FGD 61: A matinee with the Ducks (2pm MT, SN West)

On Saturday night, the Calgary Flames (30-24-6, 66 points) had a game against a non-playoff team get away from them. On Monday afternoon, they hope that they can bounce back in another game against a non-playoff opponent. They host the Anaheim Ducks (24-27-7, 55 points), who beat the Vancouver Canucks in a matinee game on Sunday.

The puck drops just after 2 p.m. MT on Sportsnet West and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

Here’s our best guess for lines given all the things currently up in the air: Cam Talbot starts for the Flames, backed up by David Rittich. The extras are Brandon Davidson and Buddy Robinson. Neither of Derek Ryan or Mikael Backlund skated yesterday due to illness. There’s a chance there will be a recall and the Flames will go with a lean, flu-ridden roster.

So, uh, the Flames went Full Flames on Saturday and lost to Chicago. Both goalies gave up four goals. Neither was really to blame, but neither guy was a difference-maker. The Flames have played three really good games in their past five, but their defensive leakiness and variable battle levels against Los Angeles and Chicago are problems they’ll need to overcome.

If the Flames are willing to out-work a scrappy Ducks team that played yesterday and then traveled to Calgary, they’ll have a good shot at earning two points.

Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:

Ryan Miller starts for the Ducks after John Gibson started yesterday in Vancouver. The extra healthy body yesterday was Michael del Zotto.

The Ducks beat Vancouver 5-1 on Sunday afternoon. They were opportunistic, but they also worked hard. It was a nice bounce-back after they looked pretty rough against Calgary in Anaheim on Thursday night. The Ducks haven’t had a great year and they’re stretched thin by injuries, but they’re still a group capable of winning any given game if they bring their work boots.

The Flames are without D Juuso Valimaki (ACL surgery), D Mark Giordano (hamstring) and D Travis Hamonic (upper body).

The Ducks are missing F Ryan Kesler (hip), F Patrick Eaves (long-term illness), D Erik Gudbranson (upper body) and F Ondrej Kase (short-term illness).

This is Game 3 of 4 between these clubs this season. The Flames won both games earlier this season in Anaheim by a combined 8-1 score – that’s primarily driven by last week’s 6-0 win. They’ll play one more time in late March in Calgary.

Here are some key Twitter peeps to follow for tonight: