Excitement is mounting as the Vancouver Canucks prepare to square off against the Nashville Predators on Sunday night in the opening round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Puck drop for the first game in the best-of-seven series takes place at Rogers Arena at 7 p.m. PT on Sunday.
The Canucks won all three games against the Predators in the regular season. Vancouver and Nashville haven’t played against each other in the playoffs since 2011, when the Canucks won six games in the Western Conference semifinals.
While neither team has won the Stanley Cup, Vancouver has advanced to the final three times. During its most recent shot in 2011, the Canucks lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins.
The Canucks finished top of the Pacific Division in the regular season, and the team last played home playoff games in 2015.
Here’s what you need to know about the Canucks’ upcoming playoff series.
Canucks fans came out to enjoy the last home game before the playoffs. The NHL has said the first playoff game could be as soon as this weekend.
How long will the playoff series last?
Game one of the series begins at 7 p.m. PT on Sunday at Rogers Arena. Game two is expected to take place Tuesday.
Games three and four will be held in Nashville on April 26 and 28.
Both teams would return to Vancouver for game five on April 30, before returning to Nashville on May 3 to compete in game six, if necessary.
If the series goes the distance, the puck will drop for game seven at Rogers Arena on May 5.
Expect traffic disruptions on game days
The City of Vancouver is reminding those who attend the games of various road closures, which are expected to cause traffic disruptions for anyone travelling in and out of downtown.
Taking transit, walking or cycling will be the best options to get around town on game days, a city statement read.
Lachlan Irvine, Canucks Army writer, says fair-weather Vancouver Canucks fans have used their time wisely — and the sport needs casual fans, too.
Const. Tania Visintin, a Vancouver Police Department spokesperson, said additional officers will be deployed throughout the city on game days, with people expected to travel from around the region.
“You’ll see extra officers around SkyTrain and Canada Line stations, and we’ll be conducting traffic enforcement to ensure people are driving sober,” she said. “We encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly.”
Are viewing parties planned?
Rogers Arena will host an official “away game viewing party” for game three when the Canucks are in Nashville, though the arena has not yet announced future viewing parties.
The City of Delta, meanwhile, announced this week it will host watch parties at Social Heart Plaza for every game during the Canucks’ playoff run.
4 years since the last appearance. 9 years since we could last cheer a playoff team on home ice, together. <br><br>We’re due for some magic. <br><br>Join us for playoff hockey at the FREE Canucks viewing party. Social Heart Plaza on April 21, 7pm. <a href=”https://t.co/jBxHy62dtJ”>pic.twitter.com/jBxHy62dtJ</a>
—@CityofDeltaBC
“It’s been nine years since our community has had the opportunity to come together in person and cheer on the Canucks in the playoffs,” said Mayor George Harvie in a statement issued Friday.
“We encourage everyone to … be part of the excitement as we rally behind the Canucks during their playoff journey.”
Vancouver Canucks games will be broadcast live on Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet 650 radio.
Mayor hails great season
Staff from the City of Vancouver said it is thrilled to see the Canucks in the Stanley Cup playoffs, with Mayor Ken Sim saying it has been a great season.
“As a lifelong fan, I’m thrilled to cheer them on as they enter the playoffs,” he said in a statement.
“Win or lose, let’s make our home team proud and celebrate every game with the unmatched passion and respect that defines our city.”
Increased pedestrian traffic from the playoffs is good news for businesses throughout Metro Vancouver that have yet to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
“It’s great news when we have more people coming downtown at a time when restaurants are really suffering,” she told CBC News.