Roberto Luongo missed 24 games last season with a groin injury. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo will miss at least the next two games after suffering a hairline fracture in one of his ribs.

Luongo, who skipped practice on Wednesday, said he wasn't sure how long he'll be out, but he'll miss Vancouver's road games Thursday in Los Angeles and Friday in Anaheim. His status for Sunday's home game against Colorado is uncertain.

"There is no definite timeline, because it's really about the amount of pain that you've got there," Luongo said. "I'm definitely not playing these next two games."

Backup Andrew Raycroft will get his first start of the season against L.A., while Cory Schneider has been recalled from Manitoba of the American Hockey League.

"I've had more than enough time," said Raycroft, who has appeared in two games this season spanning 52 minutes. "We've basically had two months so it'll be fun to get in there.

"Fortunately I've been in a few games and been able to get a feel for the pace."

Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault said Raycroft, who played in hockey-mad Toronto before signing with Colorado prior to the 2008-09 season, is an experienced netminder "that's used to environments that have a lot of attention."

Luongo was hurt during Saturday's 3-1 win over Toronto when a shot caught him through a soft spot in his padding. He beat Edmonton 2-0 on Sunday but aggravated the injury in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to Detroit, in which he gave up four third-period goals.

Luongo joins a long list of Canucks players who have missed time due to injuries this season. Vancouver is already without last season's leading goal scorer Daniel Sedin (broken foot) and top all-round defenceman Sami Salo (knee sprain).

But there is encouraging news with Salo, who usually skates beside Willie Mitchell on the shutdown pairing. He has made remarkable progress rehabilitating strained left knee ligaments that were expected to keep him out four more weeks.

Salo had his first full practice Wednesday. He will be a game-time decision as will fourth-liner Rick Rypien who was sidelined with a groin injury.

Pavol Demitra is expected to be out until at least January as he recovers from shoulder surgery, while fellow forward Kyle Wellwood is day-to-day with a broken toe.

Speedy winger Jannik Hansen has had pins removed from fingers broken in a pre-season game fight and is still sporting a cast.

Ryan Johnson, who was taken to hospital for observation after a hard crash into the end boards against Detroit, has been discharged. Vigneault said Johnson is suffering from general body soreness and will also stay in Vancouver.

Schneider, 23, has posted an AHL-leading 6-3-0 record with the Moose this season, registering one shutout and .910 save percentage.

He played 40 games with Manitoba last season, posting a 28-10-1 mark and 2.04 goals-against average. Schneider was named the 2008-2009 AHL goalie of the year after leading the Moose to the Calder Cup finals.

With files from The Canadian Press