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Posted at 1:15 PM EST.

OT included. Ottawa is 0-2 after two games but both losses were in OT so they could just as easily be 2-0. The Sens lost to Washington 5-4 before losing to Detroit 2-1. However, the Sens have not been sharp. They’ve spent more time in their own end than in their opponent’s end have surrendered more high quality chances than they’ve created. This is a top heavy, unbalanced squad with a makeshift defense until Erik Karlsson and Johnny Oduya return. The general consensus around hockey people is that the Sens overachieved last year and perhaps that’s true but one thing we know for sure is that their stock is higher than Vancouver’s, which is the basis for this play.

Every publication and NHL season preview will tell you the exact same thing in regards to the Canucks. They are projected to fight with Vegas and the Avs for the worst record in hockey but we’re not as convinced as guys like Bob McKenzie, who watch their twitter feed all day and report the same thing as everyone else. We watch the games and what jumps out to us is that the Canucks have brought in a lot of fresh talent, especially up front. Having trained and implored his new team to play faster, Vancouver Canuck’s new head coach Travis Green is a guy we’re very impressed with. First, Daniel and Henrik’s minutes were way down in their opening game so Green is not going to overwork the twins or expect them to carry this team any longer. That means more minutes for guys like Bo Horvat, Markus Granlund, Sven Baertschi, Brandon Sutter and others. We’re not sure this market is aware of just how good Horvat is. Green’s second brilliant move was sitting 20-year-old wonder boy, Brock Boeser, who had four goals in a nine-game NHL cameo at the end of last season and then led Vancouver in pre-season scoring. That game was the opening Saturday for Hockey Night in Canada and the Oilers/Canucks were the featured game. Boeser sat and watched from the press box and we’re pretty sure he’s anxious to get in there tonight. Against the Canucks, who are supposed to finish at the opposite end of the standings than the Oilers, Connor McDavid was held to two shots and no points in 24:38.

That’s just one game but it set a tone for the Canucks. They have read and heard about how bad they are so right away Green has used that as motivation and he’s also put a chip on the shoulders of every player in the Canucks dressing room. Jacob Markstrom was sharp in goal against Edmonton and he’ll take a step down in class tonight. So will the Canucks and we expect them to be 2-0 after this one.  

NHL Handicapping contest is now open for anyone to join. Details are in the HOCKEY CONTEST SECTION ABOVE 

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