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Preview: Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild 1/9/2020 (46/82): Rubber Match

These two teams close their season series on Thursday

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Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild, 7:00 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: Sportsnet Flames – Radio: SN960

Calgary Flames (23-17-5, 51 Points) – Minnesota Wild (20-17-6, 46 Points)

The Calgary Flames return to the Scotiabank Saddledome to kick off a quick two game home stand against the Minnesota Wild tonight. The Flames are coming off a two game road trip where they went a perfect 2-0, and are riding a three game winning streak heading into the game.

One of those victories game on Sunday night in Minnesota during what was a fast paced high scoring affair, a rarity between the two clubs. The Flames came back from four separate one goal deficits before Dillon Dube scored the winner in the seventh round of the shootout. Interestingly enough, tonight’s game is Minnesota’s first since Sunday.

This game is the third and final meeting of the year between the sides, and the third in just 18 days. Minnesota took the opener 3-0 just before Christmas, while Calgary took the aforementioned 5-4 win on Sunday. The winner tonight will take the season series between the clubs. The teams have alternated season series winners with Calgary taking last year’s and Minnesota the year before that.

The Flames are 4-5-1 in their last ten home games against Minnesota, who of course infamously spoiled the Jarome Iginla jersey retirement night last season. Overall though Calgary is 6-3-1 in their last ten against the Wild.

Entering play on Wednesday the Flames currently sit tied with the Edmonton Oilers for the third spot in the Pacific Division or in the first wild card spot depending on how you look at it. Minnesota is four points back of the final wild card spot and is trying to stay relevant in the playoff chase while stuck in hockey purgatory.

Starting Goalies

Flames: Rittich (Expected) 18-10-5, 2.81 GAA, .911 SV%

Wild: Stalock (Expected) 9-6-3, 3.06 GAA, .901 SV%

Team Leaders

Flames – Goals: Lindholm (18), Points: Tkachuk (38), PIM: Lucic (36)

Wild – Goals: Staal (16), Staal (33), PIM: Hartman (50)

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 2 – Chicago Blackhawks 1

Calgary Flames 5 – Minnesota Wild 4 (SO)

Players to Watch

Calgary

Dillon Dube: He had the shootout winner in the last meeting, but also got extended ice time with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan against Chicago. Look for Dube to seize the opportunity if it presents itself against the Wild.

Minnesota Wild

Marcus Foligno: He had a pair of goals in the last meeting and has four points in two games to start 2020.

by Michael MacGillivray