FGD 55: A battle on the west coast (8pm MT, CBC)

Two Canadian teams clash in a potential playoff preview on Hockey Day in Canada. The Calgary Flames (34-15-5, 73 points) head to the coast to visit the surprising Vancouver Canucks (24-24-7, 55 points). A Canucks win would push them into a playoff spot, while a Flames win would push them one step closer to clinching a playoff berth.

The action kicks off at 8 p.m. MT on CBC, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet One, City TV and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

David Rittich starts for the Flames, backed up by Mike Smith. Dalton Prout and Austin Czarnik are the projected healthy scratches

The Flames have lost two of their three games since the All-Star Break. They’ve been in all three games, but they arguably have yet to put together a complete game where all their lines are contributing. Against a team that just seems to get under their skin, expect the Flames to be emotionally invested from the opening puck drop.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

Jacob Markstrom starts for Vancouver, backed up by Michael DiPietro. Guillaume Brisebois and Tim Schaller are the projected healthy scratches.

The Canucks have played four games since the break. They beat Colorado in a very one-sided game and have followed that up with three pretty close losses against Philadelphia, Washington and Chicago. They’re a young, inexperienced group that’s full of piss and vinegar, but sometimes can’t quite execute when games are on the line. But they’re a fast, talented team that will be a challenge for the Flames.

The Flames are without Michael Stone.

The Canucks are without Sven Baertschi, Thatcher Demko and Alexander Edler.

This is the third of five games between Calgary and Vancouver. The Flames have a regulation win, an overtime loss and a regulation loss so far. They’ll close out the season series in Vancouver in mid-March.

Your Canucks Twitter follows for tonight:

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