Vancouver Canucks gameday: Home opener vs. Los Angeles Kings

The Vancouver Canucks will be looking for their first victory of the season in their home opener against the Los Angeles Kings.

After dropping both contests in Alberta to open up the season, the Vancouver Canucks finally return home, where they’ll look to win their first game of 2019-20 against the Los Angeles Kings.

Before their home opener begins, the Canucks will be revealing their new captain. Most people expect it to be Bo Horvat, but nothing is official until the “C” is actually presented. Either way, it promises to be a memorable night at Rogers Arena.

The Canucks will try to avoid their first 0-3 start to a season since 2009-10, although they won the Northwest Division that year. Still, with the Pacific Division already looking more wide open than previous years, the Canucks can’t afford to let points slip away this early in the season.

Last time the Kings visited Rogers Arena? March 28, which marked the debut of Quinn Hughes. He absolutely dazzled that night with Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, and the Canucks squeaked out a 3-2 shootout victory.

Players to watch

Quinn Hughes: Hughes has averaged 22:27 of ice time so far, and he recorded one assist in the season opener against the Edmonton Oilers. After an electrifying NHL debut against the Kings last year, the spotlight will be on Hughes once again tonight.

Drew Doughty: Arguably the best defenceman in the NHL right now, Doughty is coming off a three-point performance against the Calgary Flames — including the game-winner in overtime. He’s given the Canucks a lot of problems in the past. We’ll see if Vancouver’s young stars can find a way past him.

Elias Pettersson: The reigning Calder Trophy winner will break out any day now. Only three shots on goal and zero points through his first two games? Please. Pettersson is ready to take over a game. It’s a matter of when he gets it going. Today would mark a good time for his breakthrough performance.

Anze Kopitar: The two-time Selke Trophy winner went from a career-high 92 points in 2017-18 to just 60 last year. But Kopitar has recorded four points through his first two contests here in 2019-20. Vancouver’s top line will have their work cut out for them against this two-way superstar.

Prediction: 4-1 Canucks

The Canucks went 2-1-1 against the Kings last season, and the team has fared well in home openers in recent years. Plus, the Canucks are simply the better all-around team here, and I can’t see them getting off to a brutal 0-3 start.

Pettersson, Boeser and Hughes each record two points as the Canucks pull away with a 4-1 victory, picking up their first win of the season.