Calgary Flames Game Day 59: Trying to beat the house in Vegas (7pm MT, SNW/SN1/960)

Photo credit:© Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

1 year ago

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Less than 24 hours after a dramatic win in Tempe, the Calgary Flames (27-20-11, 65 points) head to America’s playground looking for another big result when they visit the Vegas Golden Knights (34-18-5, 73 points). It’s a big divisional clash and a chance for the Flames to guarantee that they head home from their road trip with more than half of the available points.

The broadcast begins at 7 p.m. MT on Sportsnet West, Sportsnet One and Sportsnet 960 The Fan!

The Flames

Projected lines courtesy Daily Faceoff:

Dube – Lindholm – Toffoli
Pelletier – Kadri – Huberdeau
Mangiapane – Backlund – Coleman
Lucic – Lewis – Duehr

Hanifin – Andersson
Weegar – Tanev
Zadorov – Gilbert

It’s a back-to-back, so there’s no morning skate and we’re guessing a lot in terms of lineup stuff. It’s a back-to-back, so we’re assuming Jacob Markstrom starts, backed up by Dan Vladar. (We wouldn’t be shocked if Vladar gets this game, though, given he only faced 14 shots in Arizona.) The projected extras are Connor Mackey, Brett Ritchie and Adam Ruzicka.

The Flames got goals from six different players – including three power play goals – in their 6-3 win on Wednesday in Tempe. They’ll need to keep their offensive mojo going when they head to Vegas, as historically the Flames have (a) struggled to defend against Vegas and (b) struggled to score against Vegas.

The Flames need standings points any way they can get ’em at this point in their season. Two points against Vegas would be very big for their playoff chances.

The Golden Knights

Projected lines courtesy Daily Faceoff:

Cotter – Eichel – Marchessault
Smith – Karlsson – Amadio
Carrier – Stephenson – Kessel
Howden – Froese – Kolesar

Martinez – Pietrangelo
McNabb – Theodore
Hague – Whitecloud

We’re projecting Laurent Brossoit to start, backed up by Michael Hutchinson. (Adin Hill is out day-to-day. Logan Thompson is out week-to-week but is on the active roster still.) The only extra healthy body Vegas has right now is Ben Hutton. Nicolas Roy was reportedly absent from morning skate, and Vegas has called up former Flame Byron Froese from the AHL.

Vegas is both wracked with significant injuries this season, and somehow finding a way to thrive in the mess that is the Pacific Division. They’re missing captain Mark Stone and star rookie goalie Logan Thompson, but they Golden Misfits keep ambling on. They’re well-coached and well-balanced and tough to beat.

The Flames have never won a game at T-Mobile Arena. They’ve only had a lead in that building for 2:09 across seven games.

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Unavailable players

The Flames are without Oliver Kylington and Michael Stone.

The Golden Knights are without Robin Lehner, Daniil Miromanov, Nolan Patrick, Mark Stone, Logan Thompson and Adin Hill.

It’s a race!

The Flames enter Thursday’s action two points behind Minnesota for the second Western Conference wild-card spot, but the Wild have a game in hand. (They’re five points behind Edmonton for the first wild-card and five points behind Seattle for the third Pacific Division spot, but the Kraken have a game in hand.)