Big Time Battle in the West! Preview: Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes 1/7/2016 (40/82)

Arizona Coyotes @ Calgary Flames, 9:00 PM ET, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary Alberta

A huge 2 points is up for grabs in this crucial January battle between the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes. 2 points is all that separates these teams in the Pacific. Calgary, who are in 4th place in the Pacific, would like nothing more than to take this game from Arizona and move up in the standings. Arizona won the only game these two have played this season back on November 27th by way of a 2-1 OT win. The schedule makers have the Flames and 'Yotes playing 3 more times down the stretch and it would be a nice launching point for the Flames if they can take this contest tonight. Calgary will look to ride the hot glove of Karri Ramo who has been on fire lately. Here's how they match-up:

The Flames last played on Tuesday night and dominated the Tampa Bay Lightning from the start. The fore-check was ferocious and Karri Ramo continued to be the hot hand. He had his consecutive shutout streak stopped with 1:39 left in the 3rd on a goal by Stamkos. Here’s the highlights:

The Coyotes are well rested coming into tonight’s game. They last played on Monday night and won a tight, 3-2 game against the Vancouver Canucks. Here’s the highlights:

Calgary Flames Projected Lineup (these are the projected lines and can be changed any time before the puck drop)

Scratches: Brandon Bollig, Ladislav Smid.

Injuries: Michael Frolik, Jiri Hudler.

Arizona Coyotes Projected Lineup (these are the projected lines and can be changed any time before the puck drop)

Scratches: Pacific All-Star Captain John Scott

Injuries: Joe Vitale, Mike Smith, Martin Hanzal, Boyd Gordon

by Mark Parkinson