Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks [Game #77 Thread]

The Calgary Flames are in Aneheim tonight to take on the Ducks. Game number 77 sees the Flames out of playoff contention and they’ll be giving their youth movement more of a look. Hunter Shinkaruk, Emile Poirier, Derek Grant, and Brett Kulak draw in again.

Jonas Hiller is in net tonight to help the team tank for a better draft pick for that feel good start against his former team. The Flames goaltending has been horrid, but Hiller has been exceptionally putrid this season. Out of goalies with at least 20 games played, Hiller is second worst in the league after Keith Kinkaid in adjusted five on five save percentage at 90.46 percent.

Opposing Hiller tonight is John Gibson. Gibson is a highly touted prospect, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations this year. He’s seventh worst in adjusted five on five save percentage with 91.29 percent. This is probably unfortunate for Flames fans who were hoping to acquire Frederik Andersen as he’s been substantially better than the 22 year old prodigy.

Jyrki Jokipakka, Johnny Gaudreau, and Michael Frolik will all be out for tonight’s game, though it would appear that at least Jokipakka will be back soon, perhaps as early as tomorrow. The Flames had no problem without them against Arizona as they were still able to put up five goals. With Hiller in net tonight, they might need all of that and then some.

by Les Mavus