Calgary Flames vs Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

The Columbus Blue Jackets will make their only trip to the Saddledome tonight as the Flames play out the final string of the season. Calgary rolls into game #78 having dropped 6 straight and the uphill battle isn’t getting any easier. The Flames hinted on Wednesday that Matthew Tkachuk and T.J. Brodie would most likely not be returning for the rest of the regular season. With the Flames down 5 key players (Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Kris Vertseeg are out as well), it’ll be tough sledding against one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now.

The Blue Jackets are playing some of the best hockey in the league over the last 30 days. March certainly has roared in like a lion for the 7th place team in the Eastern Conference. Columbus is 13-3-0 in March, having won 10 in a row at one point and having landed in the win column in 16 of their last 20. Not a bad month at all for a team that is surging at the right time of the season.

The Flames dropped the only meeting between these two back on November 22nd in overtime 1-0. To add more fuel to the fire, Calgary has lost 7 in a row to Columbus at the Saddledome and their current play at home doesn’t inspire much confidence.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Columbus Blue Jackets Coverage: The Cannon

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 0 LA Kings 3

The Flames finally lost a game where they didn’t out shoot the opponent. That’s the takeaway from their 3-0 loss to the Kings Monday night. That’s all we’ve got for this one. Here’s our recap and the highlights from NHL.com

Columbus Blue Jackets 7 Edmonton Oilers 3

The Blue Jackets got back on track after having a 10 game winning streak snapped with a 7-3 dismantling of the Edmonton Oilers. The Cannon has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Andrew Villa-USA TODAY Sports

Rasmus Andersson (D). Andersson is getting a chance to give the Flames and the fan base a good look at himself as T.J. Brodie will most likely be sidelined for the remainder of the season. If you’re still watching the Flames this season, you might as well see what Andersson has to offer as he could be a part of the Flames blue line in the future OR he could be a potential piece to be traded to recoup draft picks. Either way, just watch Rasmus. There isn’t much else compelling to see.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Thomas Vanek (F). Vanek is clearly enjoying his time in Columbus. The product of Vienna Austria has 8 points in his last 5 games, including a 4 point effort against the Oilers. Vanek dropped a hat trick on Edmonton and collected an assist, giving him 54 points on the season. He’d look nice in a Flames uniform no?