Last season, the Canucks became an improved team down the stretch when Rick Tocchet took over as head coach. winning 20 of 36, and ranking in the top half of the league defensively across that span. Adding vets Ian Cole and Carson Soucy provides more depth for the defense and also extra help on penalty kills, an area in which Vancouver ranked bottom last season (just 71.6% success rate). A healthy Thatcher Demko in goal is also a plus, and preseason games, were mostly lower-scoring. Meanwhile the Oilers spent the offseason trying to tighten their defense in front of Stuart Skinner, including a new neutral-zone system and changing to more zone principles. Clearing seven goals might be a chore tonight at Rogers Arena.

Was thinking about Canucks PL but we get a 7 already? Obviously juiced but have to do it. Vancouver's Thatcher Demko is a good goaltender and should be able to slow the high-powered Oilers a little bit. They generally aren't quite the same offensively on the road. And at least we push on the 3 + 3 = 7 overtime rule. I'll rarely not take Under 7s.