I think Friday will be a good tell of where we are at.
The Nucks, good or bad, bring energy to their games, even in pre-season. Last pre-season we half assed it in Vancouver with pretty comparable lineups if I recall, and we got smoked. Then we proceeded to get smoked in the first regular season game when we decided to bring approximately the same degree of effort as the pre-season game.
Until this group actually shows up and brings it for once without effectively being forced into it after embarrassing themselves, I will always assume that the start will be uneven. I have no idea why it is, but they always, always need to be kicked in the balls before they play the right way.