Game Day Recon #01 – Kings @ Canucks.

The Vancouver Canucks kick off their 40th anniversary season by facing their first ever opponent, 40 years to the day of their very first game. Tonight will be a special one for Canucks players, coaches, management, alumni and fans as we all join together to remember past glory (however few), welcome a new year, and introduce the team’s new captain.

It has been widely speculated that Hart and Art Ross winner Henrik Sedin will be named the Canucks new captain tonight, and with it comes very little opposition from media and fans at large.

Hank and brother Daniel begin a new campaign where regular season stats mean very little now, as it’s all about the drive in the post-season and a shot at ultimate hockey glory.

They open their season against a formidable opponent in the Los Angeles Kings, the team they beat in the first round of last year’s playoffs. They are young they are hungry and they feature a former Canuck, returning home for his first game. Willie Mitchell, now sporting #33, sees his first regular season action as a member of the LA Kings in his old home rink.

Here are your game day resources:

Canucks Lineup for tonight. (Canucks.com)

LA Kings preview (lakings.com)

Predictions for opening night (province.com)

Helene Elliott’s LA Times feature on Drew Doughty (latimes.com)