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Vancouver Canucks: Previewing home opener vs. Oilers

By Alex Hoegler |
VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 30: Vancouver Canucks left wing Loui Eriksson (21) plays the puck behind Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) during their NHL preseason game at Rogers Arena on September 30, 2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 30: Vancouver Canucks left wing Loui Eriksson (21) plays the puck behind Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) during their NHL preseason game at Rogers Arena on September 30, 2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Vancouver Canucks will welcome Pacific Division powerhouse and rivals, the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena tonight to kick off their season. Here are the projected lineups, keys to victory and more.

A brand new Vancouver Canucks season will begin tonight against one of the league’s elite teams, the Connor McDavid-led Edmonton Oilers.

The Canucks are expected to be a bit less painful to watch, as speedsters like Sam Gagner, Brock Boeser and Michael Del Zotto try to make the Canucks a bit more competitive. The Oilers — who were one win away from reaching the final four last season — will provide a great challenge for these “rebuilding” Canucks.

Things have changed between these two. For nearly a decade, the Canucks pummeled the Oilers and it usually led to division championships. But the Oilers are now legitimate Cup contenders, while Vancouver is reconstructing its roster all over.

Do the Canucks have it in them to pull off the upset? Here is our preview for tonight’s season opener.

104. Final. 0. 148. 0

Vancouver Canucks

OVERVIEW:

2016-17 Record: 30-43-9

Away Record: 18-17-6

2016-17 Record vs. Oilers: 1-4-0

Goals For: 182

Goals Against: 243

Injuries: Brendan Gaunce (shoulder, out indefinitely)

WHO’S ON OFFENCE:

Bo Horvat: He led the Canucks in scoring last year, and will be counted upon to lead the offence again. We’ll see if he and Sven Baertschi can rekindle last year’s chemistry.

Jake Virtanen: All eyes will be on the 2014 first rounder. After a strong preseason, Virtanen gets his chance to finally break through in the NHL.

Related Story: Canucks 2018 stat projections

WHO’S ON DEFENCE:

Michael Del Zotto: Let’s see what the new face can do. Del Zotto brings great puck-moving skills and speed to his game.

WHO’S IN NET:

Jacob Markstrom: Markstrom showed some flashes last year, but is running out of time to show he’s capable of being a legit No. 1 goalie.

PROJECTED LINEUP

(via Daily Faceoff)

Daniel Sedin — Henrik Sedin — Thomas Vanek
Sven Baertschi — Bo Horvat — Loui Eriksson
Sam Gagner — Alexander Burmistrov — Jake Virtanen
Markus Granlund — Brandon Sutter — Derek Dorsett

Alexander Edler — Chris Tanev
Michael Del Zotto — Erik Gudbranson
Ben Hutton — Troy Stecher

Jacob Markstrom
Anders Nilsson

Edmonton Oilers

OVERVIEW:

2017-18 record: 1-0-0

2016-17 Away Record: 22-14-5

2016-17 Record vs. Canucks: 4-0-1

Goals For: 3

Goals Against: 0

Injuries: Andrej Sekera (knee, out indefinitely).

MORE FROM THE CANUCK WAY

WHO’S ON OFFENCE:

Connor McDavid: The NHL’s best player could score 110-120 points this season. The Canucks defence will have their hands full with him.

Leon Draisaitl: Though not quite McDavid, Draisaitl came into his own last season with 77 points. He provides a great scoring punch behind McDavid.

WHO’S ON DEFENCE:

Adam Larsson: One of the league’s best defensive defencemen kept the Sedins at bay last season. Can the Canucks find a way to break his wall of defence?

WHO’S IN NET:

Cam Talbot: One of the league’s elite goalies broke out with 42 wins last season. Now, he has to take it a step further in 2018.

Keys to victory

Vancouver Canucks

  • Contain McDavid. Don’t give him open nice and don’t let him burst by you. Simple enough.
  • Stay out of the penalty box. Edmonton had the fifth-best power play last year. The Canucks had one of the most inefficient penalty kills.
  • Let the speed dictate the game. Horvat, Beoser and Stecher will win you this game, not the twins or Eriksson.

Edmonton Oilers

  • Let McDavid get the puck and score
  • Don’t let the Canucks score any goals
  • Play good defence

Predictions

Alex Hoegler:

148. 3. 104. Final. 2

The Canucks have won their last three season openers, and have a strange habit of always starting the season well. I’m a believer in trends, so watch Boeser score the shootout winner and bring early optimism.

David Joun

2. 104. Final. 4. 148

Tyler Shipley

2. 104. Final. 6. 148

The Oilers are just a much better team, and they’ve got the rust and the jitters out. Without Ryan Miller to keep it close, the Canucks can’t compete.

Next: Vancouver Canucks: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 season

Scott Rosenhek

4. 148. 3. 104. Final

McDavid will have keep up his ridiculous pace with a pair of goals. On the bright side, Brock Boeser will also score his first of the season.

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