as an emergency backup.(The tightness) is something that,

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Both the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres are in a defensive state of mind these days -- but for different reasons.The unbeaten Canucks (3-0-0) hope to maintain their strong defense as they host Buffalo (1-1-1) on Thursday night at Rogers Arena. On the other hand, the Sabres (1-1-1) are seeking to improve play in their own end. Vancouver has allowed only five goals against, while Buffalo has surrendered 10.Were not giving up nearly as many shots in the home plate area, which is just in front of the net, said Canucks center Bo Horvat. Were generating a lot more off our turnovers and tracking back and stuff like that. Structurally, were way better this year.The Canucks continue to defy their critics, many of whom picked them to finish last in the 30-team NHL this season. With Tuesdays comeback 2-1 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues, the Canucks have won three straight games when trailing after two periods. The three comeback wins already match Vancouvers 2015-16 total for wins when trailing after 40 minutes.But Canucks coach Willie Desjardins wants more evidence of defensive dependability.We have worked at it, said Desjardins. That was one of the things going in (this season), that we were going to take away some chances. (But) three games isnt a big enough sample size. Weve got to keep proving it every day.Along with consistent play from defenseman and steady two-way play by forwards, strong goaltending has been a key factor in Vancouvers quick start. But most of the saves have come from supposed backup Jacob Markstrom, who will make his third straight start. Markstrom is pulling No. 1 duty, because Ryan Miller was feeling tight Tuesday morning prior to his cancelled start against St. Louis.As a result, the Canucks had to sign University of British Columbia goaltender Matt Hewitt to a one-day contract as an emergency backup.(The tightness) is something that, over the course of the season, you feel numerous times, Miller said Wednesday after taking part in practice. But once youre able to get that rest, youre fine the next day. It just held on a little bit longer (this time).Miller said he should be available for more exercise Thursday. The Canucks did not announce a call-up from their AHL farm team in Utica, N.Y. He had a slow start to practice, but was able to stay on the ice late.I tried to react to shots rather than take scripted shots, said Miller. Its reacting a lot better than I expected. Its not an injury. Its more a muscle didnt want to settle down after overtime and the shootout (in Saturdays opening win against Calgary.)Although the Canucks are not widely expected to make the playoffs, they have already set an NHL record this season. Vancouver has posted each win despite never having held the lead beforehand.But coach Desjardins was not overly impressed with the record.We cant keep playing that way, he said. We are not going to keep winning if we are behind in the third.Meanwhile, the Sabres aim to stop squandering late leads. Buffalo led twice in the third period Tuesday in Calgary, but still fell 4-3 in overtime.Going forward, theres a lot more we have to improve on, said Sabres center Ryan OReilly, who was beaten on the winning goal and missed a number of scoring chances. We did not have the jump or the compete (level Tuesday). Its embarrassing.Winger Marcus Foligno said the Sabres have to make sure that they are up for their meeting with the Canucks.We cant hang our heads too low, he said. But its definitely something where weve got to go into Vancouver now and finish off a good road trip. Wholesale Nike SB .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Cheap Nike Sb China . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. http://www.wholesalenikesb.com/ . World champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia won the gold medal with 237.71 points, Moore-Towers and Moscovitch followed at 208.45 and Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia were third at 187. Cheap Wholesale Nike SB Shoes . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Cheap Nike Sb Wholesale . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. CHICAGO (0-2) at DALLAS (1-1)Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT, NBCOPENING LINE -- Cowboys by 3RECORD VS. SPREAD -- Bears 0-2, Cowboys 1-0-1SERIES RECORD -- Cowboys lead 14-11LAST MEETING -- Cowboys beat Bears 41-28, Dec. 4, 2014LAST WEEK -- Bears lost to Eagles 29-14; Cowboys beat Redskins 27-23AP PRO32 RANKING -- Bears No. 31, Cowboys No. 17BEARS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (31), RUSH (25T), PASS (29)BEARS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (9), RUSH (22), PASS (6)COWBOYS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (15), RUSH (13T), PASS (17)COWBOYS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (18), RUSH (13), PASS (18)STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -- Cowboys have lost eight straight at home dating to last years opener. ... Bears trying to avoid second 0-3 start in as many seasons under coach John Fox and GM Ryan Pace ... QB Jay Cutlers status in doubt with sprained right thumb. If Cutler cant go, Brian Hoyer would make 27th career start with fourth different team and first against Cowboys. ... Bears also will be without LBs Lamarr Houston (knee) and Danny Trevathan (sprained thumb), along with likely absence of DL Eddie Goldman (sprained ankle). ... RB Jeremy Langford looking for third straight game with TD. ... WR Alshon Jeffery has TDs in past two games vs. Cowboys. ... LB Willie Young had sack last week and has sacks in two of three games vs.dddddddddddd Cowboys. ... Dallas rookie QB Dak Prescott has NFL-record 75 pass attempts without interception to start career, but still looking for first TD pass. He had rushing TD against Redskins. ... RB Ezekiel Elliott has rush TD in each of first two games. Prescott and Elliott were first rookie QB-RB in team history with touchdowns in same game. ... WR Cole Beasley has team-high 13 catches and had two TDs in last meeting with Bears. ... TE Jason Witten set for 200th career start, which would pass Emmitt Smith for second on franchise list, three behind leader Ed Too Tall Jones. ... S Barry Churchs interception against Redskins was first since 2014. ... CB Orlando Scandrick had nine tackles and interception in last meeting with Bears, but is slowed by issues with both hamstrings. ... Fantasy Tip: WR Dez Bryant had 102 yards receiving vs. Washington and has either 80 yards receiving or touchdown in all four previous meetings with Bears.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '