Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks Tonight

Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

I’ll be honest, I’m completely biased about tonight’s game because I’m not the biggest fan of the Vancouver Canucks. Regardless, considering that both teams are coming closer to each other in the standings, tonight’s match-up will be deserving.

While Calgary has won 9 of their last 13 games, the Canucks seem to have been in a tail-spin. With Luongo shipped back to Floridam Ryan Kesler remaining in Vancouver, and the Sedins out due to injuries, the Canucks are in a downward spiral of losses lately, losing 4 of their last 5. The most recent loss was on Thursday when they were walked on by the Dallas Stars with a score of 6-1.

The Flames won in an epic comeback against the Islanders last night. After being down 3-1 in the second period, Calgary picked up their pace and scored not only 2 goals to tie the game, but 3 goals in the third period to take the win.

Tonight, the Flames are looking to move ahead of the Islanders in the standings with a win against the Canucks. With 57 points, Calgary is now in 26th place while Vancouver sits in 22nd place with 66 points. It’s a large margin, but not an impossible task for the Flames to continue their win streak and gain points against the west coast team.

With Zack Kassian out of the Canucks line-up because of a boarding suspension against Dallas Stars player Brenden Dillon, Vancouver will be without some grit and defensive power against the Flames Brian McGrattan, Lance Bouma, and offensive efforts of Sean Monahan, Markus Granlund, and Joe Colborne. With Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, and the brick wall we all know as Ladislav Smid to back up the Flames blue line, the Canucks will have to pick up the pace to beat the Flames during tonight’s tilt.

The projected line-ups are on the Flames website and it doesn’t look like much has changed from last night. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, in my opinion.