Flames' Projected Lineup & Notes Against Canucks - 12.31.24

The Calgary Flames (17-12-7) wrap up an eventful 2024 calendar year with a battle against a familiar foe at the Scotiabank Saddledome, hosting the Vancouver Canucks (17-10-8). 

Tonight is the third of four meetings this season, with the two splitting their first games as Calgary won 6-5 in overtime on Oct. 9, and Vancouver collected a 3-1 win in the last contest.

Between the pipes, Dustin Wolf is set to start and will look to become the latest netminder to win ten home games in a single season, following Jacob Markstrom, who won 13 contests at the Saddledome last season. 

Before that, he earned 12 wins (2022-23), 22 (2021-22), and 13 (2020-21), becoming the first one to reach double digits since Mike Smith in 2017-18.

Wolf's one of the NHL's best netminders at home with a 9-1-1 record with a 2.06 GAA and .935 SV through 11 games. He's 11-5-2 this year with a 2.70 GAA and .912 SV%. Interestingly, Tuesday will be his first career start against the Canucks.

Meanwhile, the Flames will look for a bounceback performance against the Canucks after getting shutout 3-0 by the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday on the second night of a back-to-back over the weekend.

Additionally, tonight will be a critical game for both clubs. Vancouver (42) is just one point ahead of Calgary (41) for fourth place in the Pacific Division. 

Currently, the Canucks are 3-3-4 in their last ten and will be without Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes for another contest. The visitors will start Kevin Lankinen, who is 14-5-4 this season with a 2.61 GAA and .907 SV%. 

In his career, he's been lights out against Calgary, with a 2-1-0 record, an even better 1.81 GAA, and a .943 SV%.

Ultimately, whoever wins tonight's tilt will end 2024 in a playoff spot, as Vancouver currently holds down the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference. 

Per the Flames staff at NHL.com, here's a breakdown of tonight's lineup. (Subject to change)

FORWARDS

Jonathan Huberdeau -- Nazem Kadri -- Martin Pospisil

Blake Coleman -- Mikael Backlund -- Matt Coronato

Yegor Sharangovich -- Connor Zary -- Jakob Pelletier

Ryan Lomberg -- Kevin Rooney -- Walker Duehr

DEFENCE

Kevin Bahl -- Rasmus Andersson

Joel Hanley -- Mackenzie Weegar

Jake Bean -- Brayden Pachal

GOALIES

Dustin Wolf

Dan Vladar

SCRATCHES

Andrei Kuzmenko, Daniil Miromanov, Tyson Barrie,

These two Western Conference rivals meet again, for the final time, this season on Mar. 12, 2025, at the Saddledome.

The game is available on SNW, SNP, and Sportsnet+. The puck drops at 7 p.m. MT.