Anaheim Ducks @ Calgary Flames Game Preview: Homecoming

The Flames are finally allowed back in their home arena now that the 2015 Tim Hortons Brier has concluded (yay Team Canada!), and they’ll open with a game against the Pacific Division leading Anaheim Ducks. This season, the Ducks haven’t been kind to Calgary, with the Flames going 1-3-0. The lone win came in the shootout, with perfect hair child – Sean Monahan – scoring the GWG. The last two times the teams have met, Anaheim has whooped the Flames 6-3.

Last game, the Flames defied all odds, and surprised every team in the NHL, by overcoming a 4-0 deficit in the third period against the Ottawa Senators. What lead is safe against this team? Unfortunately, the game was lost in the shootout, when Josh Jooris was unable to keep the shootout alive for a seventh round. And David Schlemko, shootout wizard (they’re all wizards at this point), came so close to win it but hit the post. | Recap | Fancy Stats | Boxscore | Highlights:

For the Ducks, this is the last regular season game they’ll play north of the border this season. They’re coming off a 5-2 lost against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday and a harder (and not at all helpful) 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Monday. The Ducks made saw a lot of movement on the trade deadline and many are calling them winners. Let’s show them otherwise.

For more on the enemy, check out Anaheim Calling.

Game Time: 7:30 PM MST

Channel: SNW

All-Time Record: The Flames are not on the winning end of things with an all-time record of 39-43-7-8 and goal differential of -18. Let's hope they can chip away at that tonight.

Common Threads: Calgary’s unofficial starting goalie, Jonas Hiller came to the team after spending his career with the Ducks. Former Flame, Curtis Glencross, broke into the NHL through the Ducks. Remember Tim Jackman? Yeah, he’s playing with the enemy now.

Rene Bourque used to play for both teams but got traded to Columbus and subsequently sent down to play in the AHL.

Approaching Milestones: Games played countdown: Dennis Wideman needs eight to a total of 700, Mason Raymond needs three and Kris Russell needs four to reach 500 each. Karri Ramo needs 10 wins to reach 50 total. David Jones needs 10 goals to 100, and TJ Brodie needs five points to 100.

Speaking of Brodie, he needs three more goals to set a new career high, dating all the way back to junior. And speaking of career highs, Jiri Hudler needs three goals, five assists, and two points to reach new ones himself.

Ryan Getzlaf needs to dress for two more games to reach 700, tonight brings him one step closer. As for what the Flames should be looking to avoid, Corey Perry needs nine goals and seven points to reach 300 and 600, respectively. And Ryan Kesler only needs one more goal to a total of 200. Yikes.

Scoreboard Watching:

Nothing tonight. But feel free to watch the New York Rangers take on the Washington Capitals (and former friend, Glencross). OR you can tune into the Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs game, that’s sure to be exciting!

Something else fun:

Current Records and Leaders

Possible starting lineups

Let's hope the Brodie-Engelland pair doesn't stay together much this game.

by saltysyd