Flames vs. Blackhawks Game Thread

The Flames and Blackhawks will meet for the final time this season, with the Flames looking to avenge a last-minute loss at the Saddledome back on November 27th when they squandered a two-goal lead in the third period.

The planets may be aligned just right tonight for the Flames, who have won two in a row, while the Blackhawks have not fared well of late with just four wins in 12 games in the month of January.

There are no significant injuries to report for the 'Hawks (unless you count Nikolai Khabibulin, which I don't), but forward Brandon Pirri will play tonight after being recalled by the team on Monday. Pirri, who was picked by the 'Hawks in the second round at the 2009 NHL entry draft, already has six goals and 11 points in 16 games with Chicago so far this season.

For the Flames, it looks as if both Ladislav Smid and Brian McGrattan could be set to return to the lineup tonight after missing time with unspecified injuries. Mike Cammalleri (concussion) and Curtis Glencross (ankle) remain out.

Projected Lineups

Calgary (via the Flames' official website):

Fowards

Jiri Hudler - Mikael Backlund - Lee Stempniak

TJ Galiardi - Sean Monahan - Joe Colborne

Lance Bouma - Matt Stajan - David Jones

Kevin Westgarth - Ben Street - Brian McGrattan

Defencemen

TJ Brodie - Mark Giordano

Kris Russell - Chris Butler

Ladislav Smid - Dennis Wideman

Goalie

Reto Berra

Chicago (via SCH):

Fowards

Patrick Sharp - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa

Kris Versteeg - Brandon Pirri - Patrick Kane

Brandon Saad - Andrew Shaw - Bryan Bickell

Brandon Bollig - Marcus Kruger - Ben Smith

Defencemen

Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook

Niklas Hjalmarsson - Johnny Oduya

Nick Leddy - Michal Rozsival

Goalie

Antti Raanta

Go Flames! And as always, visit Second City Hockey for all of your Blackhawks needs.