It is that time of year again Vancouver Canucks fans! It is time to stare into the crystal ball we all call the upcoming season, and begin to prepare ourselves for the excitement, and anticipation some of the most interesting match ups bring out of us all! This upcoming season has many storylines that will have Canucks fans circling their calendars and waiting for the puck drop come opening night. Here is a closer look at a few games that will interest Canucks fans in the 604, and abroad.
Ironically the Canucks open up their season on the road against the team that ended their season, the San Jose Sharks on October 3rd. For those who do not remember how it ended, the Sharks swept the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 last year during the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Finals. For many on the team revenge will be on their mind, and mix that with the big bodies both clubs possess the chances that some fireworks go off are pretty high. Another storyline coming into the game will be how Roberto Luongo will play after believing he would be gone this summer.
Two nights later on October 5th the Canucks will host the Edmonton Oilers in their home opener. This match up will allow the Canucks D to prove themselves that last year’s down year was a minor hiccup and what better way to prove that against a very young, energetic, and quick Oilers offense that possesses players like Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall. If the Canucks can prove early on that their defence is strong, which in big part will be aided by the arrival of defensive minded John Tortorella, they will give themselves the early confidence needed to have success in the wild wild Western Conference.
Cory who? Well Canucks fans and players on the roster for that part will quickly remember who Cory Schneider is, as him, and his new team the New Jersey Devils pay an early season visit to Rogers arena on October 8th. Once thought to be the future of the franchise, Schneider was traded to New Jersey on draft night by Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis. Now the pressure is on Luongo to prove to everyone that Gillis indeed make the right choice, or else the Canucks faithful will quickly call for Gillis’ head.
How could we forget the ever hated defending Stanley Cup Champions the Chicago Blackhawks. Their first match up will be on November 23rd in Vancouver. Last year’s Presidents Cup Trophy winners have always been a thorn in the side of the Vancouver Canucks, and will be once again as the Canucks try and return back to the finals. It was not long ago that Blackhawk defensemen Duncan Keith elbowed Canucks forward Daniel Sedin which landed the Hawk a 1 game suspension by the NHL. No doubt here this game will be another hard hitting physical game. In other words it is going to be the ideal game for any hockey fan.
Sid the kid and co. make an appearance at Rogers arena on January 7th, and my bet is this game will sell out as quickly as ever. Whenever you have the best player in the world come into town, you know even opposing fans will cheer, and clap for them. Pittsburgh offers one of the more higher octane offences in the league, and this matchup is sure to provide many highlights, and endless scoring chances. Oh yeah, and I almost forgot for those loyal Canucks fans who still remember, Matt Cooke will also be tagging along with the Penguins.
Lastly, but not least the Canucks will face (GASP!) former head coach Alain Vigneault on April 1st as he brings his new team the New York Rangers into town for a visit. How will the fans react when Vigneault first appears on the bench? A chorus of boos? Or will they serenade him with cheers, and claps and thank him for all the success he brought to the team while he was manning the Canucks behind the bench. This will be the Canucks opportunity to stick it to their former coach, and truly show him that they are a much better team now without him, and are well on their way without him.
Written by: Hamed Amiri
