CORY SCHNEIDER

Wednesday night's victory may have been just the first step in what is still a statistically unlikely comeback attempt for the Canucks but for netminder Cory Schneider it was much more than just your typical outing. The win was the first career playoff victory for the 26-year-old. As far as Schneider is concerned, however, he won't worry too much about what the future holds beyond this season and will concentrate solely on doubling his career playoff win total in Game 5. Tonight will mark Schneider's first career home playoff start. The last goaltender not named Roberto Luongo to start a playoff game at Rogers Arena was Alex Auld back in 2004.

The native of Marblehead, Massachusetts - who had never faced the Kings in his career prior to Game 3 of this series - has allowed just two goals in 118:27 of total playing time so far in this series and brings a sparkling 1.02 GAA and .969 save percentage into tonight's game. Overall in his playoff career, which now includes three starts and seven overall appearances, Schneider has a record of 1-1 with a 1.92 GAA and a .938 save percentage.

DREW DOUGHTY

At the outset of this series, it was unthinkable to suggest that the Kings could walk away as winners without Drew Doughty being a significant contributor. That would have been the case, however, had the Kings managed to win Game 4 on Wednesday. The 22-year-old blue-liner, who led all Kings defensemen in goals (10) and points (36) during the regular season, has been quiet for the most part in this series despite leading the team in time on ice averaging 26:50 per game through the first four outings in the series. He has collected just a single assist so far - that came back in Game 1 - and has only managed five combined shots in his last three outings after netting six shots in the series opener.

The London, Ontario native will be looking to put forth his best effort tonight as he tries to help his team clinch the series in their second try. Dating back to the regular season, Doughty has just one assist in his last eight outings. Doughty, who had three points (1-2-3) during the regular season against the Canucks, had a team-leading seven points (3-4-7) back in the 2010 playoff series versus Vancouver. In 16 career playoff outings, Doughty has amassed 12 points (5-7-12) and 14 penalty minutes.

BRING ON ELIMINATION

After staving off elimination in Game 4, the Vancouver Canucks (trail series 1-3) will try to stay alive in the playoffs again tonight when they host the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena in Game 5.

LIVE ANOTHER DAY

I don't have any thoughts. I don't read the paper. I'm not going to speculate on the next summer or the next season. We still have a season to play right now. - Cory Schneider on what the future might hold for the Canucks' goaltending position.

For a while on Wednesday the Canucks appeared resigned to let their season end quietly with a whimper. Give them credit for finding their game just in the nick of time to, at the very least, extend their campaign by one more outing.

Trailing 1-0 after the opening frame the Canucks, bolstered by the presence of Daniel Sedin who made his return to the lineup after missing the previous 12 games with a concussion, exploded with a pair of second period markers including one on the man-advantage and later added a second power play tally in the final period en route to a 3-1 win. The victory allowed Vancouver to avoid becoming the first Presidents' Trophy winner to be swept in the opening round of the playoffs.

The only thing that was perhaps more surprising than Vancouver's sudden offensive outburst on Wednesday was the decision by head coach Alain Vigneault to give Cory Schneider a second consecutive start between the pipes as opposed to reverting back to his go-to-guy for the past six seasons in Roberto Luongo - a decision that could have major ramifications beyond this season. Schneider rewarded his coach's faith in him by stopping 43 of 44 shots to earn his first career playoff victory.

The Canucks won't worry too much about what the implications of starting Schneider will be beyond this season as they'll solely be focused on trying to avoid elimination again tonight. The only lineup change expected from the Canucks will see Dale Weise replace Zack Kassian. The Kings will likely go with the same lineup they dressed in Game 4.

STRIKE ONE

The Kings are very much still in the driver's seat in this series but one has to wonder if their inability to seal the deal on Wednesday has planted a seed of doubt even if it's just a tiny one.

It seemed like they picked up right where they left off. You have to be hard on them. You have to make them earn every inch of the ice, and that's what we're going to have to do. - Kings forward Anze Kopitar on how to neutralize the Sedin twins.

Los Angeles could prove to everyone that Wednesday's game was just an aberration and that they're still the same confidence bunch with a series-clinching win tonight. Lose Game 5, however, and it's a whole new ball game on heading back to the Staples Center for Game 6.

The Kings have never managed to win a best-of-seven series in five games in franchise history while the Canucks have only lost a best-of-seven series in five games twice in team history, most recently in their 2007 Western Conference Semi-Final series against the Anaheim Ducks.

Game 6 of this series, if necessary, goes on Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

WATCH IT

Tonight's game faces off at 5 pm PT and can be seen coast-to-coast in Canada on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. The game can also be seen by viewers in the U.S. on the NBC Sports Network. Listen live on The TEAM 1040 Sports Radio or online at teamradio.ca.

Those away from a TV or radio can follow @CanucksGame on Twitter for live in-game play-by-play.