Calgary Flames Daily: Game Day, Bartkowski Could Make Flames Debut

Jan 7, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks center Brendan Gaunce (50) steers the puck away from Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks center Brendan Gaunce (50) steers the puck away from Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports /
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Good afternoon Calgary Flames fans! It’s game day and the Flames will be taking on the Vancouver Canucks tonight. Let’s take a look at Flames news.

The Calgary Flames will begin their five-game road trip against the Vancouver Canucks tonight. This will be the fourth meeting between the two. The Canucks have won two of them, but the Flames still have three points against them this season.

This game will be crucial for the Flames. Right now, they’re sitting in the second wild-card position. However, they have just one point more than the LA Kings and the Kings have two games on hand. If the Flames can manage to get two points tonight and the Kings lose in regulation tonight, that’ll put Flames in a more comfortable spot.

Also keeping in mind that the Canucks are just five points back, so if the Canucks can win in regulation, they’ll close that gap as well.

Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames /

Calgary Flames

Something else about tonight’s game is the possibility for Matt Bartkowski to make his Flames debut. Matt Bartkowski was signed to a two-year two-way deal on Thursday. The Flames haven’t released their lineup yet and head coach Glen Gulutzan didn’t have a definitive answer yesterday.

Via Calgary Herald:

"“I’m not sure on that one, I want to sleep on it,” said Gulutzan. “We wanted to make sure he got through a good practice here. (Thursday) we gave him our five-on-five plan. But like I said, Bart’s familiar with a lot of what we do … we’ll make a decision (Saturday). It’ll either be (Bartowski) or Joki (Jyrki Jokipakka).”"

So if it’s either him of Jokipakka, looks like Dennis Wideman‘s in the lineup tonight. Sorry guys. I was hopeful too.

Some links surrounding the Flames to get you through your day

Bartkowski could make Flames debut vs. Canucks (Calgary Herald).

West Coast Bias: Gaudreau, Gulutzan growing through growing pains (Sportsnet).

Preview: Flames @ Canucks (Calgary Flames).

Some other links surrounding hockey and the NHL

Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Saturday picks (Yahoo Sports).

Hickey on Hockey: Canadiens GM might have trade surprise in works (Montreal Gazette).

Report: Seattle arena investor says NHL team will likely come before NBA (Sportsnet).

Next: Is there hostility between Gaudreau and Gulutzan?

That’s all in this edition of Flames Daily! Let’s hope the Flames will be one to talk about in this all Canadian Saturday.