need repeat performances from goaltender Steve Mason and team scoring leader Rick Nash. Nash posted a single-season franchise record and career-high 79 points (40 goals, 39 assists) last year while Mason won the Calder Trophy for his rookie year performance with the Blue Jackets with 33 wins, and 10 shutouts.