Canucks, Flames to pick up where they left off last season
Calgary had the last laugh in playoffs
Pacific Division rivals Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames renew hostilities at Scotiabank Saddledome Wednesday (10 p.m. ET). After last season's bitter playoff series, how much of a factor will revenge play at the start of a new campaign?
The final sight for the Canucks last spring was the Flames bouncing them out of the playoffs at the Saddledome after Vancouver entered the series with the upper hand, earning the initial home-ice advantage based on their second-place division finish, one spot ahead of the Flames.
However, Calgary went on to a spirited second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks before exiting the Stanley Cup chase. Now both teams will likely take a measured approach to the start of the season as the marathon begins anew, rather than the frenetic playoff pace.
The Canucks lost in six games during last spring's first-round series agiainst Calgary, including all three contests at Scotiabank Saddledome. That dropped them to 2-5 in all-time playoff meetings with the Flames.
Talented young forwards
The Canucks made only a handful of additions to their roster over the summer and parted with a key member in defenceman Kevin Bieksa, who was traded to Anaheim for a second-round draft pick.
Calgary's first playoff appearance since 2009 ended in the second round, when it lost to the division-champion Ducks in five games. While surprising most experts by qualifying for the post-season in 2015, the Flames will be expected by many to return behind their group of talented young forwards.
Sean Monahan shared the team lead with 31 goals in his second season, Johnny Gaudreau tied for first in rookie scoring with 64 points to become a finalist for the Calder Trophy, and 2014 first-round pick Sam Bennett has a chance to capture the award after recording two goals and an assist in the playoff series against Vancouver.
Sizing up the teams
Vancouver (2014-15: 48-29-5, 2ND in Pacific): One of Vancouver's off-season additions is Brandon Sutter, who was acquired from Pittsburgh in a deal involving Nick Bonino and will begin the season on a line with the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel. The 26-year-old son of Brent Sutter scored a career high-tying 21 goals for the Penguins last season and tied for second in the league with four short-handed tallies. Rugged left wing Brandon Prust, who was obtained from Montreal, is expected to make his Canucks debut against the team with which he began his NHL career.
Calgary (2014-15: 45-30-7, 3RD in Pacific): The Flames strengthened their already formidable blue-line over the summer by acquiring Dougie Hamilton from Boston for a trio of draft picks. The 22-year-old rearguard, who posted career highs of 10 goals and 32 assists last season, joins a defence corps that includes captain Mark Giordano, Dennis Wideman and TJ Brodie, who will begin the season on injured reserve. Karri Ramo will start in goal on Wednesday, while Jiri Hudler — who led the team in scoring last season with 76 points — is questionable as he battles the flu.
Overtime shots
- Calgary lost LW Paul Byron was claimed off waivers by the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.
- Canucks C Jared McCann could make his NHL debut Wednesday after earning a roster spot with a strong showing in training camp. The division rivals, who meet in Vancouver on Saturday, split their four-game season series in 2014-15.
- Canucks G Richard Bachman was recalled from the Utica Comets of the AHL after Jacob Markstrom suffered a lower body injury and was being evaluated Wednesday.
With files from SportsDirect Inc.