Preview: Mikael Backlund and the Flames Close Out The Season On The Road Against The Wild

Calgary Flames @ Minnesota Wild, 7 PM ET, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN

The Flames disappointing 2015-16 season ends today with a trip to Minnesota to take on the Wild. The Flames are currently 0-2 against the Wild and have been outscored 11-5 this season. Calgary and the Wild last tangled on March 24th and the Flames lost 6-2. Niklas Backstrom got the start in that game and will get the start tonight as well. The Flames come into this final game a modest 2-1 in their last 3 having scored 16 goals over that time frame. Minnesota, meanwhile, comes into this game in a hardcore free fall having dropped their last 4 games as they head into the playoffs. Here’s how the teams match-up:

The Flames last took the ice on Thursday and demolished the Vancouver Canucks 7-3. What looked like was going to be a goal for goal type game quickly turned into a Flames route. Calgary got goals from Mikael Backlund, Dougie Hamilton, Joe Colborne, Sam Bennett and Deryk Engelland with Backlund getting a hat trick. Joni Ortio got the start and looked rough early, but managed to settle in stopping 24 of 27 shots. Here’s the highlights:

The Wild last skated on Tuesday night and dropped their 4th straight as they lost to the San Jose Sharks 3-0. Devan Dubnyk got the start and gave up 3 goals on 20 shots. Here’s the highlights:

Starting Goalies

Calgary Flames

Niklas Backstrom: 1-2-0, GAA: 4.16, SV% .836

Minnesota Wild

Devan Dubnyk (expected): 32-26-6, GAA: 235, SV% .918

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames: Mikael Backlund, 7 points in last 5 games (6 goals, 1 assist)

Minnesota Wild: Zach Parise, 4 points in last 5 games (1 goal, 3 assists)

Injuries

Calgary Flames: Karri Ramo, Dennis Wideman, Ladislav Smid, Michael Frolik , Lance Bouma, Deryk Engelland, Derek Grant, Jakub Nakladal

Minnesota Wild: Thomas Vanek, Ryan Carter

by Mark Parkinson