Calgary Flames Daily: Facing the Minnesota Wild part two
By Ramina Shlah
The Calgary Flames travelled to St. Paul to face the Minnesota Wild for the second time this season. More news surrounding the team here.
After a couple days off, the Calgary Flames had a short travel day to St. Paul before coming back home. They’ll be facing the Minnesota Wild tonight for the second time this season. In the first meeting between the two teams, the Wild took that game 4-2. During that game, the Flames were just 1/6 on the powerplay.
Their lone powerplay goal was from Kris Versteeg, but as we all know, he’s currently out of the lineup and is month-to-month after requiring surgery. The Flames have been trying to improve their power play and they’ve been mixing some players around.
Their special teams, especially their powerplay, is something they’ve been trying to work on the last few weeks in practice.
Calgary Flames
Via Calgary Flames:
"“You need to build some chemistry, one, and then you need to do the same things: you need to get the puck to the middle of the ice, you need to shoot from the top, you need to shoot from the flanks and then have guys in retrieval positions. It’s pretty simple but you can put together whatever you want but you need to execute, you need to feel confident. But it’s pretty simple – our powerplay is pretty simple in nature.”"
This game tonight, again, is basically a must-win game for both teams. The Flames hold the second wildcard spot with 16 wins and 34 points in 30 games. The Wild are one spot out with 15 wins and 33 points in 29 games. Whoever wins will get that playoff spot tonight.
Both teams are coming off of two straight wins. Minnesota beat the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks (thanks, guys) while the Flames outbattled the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks. In the Flames’ last six games, they have not been outshot and have put up 44+ shots in three of those games. They’ve been working hard and while they haven’t gotten all the results they would have liked this past week, it paid off in their last two games.
But tonight will still be a tough battle against a team who’s been quite good at their home arena, going 5-0-1 in their last six home games.
Via Calgary Flames:
"“We had a big talk this morning about them. It’s pretty simple – they’re stingy.” said Glen Gulutzan. “I think since I’ve been in the league, (for) seven years, they’re one of the stingiest teams in the league. They don’t give you much and you have to embrace that type of game here. They’ve got real good players up and down their lineup, their backend has always been a staple for them, goaltending and then now some of their skill up front … but still a stingy game. So you’ve got to embrace that and be good defensively yourself or you’ll be in trouble in this building.”"
Some links surrounding the Flames
Game Day: Flames get mixed review from Wild coach Boudreau (Calgary Sun).
Preview: Calgary Flames @ Minnesota Wild 12/12/17 (31/82): 2 Important Points Are Up For Grabs (Matchsticks & Gasoline).
Former Calgary Flames defenceman Zarley Zalapski dead at 49 (Global News).
Quotables – Flames @ Wild (CalgaryFlames.com).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
Fandom 250: Pittsburgh Penguins fans named best in NHL (FanSided).
On with the snow — er, show. NHL says downfall is no issue for outdoor classic (Ottawa Sun).
What recent NHL franchise news means for Seattle, Quebec City and Houston (Sportsnet).
4 things we learned in the NHL: Jets vying for crown as Canada’s best (Sportsnet).
Next: Flame For Thought's 3 Stars Of The Week Dec. 4-10
That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!