The Calgary Flames (29-23-10) kick off a three-game homestand over the next week with a visit by an Original Six rival, the Montreal Canadiens. Tonight marks the last time these two Canadian clubs meet. The Flames are looking to sweep the season series after a 3-2 overtime win at the Bell Centre on Nov. 5. It goes without saying that tonight's game is a must-win game for both teams, as Montreal and Calgary are just outside the playoff cutoff lines in their respective conferences. The Flames are 3-4-3 in their last ten games, with a lengthy goal drought that gives them a goal differential of minus-8 (30-22) coming into tonight's game. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are on their annual tour of the Western Conference, having their five-game winning streak snapped by the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten coming into the Saddledome. BETWEEN THE PIPES Calgary starter - Dustin Wolf * Season: 37 GP / 21-12-4 / 2.59 GAA / .913 SV% * Career: 55 GP / 29-19-5 / 2.73 GAA / .908 SV% * Last 5: 2-1-2 / 2.40 GAA / .914 SV% * vs. Opponent: 2-0-0 / 2.00 GAA / .935 SV% Canadiens starter - Jakub Dobes * Season: 10 GP / 6-2-1 / 2.63 GAA / .909 SV% * Career: 10 GP / 6-2-1 / 2.63 GAA / .909 SV * Last 5: 1-2-1 / 3.40 GAA / .878 SV% * vs. Opponent: First meeting CONVERSATION STARTERS - Dustin Wolf has yet to lose to the Canadiens. Tonight is one of those contests that the Flames can't afford to lose, so will he continue to rise to the occasion and carry his team to a victory over an Original Six rival? Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ebb4752e-9bdc-4bd3-9354-352a801a3cfe.jpeg] Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images - Joel Farabee was buzzing last game. Was that his coming-out party? Has he finally settled in with the Flames, and can fans expect that kind of performance moving forward? - Some players who needed goals have recently found the back of the net, like Yegor Sharangovich and Mikael Backlund. Could those lamplighters springboard them to a strong finish down the stretch, which will help the Flames make the playoffs? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Calgary * 5th Pacific Division * 3rd Wildcard * 9th Western Conference * 16th NHL Montreal * 5th Atlantic Division * 4th Wildcard * 10th Eastern Conference * 10th NHL FLAMES & CANADIENS LEADERS * Goals: Huberdeau & Kadri (22) / Caufield (31) * Assists: Weegar (28) / Suzuki (45) * Points: Huberdeau & Kadri (46) / Suzuki (65) * PIM: Pachal (80) / Xhekaj (89) * PPG: Huberdeau (7) / Laine (11) * SOG: Kadri (210) / Caufield (184) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- According to lineups at NHL.com [https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-projected-lineup-projections], here's a look at the projected lineups for the Flames. (Subject to change) FORWARDS Jonathan Huberdeau -- Nazem Kadri -- Matt Coronato Joel Farabee -- Mikael Backlund -- Blake Coleman Yegor Sharangovich -- Morgan Frost -- Martin Pospisil Ryan Lomberg -- Kevin Rooney -- Connor Zary DEFENCE Kevin Bahl -- Rasmus Andersson Joel Hanley -- MacKenzie Weegar Jake Bean -- Brayden Pachal GOALIES Dustin Wolf Dan Vladar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tonight's game starts at 5:00 p.m. MT and is available on TVAS, CITY, SNE, SNW, and Sportsnet+.
