Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Of the four games on the 2014-15 NHL Opening Night schedule, the Vancouver Canucks–Calgary Flames matchup may be the least anticipated. That said, both teams are eager to get started. The Canucks are looking for a bounce-back year after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08. The Flames want to build on a good finish to last season and show their fans that the long rebuild is over. Both teams have a lot to prove as the puck drops on Wednesday night.
The John Tortorella experiment in Vancouver did not go as planned last year. Willie Desjardins will over after leading Texas to the AHL Calder Cup last season. Desjardins is a more mild-tempered person who will make his NHL coaching debut at the Saddledome. The Canucks also dismissed GM Mike Gillis and filled the spot with Jim Benning. Forward Alexandre Burrows has been outspoken about how much more positive the feeling is around the locker room.
The on-ice product was not good last year either. The team ranked 26th in the power play, while Henrik and Daniel Sedin had their lowest point totals in eight years. Ryan Kesler wanted out, and Nick Bonino was brought in as part of the Kesler trade. Bonino will now be asked to build on his career-best offensive output from last season. Another new face, Ryan Miller, will take over in net.
The Flames finished the season 19-13-0 despite missing the playoffs for the fifth straight year. Mason Raymond left the Canucks and will be wearing red tonight. He will provide leadership for a team that will rely on a good bit of youth this season. Sean Monahan is hoping to build on a successful rookie campaign, but is a game-time decision.
Joe Colborne worked on adding strength in the offseason and says he also feels faster. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Colborne does look like a tougher test for the opposing defense than last year. Johnny Gaudreau made the roster and carries a lot of hype with him into opening night.
Vancouver has beaten Calgary seven straight times. However, this one is anyone’s guess with a new-look Canucks team taking the ice. The difference could be the netminders as Jonas Hiller moves to Calgary as part of a good tandem with Karri Ramo.
Prediction: 3-2 Flames
Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
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