Preview: Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks 12/17/17 (34/82): Stop The Sedin’s, Stop The Slide…..And Score.

Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks, 6 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

It’s time for the Flames to get moving in the right direction. Right now the Flames are definitely heading in the wrong direction, dropping 10 of their last 13. The Flames just can’t seem to find the back of the net which is a major part of their current problem. Calgary has been shut out twice and scored no more than 3 goals 8 times in those 13 games. The power play has become a complete joke as well. When playing with the extra man the Flames are an unthinkable 4 for 44 in that 13 game sample. Yes, you read that correctly. The Flames have been gifted 5 on 3’s in that span and Saturday night Calgary only got 2 shots on net during a very long 5 on 3. Something has to give and maybe the struggling Canucks can be the elixir the Flames are looking for.

Speaking of Vancouver, they are about as bad as the Flames. The Canucks have dropped 7 of their last 11 and are sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference. They just snapped a 4 game losing streak, but in that skid the ‘Nucks surrendered 20 goals in 4 games. So while the Flames are having trouble scoring goals the Canuck are having trouble keeping the puck out of the net.

These two teams are separated by 1 point and the Flames are only 2 points of the final WC spot out west. A win tonight would be a huge weight lifted off of the Flames shoulders and a satisfying end to a not so satisfying week.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 0 Nashville Predators 2

Yes, Nashville is an incredible team, but the Flames did themselves no favors Saturday night in their 2-0 loss to the Predators. Calgary’s PP went 0-5 and they hit the post 4 times. Some nights it’s just not your night and that was the case on Saturday. Here’s our recap and the highlights from NHL.com

Vancouver Canucks 4 San Jose Sharks 3 (OT)

The Canucks snapped a 4 game losing streak with an OT thriller against the Sharks Friday night. Markus Granlund had a 2 goal night and the Sedin’s each had 3 points a piece. Nucks Misconduct has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Matthew Tkachuk (F). These are the types of games Tkachuk lives for. The Flames need a win and it’s a big divisional opponent that he can totally get under the skin of. While he’s been held off the score sheet lately, this feels like the type of game where he could get back on track. He’s had 14 SOG in his last 5 games, so it’s not like he isn’t trying.

Vancouver Canucks

Daniel & Henrik Sedin: The twins demise has been greatly exaggerated. The boys have 10 points combined in their last 4 games, including a 6 point effort in Friday’s win over San Jose. If the brothers can get ANY sort of traction, this could be a long game for the Flames. The two have combined for 35 points and are in the top 5 in scoring on the team.

by Mark Parkinson