This is a Free #NHL play on the Vancouver Canucks.

The Canucks open the regular season in Calgary on Wednesday night, and they should be able to come away from this game with two points.

The Flames have been cellar dwellers in the Western Conference in recent seasons, last year finishing just ahead of last place Edmonton. They lost their leading scorer Mike Cammalleri in the off-season, and they haven't made any significant moves to bring in new talent.

Vancouver still has the same core group of players that went to the Stanley Cup Finals four years ago, losing in Game 7 to the Bruins. The Sedin Twins have both won scoring titles, and they should still have a few good years in them. Ryan Kesler left for Anaheim in the off-season, but Radim Vibrata has come over from Phoenix, and has had a great pre-season playing on the top line with the Twins.

The Canucks have to believe they can get back to the post-season, and they should be eager to get off to a fast start. The Flames are a good bet to finish last in the West, and wins will be far and few between for this team.

Take VAN.

GL,

Jesse Schule