Canucks vs. Bruins: The Rematch 2.5 Years Later

I've often said one of Gary Bettman's biggest failings is not having every team play in every NHL city at least once a year.

The league has corrected that this season, finally. But for far too many years those powerful Eastern owners hogged Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby all to themselves. Did you know that prior to this season Crosby has only played in Vancouver twice in his career? One thing is for sure - in the 1980s the Eastern owners made sure Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers travelled to every rink.

Another example of this failing: Tonight the Boston Bruins finally return to the scene of the crime as they make their first visit to Vancouver since winning the Stanley Cup in 2011. Can you imagine that? No Stanley Cup rematch is wrong. Two and a half years later the teams have changed so much and much of the rivalry has gone, as have many of the players.

I will be in Rogers Arena tonight. I vow to boo as loud as I can. Yes, the Bruins. But if the Canucks home-ice woes this season continue I might just boo them, too.