Game 57--Ducks@Flames: Just Another Must-Win Game

Every game is essentially a must-win these days if the Flames (28-21-7) hope to solidify their grip on eighth place in the West, including tonight's contest with the Anaheim Ducks (30-21-4). The Ducks are just another Western Conference team that has been on a roll lately, having won their last two games and seven of their past ten.

Steve Staios returns to the lineup tonight (as a defenceman this time) in place of Brendan Mikkelson, while Francois Beauchemin makes his debut for the Ducks tonight, rounding out a decent top four for Anaheim.

The Ducks present a big change from the Flames' last opponent in terms of the range of offensive weapons they possess, and the Flames will want to limit the sloppy play we saw from them at times in their last game because the Ducks will surely capitalize, and the home side might find it hard to compete without Alex Tanguay in the lineup. 40-year old Teemu Selanne is just one player Brent Sutter will have to keep his eye one tonight, as the Finn has been a Flame killer over the course of his career with 36 goals and 71 points in 64 games against Calgary with the Jets, Sharks, Avs, and Ducks.

Enjoy the game everyone and express your annoyances at Corey Perry in the comments. Go Flames.