Pittsburgh at Vancouver

The Vancouver Canucks had a great season last year with a disappointing ending, falling prey to the Bruins and finishing runner-up in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Penguins are going to challenge for the Cup again this season. Getting Sydney Crosby back on the ice soon will help, as will getting Evgini Malkin back on the ice after his season was cut short a year ago due to a knee injury. Malkin appears more than ready as he registered 3 goals and 7 points in four preseason games. When Crosby returns, the Penguins will have arguably the best trio of centers in the league with Crosby, Malkin and Staal. The Canucks will open the season without Kesler and Raymond - two big cogs in their success a year ago. The Pens did a good job vs. the Western Conference a year ago, winning 10 of their last 14, and have the edge in this one. Play on Pittsburgh in this one.