VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Willie Desjardins is aware of the dire predictions, but the Vancouver Canucks coach thinks his club could surprise people this season.We have to believe that, said Desjardins as the Canucks prepared this week for their regular-season opener Saturday against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena.I think thats how you approach it. I like certain parts of our team, for sure.But most pundits do not.Critics were quick to put down the Canucks in the preseason -- way down. Many observers, including USA Today and EA Sports, have picked the Canucks to finish dead last in the 30-team league after compiling a 31-38-13 record and missing the playoffs in a 2015-16 campaign plagued by numerous injuries and inconsistency.I think were solid, said Desjardins. I think were a better team than we were last year. But it doesnt really matter what you think. Its what you do on the ice. We just have to prove it. We cant say were going to be a good team. We have to prove that we can be a good team. Until we do that, people get to pick us there.Much of the proof will come if the Canucks can produce more goals after ranking last in the NHL with 186 in 2015-16. Vancouvers newcomers include high-scoring winger Loui Eriksson (via free agency), defenseman Erik Gudbranson (via trade) and Jack Skille (signed after preseason tryout.) According to Gudbranson, who was acquired from Florida for 2014 first-round draft choice (24th overall) Jared McCann in a deal that included draft picks, the Canucks are a good team with plenty of talent.Weve set really high expectations of ourselves, said Gudbranson. Weve pushed ourselves over the last month of us being here. Thats a tough pill to swallow, when you see everybody putting you at the bottom of the league. We have an opportunity to prove everyone -- everything -- wrong, and thats going to fuel us to come out strong here on Saturday and get off to a good start.The Canucks also hope the season opener will help them get in the habit of winning at home. They went 15-21-5 at Rogers Arena in 2015-16. Gudbranson said the Canucks need to make sure they take care of business at home this season.It sucks to lose on the road -- dont get me wrong -- but its embarrassing to lose at home in front of your fans, especially when youre playing poorly, said Gudbranson. I think we have to have that in the back of our minds.To start well at home Saturday, the Canucks will have to limit Calgarys top line of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Kris Versteeg, who was signed as a free agent in the preseason after initially trying out for Edmonton. Versteeg, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with Chicago, indicated it will still take some time to get used to his offensively gifted new linemates. But he likes what he has seen thus far.You can really read their hockey I.Q. right away and see how smart they are -- and the plays they want to make, said Versteeg.While the Canucks suit up for their first game, the Flames will be playing their third contest in four nights. But the Flames are still looking for their first win -- and point -- after bowing 5-3 at home to the Oilers on Friday night and losing 7-4 in Edmonton on Wednesday.This one stings, Calgary captain Mark Giordano said after Fridays loss. But weve got to get one back right away (Saturday). Its going to be a tough game. Its the home opener for them. Theyre going to have a lot of energy obviously, and weve got to bring (a better effort).Offense was not much of a problem for the Flames in their first two games, as they produced their seven goals from a combined total of 76 shots. But the Flames will need to cut down on penalties, which severely limited their scoring chances Friday. Calgary recorded 24 shots in the first period, but only three in the second as penalties took their toll.Calgary went scoreless on five power plays Friday, while the Oilers converted two of four man-advantage opportunities.New Flames coach Glen Gulutzan, who served as a Canucks assistant for the past three seasons, hopes that his club will get more game action right after Fridays loss.Thats your only saving grace, Gulutzan said. You cant dwell too long, but weve certainly got to get better in a couple areas. (Friday), with our special teams, we made a couple mistakes -- so weve got to get better there. Were just going to keep going at it until we get good at it.Backup goaltender Chad Johnson is expected to make his regular-season debut for the Flames after Brian Elliott took both of the opening losses. Ryan Miller is slated to start in goal for the Canucks. Air Max 96 Noir Et Blanche . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Air Max 360 Gris .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. http://www.airmax270noir.fr/air-max-360-noir.html .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Air Max 270 Blanche . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Vapormax Flyknit Moc Femme . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. NBA star Andrew Bogut has declared himself ready to play for Australia in his teams opening match (Sunday 3:15 AEST) against France.The Boomers center has racked up about 25 minutes of basketball across two games this past week, the only time he has had on the court since he injured his knee during Golden States NBA Finals campaign.Bogut initially felt he needed a miracle to be fit for the Games, and his chances didnt look good when he met with doctors while in camp in Melbourne last month.Its been a tough one, mentally, he told reporters on Friday. There were some people who thought it wasnt a good idea to go, but I committed to this a year ago ... and I didnt want it to end this way. Im 32 years old. Ive made a plethora of money, got the NBA championship and all that, but being part of this group is a special thing for me.Bogut, who was traded by the Warriors to Dallas while in rehab, understoood that there were risks in playing but said he had the full support of the Mavericks and franchise owner Mark Cuban.ddddddddddddI havent really met those guys or spent much time with them, but for them to express that gratitude and confidence in me handling my own rehab has been a huge blessing, he said.The big man is expecting to play around 20 minutes a game.To be playing 35-40 minutes is probably out of the question, especially early in the tournament, he added.The Boomers face world No. 5 France first in Rio, with the Europeans boasting the likes of NBA stars Tony Parker, Rudy Gobert and Nicolas Batum.Bogut admits Australia, which is chasing its first Olympic medal in mens basketball, has its work cut out.Its going to be a fair crack for our first game, he said. 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