Vancouver Canucks gameday: In search of first win vs. Calgary

The Vancouver Canucks will look to avoid an 0-2 start when they visit the arch rival Calgary Flames on Saturday night.

It’s early in the season, sure, but the Vancouver Canucks would certainly love to avoid dropping their first two games for the first time in seven years.

The 2012-13 campaign marks the last time Vancouver went winless through their first two games (they went 0-1-1). The club hasn’t been familiar with slow starts over the years, so they’ll try to keep the trend going this Saturday when they visit the Calgary Flames.

Even though Vancouver missed the playoffs in 2018-19, they managed to go 3-2-0 against the Flames — who led the Western Conference with 107 points. The Canucks should pose even more problems to their arch rivals, having added more size and physicality in J.T. Miller, Micheal Ferland and Tyler Myers.

The Flames dropped their season opener 5-3 to the Colorado Avalanche, who could very well be the team to beat in the Western Conference this season. Calgary is known for struggling out of the gate, so history bodes well for the Canucks here.

Players to watch

J.T. Miller: The 26-year-old had a solid debut with the Canucks, picking up an assist in 19:51 of ice time. Look for head coach Travis Green to use Miller on the ice against Calgary’s top line. His physical edge and skill set could be key in shutting down Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm.

Johnny Gaudreau: The Flames superstar scored a goal and registered an assist in Calgary’s opener. ‘Johnny Hockey’ had one goal and four assists in the season series against Vancouver last year. You can’t stop him. You can only contain him.

Elias Pettersson: Vancouver’s top player was held off the score sheet in Edmonton, and he only mustered two shots on goal. Pettersson dominated the Flames with nine points in five games last year — including five points in the home-and-home to start the season.

Mark Giordano: The reigning Norris Trophy winner recorded a career-best 74 points last season. He’ll be tasked with shutting down the likes of Pettersson and Brock Boeser. And of course, Giordano is dangerous on the power play (18 points with the man advantage last season).

Prediction: 3-2 Flames

I’m tempted to go with history and hand the win to the Canucks, since they’re the hot starters while the Flames tend to struggle out of the gate. But it’s hard to pick against the superior team in their home opener.

Whatever happens, the Canucks should be thankful that they get a tough contest against the Flames out of the way early. But it would be quite the bonus if Vancouver could come away with the win.