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Vancouver Canucks 2016-17 Schedule: Top 5 Notable Games

By Connor Cullen

Apr 9, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; The Vancouver Canucks players celebrate after their game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; The Vancouver Canucks players celebrate after their game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Hunter Shinkaruk (49) warms up against the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Hunter Shinkaruk (49) warms up against the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports /

Saturday, October 15th  vs. Calgary Flames

Not only is this game the season opener for the Canucks, it’s also the home opener and a chance to start off on the right track in 2016-17 against a divisional and Canadian rival. Vancouver vs. Calgary is usually a passionate affair no matter what, but the presence of John Tortorella and Bob Hartley will surely be missed behind the benches (and in between the locker rooms).

Instead, dearly departed ex-Canucks assistant coach Glen Gulutzan will be leading the regular-season charge for the Flames. The plucky Manitoba boy finally gets another shot at, well, calling all the shots.  Besides preseason action, this game will bring Gully back to Vancouver for the first time. Let’s hope the Canucks’ power play doesn’t suffer more for it (can it?).

But seriously, all the best to Gully because he deserves it.

Another storyline to watch for is Hunter Shinkaruk‘s revenge. If he cracks Calgary’s youth-infused lineup next season, Canucks fans might finally see what they could have had in the feisty forward. A 20-plus goal season in red for Hunter would hurt real bad. Based on his post-trade interviews last season, he sure seems fired up enough to prove everybody wrong.

Plus, if he happens to be matched up against Markus Granlund for even one shift and he blows by him… boy, I can see the quick cuts by the sporting networks to Benning’s discomforted face already.

Last Season’s Record vs. Flames: 1-3-1, 13 GF, 20 GA

Next: December 3rd

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