(My Sportsbook) - The Vancouver Canucks might have lost something far more important than their franchise-record unbeaten streak on Thursday when two key components behind their recent string were forced to leave a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks due to injury.

Forward Todd Bertuzzi left the game with an eye injury, while defenseman Mattias Ohlund did not return after spraining his left knee.

"The injuries are bigger [than losing the 14-game unbeaten streak]," said Vancouver captain Markus Naslund. "You want to keep your key players in the lineup. I'm just hoping and keeping my fingers crossed...they'll be back soon."

Vancouver dropped to 10-1-4 in its last 15 games and lost for the first time since a setback to Detroit on January 24. The loss also snapped a five-game winning streak.

The Canucks, though, with 85 points still hold a seven-point edge on the Colorado Avalanche in the Northwest Division and have drawn within two of the Dallas Stars for the top-spot in the Western Conference.

After the game, however, all the attention turned to the two injured stars.

"You can't replace [Bertuzzi], there's no doubt about that," Naslund added. "You can't replace Mattias either. You can substitute him for Bryan [Allen]. I think Bryan can do a good job. But obviously you want the best players playing."

Bertuzzi, who along with Naslund and Brendan Morrison have become one of, if not the, top line in the league, was injured midway through the second period when he was raked across the face by the stick of San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov, who was trying to clear the puck.

Following the game head coach Marc Crawford said he expected Bertuzzi to travel with the team and he could be in the lineup on Saturday against the Canadiens.

Ohlund was also injured in the second period following a collision along the boards with Matt Bradley. He will be re-evaluated in the next couple of days and will not be with the team when it opens a five-game road trip in Montreal.

Also injured is goaltender Dan Cloutier, who missed his first game on Thursday since re-injuring his knee. Peter Skudra started between the pipes for the Canucks and made 26 stops.

"It will be a huge challenge," winger Trent Klatt said. "Clootch, Olie and Bert are huge members of this hockey team. You can fill their spots, but I'm not sure you can replace them."

WHAT'S NEXT

Vancouver will start its five-game trek against the Canadiens on Saturday. The trip will also include stops in Boston, Philadelphia, Columbus and Toronto.