Calgary Flames
Preview: Mikael Backlund and the Flames Close Out The Season On The Road Against The Wild
Red hot Mikael Backlund leads the Calgary Flames into Minnesota to finish the regular season against the Wild.
Calgary Flames @ Minnesota Wild, 7 PM ET, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Broadcast Schedule |
TV: CBC, FSN, City TV |
Radio: Sportsnet 960 The Fan |
The Flames disappointing 2015-16 season ends today with a trip to Minnesota to take on the Wild. The Flames are currently 0-2 against the Wild and have been outscored 11-5 this season. Calgary and the Wild last tangled on March 24th and the Flames lost 6-2. Niklas Backstrom got the start in that game and will get the start tonight as well. The Flames come into this final game a modest 2-1 in their last 3 having scored 16 goals over that time frame. Minnesota, meanwhile, comes into this game in a hardcore free fall having dropped their last 4 games as they head into the playoffs. Here’s how the teams match-up:
Calgary Flames | Minnesota Wild | |
34-40-7 | Record | 38-32-11 |
75 | Points | 87 |
5th Pacific | Division | 5th Central |
12th West | Conference | 8th West |
4-6 | Last 10 Games | 6-4 |
227 | Goals For | 212 |
256 | Goals Against | 202 |
Gaudreau (30) | Goals | Parise (25) |
Gaudreau (78) | Points | Koivu (56) |
Ramo (.909) | SV % | Dubnyk (.918) |
21st (17.2%) | PP | 12th (18.9%) |
30th (75.0%) | PK | 27th (77.7%) |
The Flames last took the ice on Thursday and demolished the Vancouver Canucks 7-3. What looked like was going to be a goal for goal type game quickly turned into a Flames route. Calgary got goals from Mikael Backlund, Dougie Hamilton, Joe Colborne, Sam Bennett and Deryk Engelland with Backlund getting a hat trick. Joni Ortio got the start and looked rough early, but managed to settle in stopping 24 of 27 shots. Here’s the highlights:
The Wild last skated on Tuesday night and dropped their 4th straight as they lost to the San Jose Sharks 3-0. Devan Dubnyk got the start and gave up 3 goals on 20 shots. Here’s the highlights:
Starting Goalies
Calgary Flames
Niklas Backstrom: 1-2-0, GAA: 4.16, SV% .836
Minnesota Wild
Devan Dubnyk (expected): 32-26-6, GAA: 235, SV% .918
Players To Watch
Calgary Flames: Mikael Backlund, 7 points in last 5 games (6 goals, 1 assist)
Minnesota Wild: Zach Parise, 4 points in last 5 games (1 goal, 3 assists)
Injuries
Calgary Flames: Karri Ramo, Dennis Wideman, Ladislav Smid, Michael Frolik , Lance Bouma, Deryk Engelland, Derek Grant, Jakub Nakladal
Minnesota Wild: Thomas Vanek, Ryan Carter
by Mark Parkinson