Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild game preview: As the playoffs draw nearer

The last time the Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild met, Devan Dubnyk shut the Flames out for the first time this season. All it took was one Mark Giordano giveaway for the Wild to take the game. There are still two meetings left between the clubs this season, and two chances for the Flames to take the season series. The Wild have been making a hell of a playoff push as of late, and that season series win could end up being a crucial tiebreaker. So this one's big.

When we last met the Flames, Karri Ramo gave up three goals to the Boston Bruins. It wasn't entirely on him, but he got the hook. With a potential fourth goal scare waved off, the Flames finally responded: first with a David Jones tally, and then two Jiri Hudler ones. And then TJ Brodie scored the greatest overtime winner of all time. | Recap | Stats | Boxscore | That game could not have ended any better:

And what of the Wild? Well, out of 14 starts Dubnyk has only lost two regulation games for them. He's been pretty crucial to their playoff push, and it's kind of scary. The Wild are actually 8-1-1 in their last 10, so they've really been coming on strong. That one loss came from their most recent game, though: a 3-2 drop to the Vancouver Canucks, in a game that, very mercifully, did not go to overtime, and so, no loser points were handed out. This just a week after they beat those same Canucks 5-3. Are we gonna make up our minds which one of them is going to make the playoffs? (Preferably not both. Also honestly, preferably the Wild. Just... don't win tonight, though.)

Once disparaged Swiss prospect Nino Niederreiter scored both those goals. Need to know more? Head on over to Hockey Wilderness.

Game time: 7:30 p.m. MT

Channel: SN1

All-time record: It's a 42-23-4-9 all-time win for the Flames. Both teams have scored 178 goals against each other, though. So that's weird.

Common threads: Swiss prospects, Granlunds, and Matt Dumba is from Calgary. This would be easier if we were the Buffalo Sabres, because like half of the Wild is composed by former Sabres.

Approaching milestones: Games played countdown: Deryk Engelland needs to dress another six times to reach 300; while Mason Raymond, another nine times for 500.

David Jones is 10 goals away from 100! And TJ Brodie is seven points away from 100! If Brodie's 100th point is an assist off of Jones' 100th goal, who gets the puck? I mean, probably Jones, but.

As for the enemy, Kyle Brodziak needs another four goals to reach 100, so that's probably not happening tonight, knock on wood. Ryan Suter requires another nine assists for 300, so get that against some other team, Ryan. Same goes for Thomas Vanek needing eight more points to reach 600, Matt Cooke requiring four more points for 400, and Jared Spurgeon six away from 100. Nah. Especially not for Cooke.

Scoreboard watching: Because screaming at boxscores is legitimately a lot of fun:

• Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche: JAROME. Buddy. Do us a favour, eh?
• Tampa Bay Lightning at Anaheim Ducks: Screw it, dream big. A Flames win and Ducks loss would have them only eight points separated from each other.

Current records and leaders

Possible starting lineups

Paul Byron looks like he's a game-time decision, so for now, it's Bollig taking his spot in the lineup. Hopefully whatever's ailing Byron isn't too serious and he'll be able to step right back in, because... yeah.

On the other side, Thomas Vanek is doubtful to play, which helps a little.