Game Preview: Flames Try Again Against Those Pesky Stars

Calgary Flames have yet another game against the Dallas Stars, second one in 55 hours.  The only difference is this one is at home in the Saddledome.  What do the Flames have facing them in this game?  The desperate need for 4 points over the next 6 games.  Currently sitting 3 points behind 3 teams (LA Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Colorado Avalanche), the Flames need to pick up as many points as they can in the 360 minutes left in their regular season.  But in true Flames fashion, it won’t be the easiest journey.

Their first obstacle is the Stars, when the puck drops the Stars will be in 3rd place with 87 points.  Battling with the Phoenix Coyotes for that third place spot will be in their minds the entire game.  Unfortunately this will not give the Flames an edge seeing as the Flames will be equally distracted in their quest for securing a playoff berth.

Saturday afternoon was nothing short of a train wreck for the Flames, in terms of morale, as the Stars managed to fire off two goals in under 8 minutes of the initial faceoff.  Flames have to go into this knowing the Stars are equally in dire need of points to hold their position in the playoff race.

Flames almost have a full roster back, with Mikael Backlund the last of the oft-injured Flames still waiting to return to the ice.  Backlund has been out of the line up since February 12th with a shoulder injury.

The super stars of the Flames have hit a rough spot at the worst time in the season.  Each player needs to be at their best and well the best of the best are struggling to make their presence known out on the ice.  What do I mean?

• Olli Jokinen has gone 7 games in a row without registering a point.
• Jarome Iginla has gone 5 games in a row without a point.
• Curtis Glencross is 3 games into a point drought.
• Matt Stajan is one of the best performing forwards in the last few games.

There is a problem when Matt Stajan is becoming the player the Flames rely on for points.  Flames will not see the playoffs if everything rests on his shoulders.

The puck drops tonight at 7pm with two teams battling it out for a playoff berth.  Should be an exciting game if the Flames show up.  Here’s hoping.

Go Flames Go!