The Calgary Flames (29-23-9) wrap up their longest road trip of the season with a showdown in the Lone Star State against one of their rivals, the Dallas Stars. Tonight is the second of three meetings this year, and the first encounter since the Stars picked up a 6-2 win on Dec. 8 at American Airlines Center. They meet one more at the Saddledome at the end of the month on Mar. 27. The Flames remain in a deadlock with the Vancouver Canucks for the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference, sitting above the cut off line thanks to an extra win, 29 to 28. Calgary looks to wrap up its six-game road trip with a win. It has gone 2-2-1 against some of the NHL's best teams. However, it is 4-4-2 in its last ten outings, which isn't at the same level as the Stars, who entered the night going 7-2-1 in its previous ten games and on a three-game win streak. BETWEEN THE PIPES Calgary starter - Dan Vladar * Season: 24 GP / 8-11-5 / 2.98 GAA / .894 SV% * Career: 99 GP / 45-34-15 / 3.05 GAA / .893 SV% * Last 5: 2-3-0 / 2.60 GAA / .914 SV% * vs. Opponent: 2-0-0 / 3.75 GAA / .868 SV% Stars starter - Jake Oettinger * Season: 44 GP / 29-13-2 / 2.44 GAA / .911 SV% * Career: 237 GP / 142-61-25 / 2.49 GAA / .912 SV% * Last 5: 3-1-1 / 3.40 GAA / .903 SV% * vs. Opponent: 3-4-0 / 3.99 GAA / .890 SV% CONVERSATION STARTERS - The NHL trade deadline is less than 24 hours away and this could be the last time this lineup is together for the 2024-25 season. Will Craig Conroy make any moves or stay the course with the current makeup of the team? - Dan Vladar has never lost to the Dallas Stars and is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. Could this be his last go with the Flames in what will be his 100th career start? Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/92c7c3d2-ad6f-499b-93a5-6b2628d5b7ac.jpeg] Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images - The last time the Flames scored six goals in a game, versus Chicago on Dec. 21, they followed that up with a 3-1 win. After their gutsy victory over the Washington Capitals, one of the NHL’s top clubs, they got shutout in back-to-back games. Which team is going to show up against another Stanley Cup contender? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Calgary * 4th Pacific Division * 2nd Wildcard * 8th Western Conference * 16th NHL Dallas * 2nd Central Division * 2nd Western Conference * 3rd NHL FLAMES & STARS LEADERS * Goals: Huberdeau & Kadri (22) / Robertson, Duchene, Hintz (25) * Assists: Weegar (28) / Robertson, Duchene (37) * Points: Huberdeau & Kadri (46) / Robertson, Duchene (62) * PIM: Pachal (80) / Benn (60) * PPG: Huberdeau (7) / Robertson (8) * SOG: Kadri (206) / Robertson (171) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- According to Sportsnet 960's Derek Wills [https://x.com/Fan960Wills], here's a breakdown of tonight's lineup. (Subject to change) Tonight's game starts at 6:00 p.m. MT and is available on Victory+, SN, and Sportsnet+.
