<p>Aside from the Edmonton Oilers, the biggest rival for the <strong>Calgary Flames (20-13-6, 46 points)</strong> is probably the <strong>Vancouver Canucks (19-19-5, 43 points)</strong>. So it&#8217;s quite a weird scheduling quirk that Saturday night, in the 41st game for the Flames this season, is the first meeting between the two clubs this season. Vancouver&#8217;s had a challenging up and down season and swapped out coaches, while the Flames have been hot, cold, and occasionally riddled with COVID. We&#8217;ll see which version of these two clubs show up at puck drop.</p>
<p>This game gets going just after 8 p.m. MT. You can catch the action on CBC, Sportsnet&#8217;s national feed and City TV, and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.</p>
<p><a href="https://canucksarmy.com/"><em><strong>For a look from the other side, check out Canucks Army!</strong></em></a></p>
<p></p>
<h2><strong>The Flames</strong></h2>
<p>Projected lines <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/calgary-flames/line-combinations/">via Daily Faceoff</a>:</p>
<p>Gaudreau &#8211; Lindholm &#8211; Tkachuk<br />
Coleman &#8211; Backlund &#8211; Mangiapane<br />
Lucic &#8211; Monahan &#8211; Dube<br />
Lewis &#8211; Ruzicka &#8211; Ritchie</p>
<p>Hanifin &#8211; Andersson<br />
Kylington &#8211; Tanev<br />
Zadorov &#8211; Gudbranson</p>
<p>Jacob Markström starts for the Flames, backed up by Dan Vladar. The extras on the active roster are Michael Stone, Brad Richardson and Tyler Pitlick (who is reportedly dealing with a minor injury), while Connor Mackey and Byron Froese are on the taxi squad. The Flames make zero changes from their lineup from their prior three games.</p>
<p>The Flames have played generally well over the past five or six games. They&#8217;ve gotten good results in some of those games, but in some of their games they&#8217;ve had a challenge translating zone time and puck possession into scoring chances &#8211; and in turning scoring chances into goals.</p>
<p>The big challenge for the Flames this season, and right now, is secondary scoring. Their top line has been full marks in all three zones, and particularly the offensive zone. But they need more chances and goals from essentially everybody else wearing red.</p>
<h2><strong>The Canucks<br />
</strong></h2>
<p>Projected lines <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/vancouver-canucks/line-combinations/">via Daily Faceoff</a>:</p>
<p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Podkolzin &#8211; Miller &#8211; Boeser<br />
Pettersson &#8211; Horvat &#8211; Garland<br />
Motte &#8211; Lammikko &#8211; Highmore<br />
Hoglander- Dickinson &#8211; Chiasson<br />
</span></p>
<p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Ekman-Larsson &#8211; Myers<br />
Hughes &#8211; Schenn<br />
Hunt &#8211; Juulsen<br />
</span></p>
<p>Thatcher Demko starts for Vancouver, backed up by Jaroslav Halak. Their active extras are Kyle Burroughs, Colton Poolman and Justin Dowling. Justin Bailey, Ashton Sautner, and Spencer Martin are on the taxi squad.</p>
<p>The Canucks have had a weird year. A bunch of players got hurt. A bunch of players got COVID. The entire team played like they were waiting for a coaching change. Then the coaching staff and general manager got the axe, being replaced by Bruce Boudreau (who&#8217;s 11-4-3 since arriving) and a gradually evolving group of smart hockey operations hires &#8211; most recently advance stats whiz Rachel Doerrie, ace agent Émilie Castonguay as an assistant general manager, and new general manager Patrik Allvin.</p>
<p>The creeping dread in Vancouver has been replaced by a sense of optimism, and that&#8217;s carried over onto the ice. They&#8217;re a fascinating group and one to keep an eye on over the remainder of this season.</p>
<h2><strong>The numbers</strong></h2>
<table style="height: 154px" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px"></td>
<td style="height: 22px">Calgary</td>
<td style="height: 22px">Vancouver</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Wins</td>
<td style="height: 22px">20</td>
<td style="height: 22px">19</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Points (%)</td>
<td style="height: 22px">46 (.590)</td>
<td style="height: 22px">43 (.500)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Adjusted Corsi For</td>
<td style="height: 22px">56.5%</td>
<td style="height: 22px">49.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Expected Goals For</td>
<td style="height: 22px">55.1%</td>
<td style="height: 22px">49.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Power Play</td>
<td style="height: 22px">22.6%</td>
<td style="height: 22px">20.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Penalty Kill</td>
<td style="height: 22px">83.3%</td>
<td style="height: 22px">68.6%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2><strong>Unfit to play</strong></h2>
<p>The Flames are without Tyler Pitlick.</p>
<p>The Canucks are without Guillaume Brisebois, Brady Keeper, Brandon Sutter, Micheal Ferland, Travis Hamonic and Tanner Pearson.</p>
<h2><strong>When last we met</strong></h2>
<p>The Flames faced the Canucks back in May, beating them 6-2. Their last three games in last year&#8217;s regular season actually took place during the Stanley Cup playoffs due to some rescheduling, because life during the pandemic is (at best) quite odd and bewildering.</p>
<h2><strong>Know thy enemy</strong></h2>
<p>Your recommended Twitter follows for tonight&#8217;s contest:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/QuadreIli">David Quadrelli</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy">Canucks Army</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/ThomasDrance">Thomas Drance</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/purchase-options/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer follow" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/purchase-options/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1637192862258000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dLuPqW6rbyceDwC6Lbc9o">THIS ARTICLE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DAILYFACEOFF</a></h2>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/6X0Dv3_3PYFPZkrLaCbWeYHXMWzAuuXH7t2JLsFB1K2CKHzv26F60yZHHLRR12FCRBsmykWDyeegP6hZLXPKs-Eh0ldWPAdIalTDjc6NK66QBuw7_5ft-rH7CN3uSSVIFr216hvo7Hon19ua7JUBjO1KV9pf7iUjZeLTRUvNVMf6EPrRW0k=s0-d-e1-ft#https://i1.wp.com/publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DailyFaceoff-Fantasy-Tools.png?resize=796%2C265&amp;ssl=1" alt="" width="796" height="265" /></p>
<p>Looking to up your fantasy hockey game? DailyFaceoff has the tools you need for both daily and season-long fantasy leagues, including a lineup optimizer, daily projections, and a whole lot more. <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/purchase-options/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer follow" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/purchase-options/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1637192862258000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dLuPqW6rbyceDwC6Lbc9o">Sign up for the DailyFaceoff tools here.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://flamesnation.ca/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1643426444783000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ZoMy36-f05a90iD5z8D6E"><strong>More from Flames Nation</strong></a></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/27/flamesnation-radio-episode-16-addressing-defensive-depth/">FlamesNation Radio Episode 16: addressing defensive depth</a></li>
<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/27/johnny-gaudreau-hart-trophy-2022/" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener v:url noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/27/johnny-gaudreau-hart-trophy-2022/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1643426444783000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1n2143_gkYeTPjOTJYGH8w">Johnny Gaudreau should receive significant consideration for the Hart Trophy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/25/ben-chiarot-flames-rumour/" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener v:url noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/25/ben-chiarot-flames-rumour/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1643426444783000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3f_btX3Xr688n--7mfgyeB">Friedman: Flames “looking into” acquiring Canadiens defenceman Ben Chiarot</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

Aside from the Edmonton Oilers, the biggest rival for the <strong>Calgary Flames (20-13-6, 46 points)</strong> is probably the <strong>Vancouver Canucks (19-19-5, 43 points)</strong>. So it's quite a weird scheduling quirk that Saturday night, in the 41st game for the Flames this season, is the first meeting between the two clubs this season. Vancouver's had a challenging up and down season and swapped out coaches, while the Flames have been hot, cold, and occasionally riddled with COVID. We'll see which version of these two clubs show up at puck drop.

This game gets going just after 8 p.m. MT. You can catch the action on CBC, Sportsnet's national feed and City TV, and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

<a href="https://canucksarmy.com/"><em><strong>For a look from the other side, check out Canucks Army!</strong></em></a>


<h2><strong>The Flames</strong></h2>
Projected lines <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/calgary-flames/line-combinations/">via Daily Faceoff</a>:

Gaudreau - Lindholm - Tkachuk
Coleman - Backlund - Mangiapane
Lucic - Monahan - Dube
Lewis - Ruzicka - Ritchie

Hanifin - Andersson
Kylington - Tanev
Zadorov - Gudbranson

Jacob Markström starts for the Flames, backed up by Dan Vladar. The extras on the active roster are Michael Stone, Brad Richardson and Tyler Pitlick (who is reportedly dealing with a minor injury), while Connor Mackey and Byron Froese are on the taxi squad. The Flames make zero changes from their lineup from their prior three games.

The Flames have played generally well over the past five or six games. They've gotten good results in some of those games, but in some of their games they've had a challenge translating zone time and puck possession into scoring chances - and in turning scoring chances into goals.

The big challenge for the Flames this season, and right now, is secondary scoring. Their top line has been full marks in all three zones, and particularly the offensive zone. But they need more chances and goals from essentially everybody else wearing red.
<h2><strong>The Canucks
</strong></h2>
Projected lines <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/vancouver-canucks/line-combinations/">via Daily Faceoff</a>:

<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Podkolzin - Miller - Boeser
Pettersson - Horvat - Garland
Motte - Lammikko - Highmore
Hoglander- Dickinson - Chiasson
</span>

<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Ekman-Larsson - Myers
Hughes - Schenn
Hunt - Juulsen
</span>

Thatcher Demko starts for Vancouver, backed up by Jaroslav Halak. Their active extras are Kyle Burroughs, Colton Poolman and Justin Dowling. Justin Bailey, Ashton Sautner, and Spencer Martin are on the taxi squad.

The Canucks have had a weird year. A bunch of players got hurt. A bunch of players got COVID. The entire team played like they were waiting for a coaching change. Then the coaching staff and general manager got the axe, being replaced by Bruce Boudreau (who's 11-4-3 since arriving) and a gradually evolving group of smart hockey operations hires - most recently advance stats whiz Rachel Doerrie, ace agent Émilie Castonguay as an assistant general manager, and new general manager Patrik Allvin.

The creeping dread in Vancouver has been replaced by a sense of optimism, and that's carried over onto the ice. They're a fascinating group and one to keep an eye on over the remainder of this season.
<h2><strong>The numbers</strong></h2>
<table style="height: 154px" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px"></td>
<td style="height: 22px">Calgary</td>
<td style="height: 22px">Vancouver</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Wins</td>
<td style="height: 22px">20</td>
<td style="height: 22px">19</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Points (%)</td>
<td style="height: 22px">46 (.590)</td>
<td style="height: 22px">43 (.500)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Adjusted Corsi For</td>
<td style="height: 22px">56.5%</td>
<td style="height: 22px">49.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Expected Goals For</td>
<td style="height: 22px">55.1%</td>
<td style="height: 22px">49.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Power Play</td>
<td style="height: 22px">22.6%</td>
<td style="height: 22px">20.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px">
<td style="height: 22px">Penalty Kill</td>
<td style="height: 22px">83.3%</td>
<td style="height: 22px">68.6%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2><strong>Unfit to play</strong></h2>
The Flames are without Tyler Pitlick.

The Canucks are without Guillaume Brisebois, Brady Keeper, Brandon Sutter, Micheal Ferland, Travis Hamonic and Tanner Pearson.
<h2><strong>When last we met</strong></h2>
The Flames faced the Canucks back in May, beating them 6-2. Their last three games in last year's regular season actually took place during the Stanley Cup playoffs due to some rescheduling, because life during the pandemic is (at best) quite odd and bewildering.
<h2><strong>Know thy enemy</strong></h2>
Your recommended Twitter follows for tonight's contest:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://twitter.com/QuadreIli">David Quadrelli</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy">Canucks Army</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://twitter.com/ThomasDrance">Thomas Drance</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/purchase-options/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer follow" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/purchase-options/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1637192862258000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dLuPqW6rbyceDwC6Lbc9o">THIS ARTICLE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DAILYFACEOFF</a></h2>
<img class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/6X0Dv3_3PYFPZkrLaCbWeYHXMWzAuuXH7t2JLsFB1K2CKHzv26F60yZHHLRR12FCRBsmykWDyeegP6hZLXPKs-Eh0ldWPAdIalTDjc6NK66QBuw7_5ft-rH7CN3uSSVIFr216hvo7Hon19ua7JUBjO1KV9pf7iUjZeLTRUvNVMf6EPrRW0k=s0-d-e1-ft#https://i1.wp.com/publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DailyFaceoff-Fantasy-Tools.png?resize=796%2C265&amp;ssl=1" alt="" width="796" height="265" />

Looking to up your fantasy hockey game? DailyFaceoff has the tools you need for both daily and season-long fantasy leagues, including a lineup optimizer, daily projections, and a whole lot more. <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/purchase-options/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer follow" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/purchase-options/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1637192862258000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dLuPqW6rbyceDwC6Lbc9o">Sign up for the DailyFaceoff tools here.</a>

<a href="https://flamesnation.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://flamesnation.ca/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1643426444783000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ZoMy36-f05a90iD5z8D6E"><strong>More from Flames Nation</strong></a>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/27/flamesnation-radio-episode-16-addressing-defensive-depth/">FlamesNation Radio Episode 16: addressing defensive depth</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/27/johnny-gaudreau-hart-trophy-2022/" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener v:url noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/27/johnny-gaudreau-hart-trophy-2022/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1643426444783000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1n2143_gkYeTPjOTJYGH8w">Johnny Gaudreau should receive significant consideration for the Hart Trophy</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/25/ben-chiarot-flames-rumour/" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener v:url noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://flamesnation.ca/2022/01/25/ben-chiarot-flames-rumour/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1643426444783000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3f_btX3Xr688n--7mfgyeB">Friedman: Flames “looking into” acquiring Canadiens defenceman Ben Chiarot</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

Flames Game Day 40: Hockey Day with the Canucks (8pm MT, CBC/SN/City)

Recent articles from Ryan Pike

Breaking News