Preview and Predictions for the Opening Games of the 2014-15 NHL Season

The National Hockey League drops the puck to open the 2014-15 season on Wednesday with four games on tap for opening night.

There is something for every hockey fan, with the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs kicking off their Original Six rivalry for another season, a couple of rugged Eastern Conference squads in the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins looking to assert themselves early, a western Canada showdown between the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames and a playoff rematch between the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings.

Happy channel surfing, hockey lovers.

Read on for storylines and predictions for each of the openers.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Who Will Win the Battle of the Backstops?

Jonathan Bernier is the unquestioned starter for the Maple Leafs, and he will make his first opening-night start for the franchise against the Canadiens on Wednesday. It will be the second opening-night start of his career after he suited up to replace an injured Jonathan Quick for the Los Angeles Kings back in 2007.

"

Tomorrow will mark the second opening night start of Jonathan Bernier's career, but first as a Leaf.

— Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) October 7, 2014"

His counterpart is Carey Price, who didn't finish his stellar season healthy after a run-in with the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final left him limping. Price was having an incredible year with the Habs, getting them through to the third round of the playoffs after leading Team Canada to a gold medal in the Sochi Winter Olympics.

With both teams looking to get off to a quick start and the defenses a little rusty, the play of Bernier and Price could determine who walks away with this one.

Will the Middleweights Make Hay?

The Leafs waived heavyweights Frazer McLaren and Colton Orr, officially cutting ties to former general manager Brian Burke's era of truculence. The Canadiens, meanwhile, bade farewell to George Parros. 

USA TODAY Sports

So if things get nasty or opponents take aim at star players, who will answer the bell if the scenario deems a scrap necessary? The Leafs have David Clarkson, who dropped the gloves nine times a year ago, as a willing participant. The Canadiens have Brandon Prust, who fought 11 times last season.

They both weigh in at around 200 lbs and stand about 6' tall. More importantly, they can play critical roles in other areas of the game, with Clarkson a former 30-goal scorer and Prust a big part of the Habs penalty-kill unit.

Can This Rivalry Be Reborn?

The Leafs and Canadiens have one of the most storied rivalries in the NHL, which goes back more than 720 regular-season games. It has fizzled in recent years, however, with the Habs facing more fight from the Boston Bruins and the Leafs, well, not having much fight at all.

They both lost in the first round in 2013, but they haven't been relevant in the playoffs at the same time for a decade. The Leafs and Canadiens both lost in the second round in 2004.

They'll look to change that this year, starting with a strong and inspired effort against each other in the opener.

Prediction: Canadiens 4, Maple Leafs 3

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins

Who Will Replace David Krejci?

Boston Bruins top-line center David Krejci has an injury that will cost him his place for at least the first game of the season, according to ESPN:

"

David Krejci placed on injured reserve by Boston Bruins http://t.co/wA819kfHO6

— ESPN NHL coverage (@ESPN_NHL) October 7, 2014"

Krejci was playing between Loui Eriksson and Milan Lucic. They could be joined by Ryan Spooner, an offensively gifted prospect who, according to the Bruins' official website, has made the team.

Can Mason Live Up to Last Season?

Flyers goaltender Steve Mason is coming off a strong season, during which he proved doubters wrong. Or at least, he thought he did.

Despite a 33-win season that helped the Flyers get into the playoffs after missing out in 2013, Mason still has some skeptics out there. That may be because since his rookie season in 2008-09, he never posted a save percentage higher than the .901 he registered with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

He turned things around down the stretch for the Flyers in 2013, with an amazing .944 save percentage in seven appearances as a backup following a trade to Philly. As the starter last season, he posted a .917 save percentage—well above his career average of .907.

Needless to say, the rabid Philadelphia fans will be watching and hoping he's found his niche.

Will Simmonds Be Able to Suit Up?

Wayne Simmonds scored 29 times last season. He was named an alternate captain this year by a club that lost a strong scorer and locker-room presence in Scott Hartnell to Columbus this offseason.

In short, Simmonds is one of the Flyers' most important players.

"

Congratulations to Wayne Simmonds and Mark Streit, who will both sport the A's this year! pic.twitter.com/L8lAzvqHWy

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 7, 2014"

According to Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post, Simmonds was in a walking boot much of the week and his status is in doubt for the Flyers' opener. His absence would create a big hole in the lineup against the heavy Bruins.

Prediction: Bruins 3, Flyers 1

Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames

How Will Johnny Hockey Fare in His Home Debut?

While Tampa Bay Lightning freshman Jonathan Drouin is the early favorite for the Calder Trophy, rookie Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau is a dark-horse candidate.

For good reason, too. The little guy with slick moves is all of 5'9" and 160 lbs soaking wet, but he has shown throughout the preseason he can keep up with the big boys.

"

Flames officially announce that Johnny Gaudreau makes season opening roster...and centre Sam Bennett will start on injured non-roster list.

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) October 7, 2014"

He played one game last year after his Boston College team was ousted in the NCAA final, and he scored his first NHL goal in Vancouver. The home opener will be much more emotional and will show us if the 21-year-old thrives or wilts under the bright lights.

Will the Sedin Twins Bounce Back from Bad Year?

Daniel Sedin dipped to 16 goals and 47 points—his lowest non-lockout totals since his third season in the league. Twin brother Henrik fell to 50 points—his worst season since his fourth in the NHL back in 2004. The Canucks go where the Sedin twins take them, and the hope is that a change in coaching philosophy—from the defensive-minded John Tortorella to up-tempo newcomer Willie Desjardins—will help the Sedins get back on track.

USA TODAY Sports

“I think you’re going to see...better hockey, more offensive hockey,” Henrik Sedin told Metro Vancouver's Cam Tucker.

These guys were close to point-per-game players just two seasons ago, so the safe bet is they'll bounce back with much better seasons.

How Good Are the New-Look Canucks?

Signing Radim Vrbata to play with the Sedins and goaltender Ryan Miller to replace the departed Roberto Luongo were just two of the moves made to give the Canucks a facelift after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Over the summer they also shipped out an unhappy Ryan Kesler, bringing in center Nick Bonino and defenseman Luca Sbisa from the Anaheim Ducks. They gave up a second-round pick for Linden Vey and a third-rounder for Derek Dorsett.

The result? We're about to find out, but the team should be more cohesive and re-energized.

Prediction: Canucks 5, Flames 3

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings

Can the Sharks Contain Kopitar?

USA TODAY Sports

When the San Jose Sharks collapsed in the first round of the playoffs last spring, dropping four straight games to the Los Angeles Kings after taking a 3-0 series lead, the Kings were paced by center Anze Kopitar as they took control.

He scored all four of his goals and seven of his 10 series points over those last four games. If Kopitar and his line are better than the top Sharks, the Kings will be hard to beat.

Almost All the Kings' Men Are Back

Of the 20 players who suited up in the Stanley Cup series last spring, the Kings have 19 back, with defenseman Robyn Regehr filling in for the departed Willie Mitchell. And 21 of the 23 members who made the opening-day roster this year were part of last year's champion team. 

Although they've played a lot of hockey over the past three seasons, winning titles in two of them, the Kings have the kind of depth and balance most teams dream of.

The dynasty talk has begun.

"If they win back-to-back, you have to start using that (dynasty) word," NBC analyst Ed Olczyk told USA Today's Kevin Allen.

Does a Stripped-Down Joe Thornton Still Have Bite?

Joe Thornton wore the captain's C for four seasons before having it taken away this summer as the Sharks decided they needed some sort of shake up after last spring's playoff implosion, but one that didn't include shipping a player out of town.

At least not yet.

"

Just saw the Sharks lineup and they have Joe Thornton centering a GPS and a UHaul. Should we read something into this or...

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 3, 2014"

Thornton is notoriously easy going. That part of his personality is one of the main reasons some question his heart. He told NHL.com's Eric Gilmore the move doesn't make him feel any different, and teammate Marc-Edouard Vlasic backed that up:

"

Nothing bothers him, but he's motivated more than ever to prove (people) wrong. When a 'C' or an 'A' gets taken away from you, I don't know how it feels, but maybe you've got something to prove. Joe's a guy that we believe in, and we need him to be his best, and he is and he will be.

"

It's hard to argue against statistics. Thornton put up 76 points and 65 assists last season to lead the team (second most in the NHL). He was also the team's top possession player.

Prediction: Sharks 3, Kings 1

All stats via NHL.com and Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com

Steve Macfarlane has covered the NHL for more than a decade, including seven seasons following the Flames for the Calgary Sun. Follow him on Twitter @macfarlaneHKY.