It’s just one game, right?
It’s not the end of the world if you win or lose your NHL home-opener because there is always ample time to right the wrongs.
However, if you’re the Vancouver Canucks with lingering memories of blowing two big leads in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena to commence a troubled 2024-2025 campaign, their Oct. 9 curtain-raiser in Vancouver this season against those same Flames should be treated like a playoff game.
It has come to this in an alienated market where getting back to the playoffs is like conquering the Grouse Grind with consistent and strong strides. It’s exhausting but exhilarating if you ascend without losing balance or taking a tumble.
The Canucks stumbled out of the gate last season at Rogers Arena. They were 3-5-3 after 11 dates, won two straight on just two occasions, and finished at 17-16-8. Put it this way. Minnesota and St.Louis claimed the final two wildcard playoff berths because of 23-13-5 and 24-14-3 home marks respectively.
Seven more points would have got the Canucks to the postseason. And whether that came from overtime points with a league-worst 10-14 mark, or being harder to play against at home, it brought a paltry 23rd-ranked offence into focus. It overshadowed a third-rated penalty kill and strong 21-14-6 road record.
Of course, a new season brings new hope. That’s what the faithful cling to and pay for.
A healthy Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen should form a formidable goaltending tandem. The back end is a lot better than a year ago when it bled odd-man rushes and turnovers. The Canucks now defend better down low and spend less time in their own zone. And with a healthy captain Quinn Hughes as the get-out-of-jail-free card, and packing an added offensive arsenal, there’s reason for hope.
Kevin Lankinen denies Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson in Jan.6 matchup at Montreal. Lankinen won his first 10 road starts last season to set NHL record.
The biggest intrigue comes up front in the top-six mix potential.
The trade play for left winger Evander Kane, who turns 34 on Aug. 2, could pay dividends because he’s healthy, in a contract year, returning home, and motivated to extend his career. The Canucks took on the $5.12 million US remaining on his deal and gave up a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Edmonton Oilers. Kane has potential to hit 30 goals for the third time in his career.
Kane’s arrival and Brock Boeser’s pivot back from free agency sets the Canucks up for better balance and production in their top two lines. Boeser, 28, got a seven-year, $50.75-million extension to put his mind at ease, and an incentive to get this game back to 30 goals and potentially more.
Jake DeBrusk is coming off a career 28-goal season, which included 14 on the power play to rank fifth overall, and the burning question is which left winger works best for struggling Elias Pettersson. Kane to drive play and open up space, or DeBrusk for big down-low presence?
The Canucks still have a riddle in the middle after losing Pius Suter to free agency. The can’t rely on Pettersson and Filip Chytil to carry the load, and need support via a trade, which could see a roster player or players depart, depending on the roster addition.
This is the Elias Pettersson the Canucks must see next season. Healthy, joyful and productive to get his game in order.
MUST-SEE HOME GAMES:
Oct. 25: Reigning Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson and the vastly improved Montreal Canadiens make their only trip in a 4 p.m. clash.
Oct. 28: J.T. Miller makes his return to Vancouver after being dealt to the New York Rangers in a multi-player deal Jan. 31. The fans might still chant his name. At his best, he was dynamo. A 7 p.m. tilt.
Nov. 11: Jonathan Toews, 37, returns in a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets. The legendary Chicago Blackhawks centre has battled numerous ailments — including long-COVID effects — and hasn’t played since April 13, 2023. It’s a 7 p.m. start.
Jan. 21: Ageless Alex Ovechkin, 39, is the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer with 897 career regular-season tallies with the Washington Capitals. It’s a 7 p.m. contest.
March 17: Two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers make their lone trip to the West Coast to hone their game for a three-peat title quest in a big 7 p.m. tilt.
NOTES OF NOTE:
Crazy Eights: Vancouver has two eight-game home-stands. The first starts Jan.17 against Edmonton and concludes Jan. 31 against Toronto. The second runs March 2 against Dallas through to March 26 against Los Angeles.
Backstreet’s Back (to back): The Canucks have 14 sets of back-to-back games, including three in each of November, December, and January, as well as two in October and April, and one in March.
Hitting the Road: The team’s longest road trip is six games, spanning Jan. 6-15. The Canucks make stops in Buffalo, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Columbus.
Weekly Planner: The breakdown by day of the week is as follows:
Monday – 12
Tuesday – 13
Wednesday – 7
Thursday – 15
Friday – 8
Saturday – 19
Sunday – 8
Olympic Return: The schedule pauses Feb. 6-24 as players travel to Italy for 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Quinn Hughes (USA) and Teddy Blueger (Latvia) have been named to preliminary rosters.