It’s game day in St. Paul tonight! The Calgary Flames will play vs. the Minnesota Wild tonight and look to make it four straight wins.
The Calgary Flames will hope to continue 2018 on a high note. They’re currently on a three-game win streak, dating back to 2017 and are hoping to make it four games tonight vs. the Minnesota Wild – which would be a season high. At this point last season, the Flames had already had a six-game win streak, but at the 41 game mark this year compared to last year, the Flames have two more points this year.
Last season, the Flames beat the Wild in all three meetings. In the first meeting, the Flames lost 4-2 (one was an empty-net goal). In the second meeting, the Flames lost 2-1 in a shootout. This could really be anybody’s game, but the Flames need to work on their powerplay.
In the first meeting, the Flames went just 1/6 with the man-advantage. Another powerplay goal and it could have have been a different game. Their second game, the Flames went 0/3 and lost, again, a one-goal game. Their last seven games have been one-goal games. It’s hard to say who will come out on top tonight.
Related Story: Flames lose in shootout vs. Minnesota Wild
Bruce Boudreau on the #Flames “Look at it, they beat us three times last year. We win in overtime this year. They’re a tough team. When they play the best they can play, they can beat anybody in the league."
— Kristen Anderson (@KdotAnderson) January 9, 2018
Mike Smith and Alex Stalock have both been confirmed to start in net tonight, making them each playing all three games vs. the Flames. Smith has been unofficially named the MVP of the Calgary Flames by the rest of the players through the first half of the season.
Via calgaryflames.com:
"“His compete level,” lauds goaltending coach Jordan Sigalet, “is contagious. So is his preparation, his focus.“He’s been a voice in the room when needed, too. He picks his spots. If you’re always talking, guys tend to tune you out after a while. Smitty knows when to pipe up.“And obviously his playing the puck has helped us a lot. No one does that better.”"
Right now, the Flames have 46 points in 41 games. The Wild have 47 points in 42 games. It’s anyone’s game tonight and either team could get into a playoff spot again tonight.
Andrew Mangiapane, one of the Flames many AHL call-ups, has been taking in every moment since being called up a few games ago. He’s been named to the AHL All-Star Classic, but if he misses it because he’s up at the NHL level, he won’t be too upset.
Via Calgary Sun:
"“Each game I’ve been playing, I think I’ve just been gaining more confidence,” Mangiapane said after Sunday’s SuperSkills event at the Saddledome. “Each day that I’m here, I’m getting more comfortable with the guys and with the coaching staff, just with everybody … From zero games in the NHL to three, I think it’s a big jump, just confidence-wise and me playing my game.“I know that I can still make plays that are there to be made. A little hesitant right now, I think, but that comes with experience and confidence, right? Every game, gaining experience and confidence, it’s going to help me.”"
He still has a lot of growing, but fans have liked what they’ve seen so far.
Flames Tweet of the day
#Flames continue to be good in all metrics but “Standings”. https://t.co/17Yv5ufsIy
— Christian Roatis (@croatis) January 9, 2018
Hockey Tweet of the day
cody franson https://t.co/owBqW8HbLW
— stella’s mom had a baby! (@backhandshots) January 9, 2018
Some links surrounding the Flames
Game Day: Flames shoot for fourth straight win against Wild (Calgary Sun).
What We Learned: Flames need push amid newsworthy weekend (Yahoo Sports).
Flames call-up Mangiapane hoping to miss minor-league all-star game (Calgary Sun).
Smith earns rave reviews in first half (Calgary Flames).
Some links around FanSided surrounding the NHL
Josh Clark of Blackout Dallas looks at some opponents that may be able to catch up to the Dallas Stars in the standings while the Stars are off until Saturday.
Colin Likas of Blackhawk Up looks at Brent Seabrook being a healthy scratch in today’s game for the Chicago Blackhawks (what??????). To put that into reference Flames fans, Seabrook gets paid more than Mark Giordano.
Brent Seabrook will likely be a healthy scratch tonight.
— Brock Seguin (@Brock_Seguin) January 9, 2018
REMINDER: he is owed $41.25M ($6.875M AAV) over the next SIX seasons. 🤯💰
That along with waiving Cody Franson, I’m not sure what’s happening.
Dylan Pare of Jets White Out looks at Nic Petan being one of the top prospects in 2013 to somewhat falling off the face of the earth.
Some other links surrounding hockey and the NHL
Report: Ex-NHLer Alexei Kovalev doesn’t like how hockey has evolved (Sportsnet).
No NHL? No problem for the 1994 Olympics (CBC Sports).
DON’T EXPECT NHL PLAYERS TO BOYCOTT OR PROTEST THIS YEAR’S ALL-STAR GAME (The Hockey News).
Why Anthony Duclair could be the hidden gem of the NHL trade market (Sportsnet).
Are any NHL coaches on hot seat? Looking at a half-season without a firing (Sportsnet).
Next: Unsuspecting winners at Flames Super Skills
That’s all in today’s Calgary Flames Daily!