Folks, virtually nobody projected that the Calgary Flames (37-27-14, 88 points) would be anywhere close to the Stanley Cup playoffs when the season began. And while the year has had its ups and downs, the Flames are still alive in the playoff race. But Friday night’s game with the Minnesota Wild (43-29-7, 93 points) at the Saddledome is, very much, a do-or-die contest for the Flames. If they lose, they’re functionally eliminated from the post-season race. If they win, they remain in the race a little bit longer. Can the Flames bounce back from a tough finish in Anaheim and tame the Wild?

Today’s broadcast begins at 8 p.m. MT on Sportsnet West and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

Projected lines via Daily Faceoff:

Jonathan Huberdeau – Nazem Kadri – Adam Klapka
Blake Coleman – Mikael Backlund – Matt Coronato
Yegor Sharangovich – Morgan Frost – Joel Farabee
Ryan Lomberg – Kevin Rooney – Martin Pospisil

Kevin Bahl – Rasmus Andersson
Joel Hanley – MacKenzie Weegar
Jake Bean – Brayden Pachal

We’re projecting Dustin Wolf to start in net, backed up by Dan Vladar. The projected extras look to be Daniil Miromanov, Zayne Parekh, Dryden Hunt and Aydar Suniev. Morgan Frost left Wednesday’s game in the third period with an injury, but appears to be good to go for Friday night.

The Flames played well against Anaheim… until they didn’t. They had a 3-1 lead in the third period, but some defensive lapses and uncharacteristic lack of composure in a close game cost them a huge point against the Ducks. The Flames will need to play their structured, pace-filled game against the Wild and be patient. They’ve been a smart, composed team for much of this season. They’ll need to lean on those qualities against the Wild.

Projected lines via Daily Faceoff:

Kirill Kaprizov – Marco Rossi – Mats Zuccarello
Marcus Foligno – Joel Eriksson Ek – Matt Boldy
Marcus Johansson – Freddie Gaudreau – Gustav Nyquist
Yakov Trenin – Ryan Hartman – Justin Brazeau

Jonas Brodin – Brock Faber
Declan Chisholm – Jared Spurgeon
Jon Merrill – Zach Bogosian

We’re projecting Filip Gustavsson to start in net, backed up by Marc-Andre Fleury. The projected extras are Vinnie Hinostroza and Cameron Crotty.

The Wild haven’t been spectacular lately, but they got a boost on Wednesday night when both Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returned to the lineup. The good news? The Wild scored eight goals! The bad news? They allowed seven goals and needed overtime to beat the San Jose Sharks. The Wild need to be better defensively, but they’re a formidable group offensively.

The Flames are without Anthony Mantha, Justin Kirkland and Connor Zary.

The Wild are without Jacob Middleton.

This is the third and final meeting between these clubs this season. The Flames won each of the first two games against the Wild, but both were one-goal games. Heck, one was in a shootout.