FGD 25: The Flames host the Stars (7pm MT, SN1)

After a couple days off, the Calgary Flames (14-9-1, 29 points) are back in action as they host the Dallas Stars (12-10-3, 27 points) at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames are well-rested, while the Stars played last night in Edmonton.

The puck drops just after 7 p.m. MT on Sportsnet One and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

David Rittich returns to the net after backing up Mike Smith against Arizona, backed up by Smith. Dalton Prout, fresh from his AHL conditioning sting, and Ryan Lomberg are the healthy scratches with Juuso Valimaki sidelined.

The Flames have seemingly found their stride since their thumping at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins way back on Oct. 25. They’ve got 9-4-1 since then and aside from a few miscues here and there, they’re a much better structural hockey club in all three zones. Considering how much of a dumpster fire the Pacific Division is right now, it would behoove the Flames to stash as many points as they can right now – before the rest of the division has a chance to get their act together.

The Flames enter tonight’s action in sole possession of first place in the Pacific.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

The Stars played last night in Edmonton and lost 1-0 in overtime. Anton Khudobin started last night and he’ll start again tonight, backed up by Landon Bow. Last night’s healthy scrathes were Brett Ritchie, Julius Honka and Gemel Smith, so potentially at least one of them slot in against the Flames.

The Stars are the hockey embodiment of Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. They’re a well constructed team with tons of high-end talent and good young depth, but for whatever reason they just cannot put it all together. Did you know they’re missing four regular defensemen right now? And their starting goaltender? It’s tough sledding for the Stars, a club that is due for some good luck sooner or later.

The Flames are without Juuso Valimaki, Michael Frolik and Michael Stone.

The Stars are without Martin Hanzal, Stephen Johns, John Klingberg, Connor Carrick, Marc Methot and Ben Bishop.

This is the first of three meetings between these two teams this season.

Your Stars Twitter follows for tonight:

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