FGD 45: Back home against Colorado (7:30pm MT, SN West)

After winning three times on their four game road trip, the Calgary Flames (27-13-4, 58 points) are back at home. They kick off a lengthy five game homestand tonight at the Saddledome against the Colorado Avalanche (20-15-8, 48 points), who lost last night in Winnipeg.

The action kicks off at 7:30 p.m. MT on Sportsnet West and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

David Rittich starts for the 23rd time this season for the Flames, backed up by Mike Smith. Oliver Kylington and Andrew Mangiapane are the projected scratches. The team’s reliable shutdown trio (the 3M Line) reunites for a game against arguably the NHL’s top trio, while Kylington sits after sitting for the final 34 minutes of Monday’s game in Chicago. Dalton Prout comes back in, perhaps as an evaluation tool (as the Flames have been oft-rumoured to be looking for left sidedepth on the blueline).

The Flames haven’t played a full 60 minutes in a few games. The good news is they’ve been good enough to win despite that, as they’re a team with a lot of offensive weapons that can tilt a game seemingly at the drop of a hat. But you have to think that Bill Peters wants more from his club, particularly some in-game consistency and better starts.

The Avalanche are going to be an ornery bunch after giving up a touchdown in Winnipeg last evening, so a good start for the Flames might be very important to getting another two points.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

Since Philipp Grubauer started in Winnipeg, expect Semyon Varlamov to start tonight against the Flames. The healthy scratch last night was Gabriel Bourque, so expect him to rotate back in most likely.

The Avalanche played the Jets last night. Their special teams were found wanting, as they gave up three power play goals and a shorthanded goal to the Jets. Colorado out-shot Winnipeg 41-21, but the special teams performances were the big difference.

Colorado isn’t as terrifying as they once were, but that top line is legit. Expect an interesting chess match as the Flames try to negate them.

The Flames are without Juuso Valimaki and Michael Stone.

The Avalanche are without Mark Barberio, Vladislav Kamenev, Nikita Zadorov and Colin Wilson.

Tonight is the third and final game between these teams this season. The Flames beat Colorado 3-2 in overtime back in October and 6-5 back in November.

Your Avalanche Twitter follows for tonight:

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