If NHL games were 40 minutes long, the Vancouver Canucks would be one of the best teams in the league.

Vancouver blew a 2-0 lead Thursday night, and a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes, losing their third straight game, a 3-2 decision to the San Jose Sharks. The Canucks have now lost 11 games when leading after two periods, according to The Province and Canucks Army's Jeff Paterson.

And Vancouver's home struggles continue in a big way:

Vancouver's 11 home wins are better than only the Toronto Maple Leafs' nine. Not good. And, once again, the Canucks couldn't muster much offense. They scored two or fewer for the third straight game, and have two goals or fewer in seven of their past nine games. It's bleak:

With 60 points in 63 games, the Canucks are only four points out of the Western Conference basement.

Meanwhile, goaltender Ryan Miller, obviously frustrated with a lack of support, was furious after the game because he believed Sharks forward Tomas Hertl's goal in the second period, which got San Jose on the board, was deflected with a high stick.

With the Minnesota Wild picking up two points Thursday in Toronto, the Canucks are now 10 points back in the wild-card race. It's possible, but becoming more unlikely by the day.

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The Dallas Stars' search for a defenseman continues ahead of Monday's trade deadline, and a new name has entered discussions.

One day after it was reported the Stars were interested in Vancouver Canucks blue-liner Dan Hamhuis, TSN's Darren Dreger tweeted Sunday that Dallas "remains focused" on adding either Hamhuis or Kris Russell of the Calgary Flames.

Dreger added that the Stars "have a lot of time for Russell," who has 15 points in 51 games this season. The Flames are hoping to receive a pair of second-round picks in exchange for the 28-year-old.

Hamhuis, meanwhile, reiterated his desire to return to Vancouver if he is moved, telling The Canadian Press on Sunday that he'd like a situation similar to that of Arizona Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette.

The center was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of last season's trade deadline, won a Stanley Cup, and returned to Arizona in the offseason.

The Stars have not made a trade since acquiring Patrick Sharp from the Blackhawks last July.

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The Chicago Blackhawks seem to be shifting their focus away from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis.

While the Blackhawks are interested in adding depth to their blue line, the team's interest in Hamhuis has "cooled considerably," according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

In turn, McKenzie suggests the team appears to be focused on "lower-level depth options on the blue line." Given that, McKenzie believes anything is possible as the trade deadline draws closer.

A potential deal for Hamhuis would also be difficult for the Blackhawks given cap stipulations. After acquiring forward Andrew Ladd from the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, the Blackhawks will have just under $1.5 million of cap space on deadline day, according to General Fanager, while Hamhuis has a cap hit of $4.5 million.

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