PREMIUM
Rogers' Coach's Clinic Special ($25)
(NHL) Calgary vs. Vancouver,
Money Line: -125.00 Vancouver (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -125.00 Vancouver (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Flames have opened the new season 0-2, losing 7-4 in Edmonton (Wednesday) and then back at home 5-3 last night, to those same Oilers. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks have yet to take the ice, after a 31-38-13 season which left them 6th in Pacific Division last year.
Calgary: Mikael Backlund, who is coming off a career season in which he recorded 21 goals and 47 points, is off to a good start for the Flames. He has collected three assists over the first two games and Michael Frolik has scored in each contest, looking to reach the 20-goal mark for the first time since 2009-10. However, Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary's leader in goals (30), assists (48) and points (78) last season, has registered a team-high eight shots but has yet to net a goal. The big problem so far has been that Calgary has allowed 12 goals in the two games. Goaltender Brian Elliott, in his 10th year (but first with Calgary), owns a 5.07 GAA average and a woeful save percentage of .818.
Vancouver: Many have picked the Canucks to finish dead last in the 30-team league, coming off a 2015-16 campaign plagued by numerous injuries and inconsistency. However, coach Willie Desjardins thinks his club could surprise people this season. "I think we're solid," said Desjardins. "I think we're a better team than we were last year. But it doesn't really matter what you think. It's what you do on the ice. We just have to prove it. We can't say we're going to be a good team. We have to prove that we can be a good team. Until we do that, people get to pick us there."
The pick: After going 15-21-5 at Rogers Arena in 2015-16, the Canucks need to make sure they take care of business at home this season and what better way than to get in the habit of winning than right here. Backup goaltender Chad Johnson is expected to make his regular-season debut for the Flames after Brian Elliott took both of the opening losses, while Ryan Miller is slated to start in goal for the Canucks. Miller enters his 14th season and just two years ago (2014-15 season), was 29-15-1 for Vancouver. The Flames play the perfect foil, as for at least for one night, the Canucks can claim that they are unbeaten. Vancouver is a 10* play.
Calgary: Mikael Backlund, who is coming off a career season in which he recorded 21 goals and 47 points, is off to a good start for the Flames. He has collected three assists over the first two games and Michael Frolik has scored in each contest, looking to reach the 20-goal mark for the first time since 2009-10. However, Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary's leader in goals (30), assists (48) and points (78) last season, has registered a team-high eight shots but has yet to net a goal. The big problem so far has been that Calgary has allowed 12 goals in the two games. Goaltender Brian Elliott, in his 10th year (but first with Calgary), owns a 5.07 GAA average and a woeful save percentage of .818.
Vancouver: Many have picked the Canucks to finish dead last in the 30-team league, coming off a 2015-16 campaign plagued by numerous injuries and inconsistency. However, coach Willie Desjardins thinks his club could surprise people this season. "I think we're solid," said Desjardins. "I think we're a better team than we were last year. But it doesn't really matter what you think. It's what you do on the ice. We just have to prove it. We can't say we're going to be a good team. We have to prove that we can be a good team. Until we do that, people get to pick us there."
The pick: After going 15-21-5 at Rogers Arena in 2015-16, the Canucks need to make sure they take care of business at home this season and what better way than to get in the habit of winning than right here. Backup goaltender Chad Johnson is expected to make his regular-season debut for the Flames after Brian Elliott took both of the opening losses, while Ryan Miller is slated to start in goal for the Canucks. Miller enters his 14th season and just two years ago (2014-15 season), was 29-15-1 for Vancouver. The Flames play the perfect foil, as for at least for one night, the Canucks can claim that they are unbeaten. Vancouver is a 10* play.
