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Flames vs. Jets Preview: Home Stretch

Game 81 of 82 is here for the Flames, and the Winnipeg Jets are in town for their final game of the 2013-2014 season.

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It’s a draft order special tonight at the Saddledome when the Winnipeg Jets roll through town. The Flames are currently in 26th place, poised to draft fifth overall, with 77 points; Winnipeg is at 23rd with 82 points. In between, the Canucks (no game tonight, but will play the Flames on Sunday) and Hurricanes (playing Detroit).

Calgary's been winning too many games lately—don't get me wrong, I am thrilled they are able to pull these close games out and I think it's a good sign, even though other teams have been tired, resting their A lineup for the playoffs, or whatever else—but obviously at this point tanking is the best possible way to help themselves going forward. So a loss tonight would help. Reminder: the Calgary Flames have never drafted in the top 5. Ever. Not even one time.

The Jets beat the Bruins last night, so on one hand, they might be lagging from playing a back-to-back, but they also beat the Bruins. I would ordinarily say this could be a one-goal game but if Pavelec is starting in goal, it’s anyone’s guess.

The season series is split—each team has won one game on the road. This one's for all the marbles!

Projected lines

Jets

Evander KaneBryan LittleMichael Frolik
Eric TangradiOlli JokinenBlake Wheeler
Eric O`DellJim SlaterMatt Halischuk
Carl Klingburg – Patrice CormierAnthony Peluso

Mark StuartJacob Trouba
Tobias EnstromPaul Postma
Adam PardyZach Redmond

Ondrej Pavelec
Michael Hutchinson

Flames

Paul Byron – Mike Cammalleri – Jiri Hudler
Curtis GlencrossSean MonahanJoe Colborne
Bryce Van Babant – Matt Stajan – T.J. Galiardi
Kevin WestgarthLance BoumaBrian McGrattan

Mark GiordanoTJ Brodie
Kris Russell – Chris Butler
Chad Billins – Mark Cundari

Karri Ramo
Joey MacDonald

Puck drop

7:00 PM MT on TSN (single tear).

by Ruhee Dewji