Gameday: 'Nucks at Ducks, It's Opening Night at Honda Center

Hockey has officially returned to Southern California, well, the better part of Southern California. It's time for the Ducks to re-introduce themselves to the community that probably forgot about them, save a handful of us.

Our notoriously slow starting team is 2-0. I wish I could say the 2-0 sparked a lot of confidence in me but it doesn't. In the game against Calgary, I saw a lot of the old Ducks coming out as the Flames kept clawing back. Our second period play is always incredibly passive, especially if we hold the lead. The penalty kill blows.

So the question is: are they lucky or are they good? The answer right now is it's too early to tell.

Hiller has been good but not spectacular. Corey Perry looks really off, by Perry standards. Bryan Allen looks like he's playing himself into shape. Is Bobby Ryan still in the lineup?

Yet, the upside is outweighing the down. In the first game of the season, the power play was unbeatable, even missing Cam Fowler. Ryan Getzlaf went back to his old position at point, where Fowler would be. Speaking of Getzlaf, a contract year does that boy well. On Twitter, I officially welcomed back HULKZLAF. As angry as I've been with him for two-plus seasons, he's killing it now. And dude, the third line?! Who said they were going to be an effective combination at the beginning of the season? If you're saying you did, shut up. You're lying.

This team is terrifying yet fun to watch. It's great to see our offensive firepower finally making a consistent . Welcome to Washington Capitals hockey, West Coast sty-lee.

We welcome to town this evening a 1-1-1 Vancouver team. The Canucks last played on Jan. 23, beating Calgary in a shoot-out. The Ducks last game was played Jan. 21, beating Calgary in regulation 5-4. Who knows if the days off will help or hurt the positive momentum for Anaheim. All I know is I want to make Vancouver explode by running up the score on both Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo, again. Nothing like good old fashioned goaltending controversy hysteria in Canada to get my American heart smiling.

Honda Center is sold out tonight. The Ducks have a list of pre-game activities and the usual red carpet entrance of the players. (It's raining today...). Everyone in attendance receive's a free Teemu Selanne shirt. I think a majority of the AC staff will be there. Enjoy the game tonight!

Go Ducks!