Canucks rookie Cory Schneider says NHL players "come at you faster but it's not blindingly fast like I can't keep up." (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

It looks as though the Detroit Red Wings are abandoning their two-goalie rotation, while Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault might not have a choice.

Curtis Sanford practised Wednesday, but continues to nurse a sore back and could give way to rookie netminder Cory Schneider for games Thursday at Detroit and Friday at Minnesota.

Schneider, who allowed three goals including the winner in Monday's 3-2 loss at Columbus, believes he has improved with every period since being recalled Nov. 22 to replace the injured Roberto Luongo (groin strain, week to week).

"They come at you faster," the 22-year-old told reporters of NHL players, "but it's not blindingly fast like I can't keep up. They make plays quicker, they get the puck off quicker, and they shoot harder.

"This is still a learning process … but overall I think this is good for my development."

Vigneault added he sees a player in Schneider with a lot of upside.

"Hopefully, he'll improve and, sooner rather than later, the [shots] that are going in right now won't go in," the coach said.

Prior to Luongo's injury, Vancouver had yielded three goals or fewer in nine consecutive games. During the team's current three-game losing skid, Sanford and Schneider have been beaten 10 times.

The 14-9-2 Canucks, who have taken two of three meetings this season against Detroit, held one-goal leads in the second and third period versus the Blue Jackets.

"It's inexcusable to give up a lead, and we did it twice," said Vancouver forward Ryan Kesler. "We have to nip this in the bud right now and go on."

Osgood to start for Red Wings

In Detroit, the Canucks are expected to face goalie Chris Osgood, who has lost twice in overtime to Vancouver this season, most recently on Nov. 24. Three weeks earlier, Osgood stopped 25 of 27 shots in a 3-2 regulation win.

Over the past eight games, the 14-year NHL veteran has alternated with Ty Conklin, but Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is leaning toward the hot hand and starting Osgood Thursday.

In Monday's 2-1 victory over Anaheim, he blanked the Ducks for 58 minutes 10 seconds en route to his second straight win, while Conklin has dropped two in a row.

Pesky Detroit forward Tomas Holmstrom will miss his eighth consecutive contest with a back injury.

That won't help a usually potent Red Wings offence that has scored two goals or fewer in four of the last five games. Team scoring leader Marian Hossa (27 points) has four goals in the last eight starts.

With two days of practices, Babcock expects a solid effort against Vancouver.

"We'll be a fresh hockey club and looking to establish a work ethic," he said.

Despite a 2-2-1 mark in its last five outings, Detroit (16-4-4) maintains a healthy eight-point lead over Chicago in the Central Division.