Calgary Flames (34-34-5, 73 points) versus Anaheim Ducks (24-47-4, 52 points)
The Calgary Flames provided a first-rate performance against the (likely) playoff-bound Los Angeles Kings in the first half of their two-game homestand. That 4-2 win on Saturday was well-earned. Now to see whether the Flames — who are still technically alive in the playoff chase — actually build off it or once again play down to the calibre of a bottom feeder.
Calgary is down to its final nine games of the campaign, and other than the Hail Mary hopes of mounting some incredible run, and receiving an outrageous amount of help elsewhere, there are a few storylines to follow.
As much as fans would prefer to see more even youth infused into the lineup, and Dustin Wolf between the pipes, the roster will be the same as the Kings clash, including Jacob Markstrom slated to start in net. Blake Coleman is one goal shy of reaching 30 in a season for the first time in his career, while Yegor Sharangovich needs two tallies to also reach that feat. As well, MacKenzie Weegar is two goals shy of 20.
The Ducks are finishing a five game road trip that has been unkind to say the least. Anaheim has lost all four games in regulation by a combined 17-5 margin, and is winless in five due to a 3-2 overtime home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning which preceded this trip. The Ducks, who are ahead of only the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks in the league standings, have only one victory in their last 13 games (1-11-1).
Calgary won the only previous meeting this season, a 3-0 game in Anaheim on Dec. 21 in which Jacob Markstrom collected the shutout. The Flames have won three consecutive meetings and seven of the last eight clashes.
Calgary
Forwards:
Jonathan Huberdeau-Mikael Backlund-Blake Coleman
Connor Zary-Yegor Sharangovich-Matt Coronato
Martin Pospisil-Nazem Kadri-Andrei Kuzmenko
A.J. Greer-Kevin Rooney-Dryden Hunt
Extra: Walker Duehr
Defence:
Joel Hanley-Rasmus Andersson
MacKenzie Weegar-Daniil Miromanov
Oliver Kylington-Brayden Pachal
Extras: Dennis Gilbert, Nikita Okhotiuk
Goal:
Jacob Markstrom
Dustin Wolf
Markstrom has an 8-6-2 career mark against Anaheim with two shutouts, a 2.19 goals-against average and ..921 save percentage. Wolf has never faced the Ducks.
Anaheim
Forwards:
Alex Killorn-Leo Carlsson-Troy Terry
Trevor Zegras-Mason McTavish-Ryan Strome
Frank Vatrano-Isac Lundestrom-Jakob Silfverberg
Ben Meyers-Bo Groulx-Brett Leason
Defence:
Cam Fowler-Olen Zellweger
Jackson Lacombe-Gustav Lindstrom
Urho Vaakanainen-William Lagesson
Goal:
Lukas Dostal
John Gibson
Dostal has a 0-2-1 career mark versus Calgary with a 3.32 GAA and .922 SvPct. Gibson boasts an 11-7-1 mark with a 2.35 GAA and .922 SvPct. against the Flames
ICE CHIPS: Both MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson are four points shy of reaching 200 in their careers … Andrew Magiapane is to miss a fourth consecutive game due to injury, although he was part of the morning skate with his teammates, a sign he is nearing a return … Calgary, coming off a season-high three power-play goals against the Kings, faces an Anaheim team last in the league in penalty killing on the road at 67.3%. That said, Calgary's home PP is still 31st overall at 14.9% ... Flames 2021 seventh-round draft pick Arsenii Sergeev is leaving the University of Connecticut after two seasons and transferring to Penn State, where the goaltender is hoping to receive a bigger role …
