Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks, 8 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: SN1, SNP - Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames (8-6-1, 17 pts) - Vancouver Canucks (7-11-1, 15 pts)

NHL Standings

Calgary returns home to the Saddledome for the start of a quick two game home stand, the first being the final of a three game set with Vancouver. Calgary recovered from another slow start to get two points with an OT victory thanks to Johnny Gaudreau’s game winning goal on Monday night. As it should be, once again, Gaudreau was the straw that stirred the offensive drink. He led the team with seven shots on goal and was dangerous all game long. Despite the narrative that some want to sell you, Gaudreau’s two way game has been a revelation this season and he had another solid all around game for Calgary, which is something happening WAY more often than not. And if the Flames want to make any noise, they may have to ride Gaudreau’s wizardry because his line mates have been “meh” to put it kindly. At the other end of the ice Jacob Markstrom was just as good as he’s been any night this season. David Rittich probably should have gotten the start Monday night, but Calgary went with their MVP and he delivered. Markstrom stopped 30 of the 33 shots that came his way to earn his 8th victory of the season. And if I were the Flames, I’d go right back to him tonight as well. Calgary needs that workhorse in net right now as they try and find their footing early on in games (more on that later).

Vancouver, for all their hard work were lucky to come out of that game with any points at all. After staking themselves to a 2-1 first period lead, they allowed Calgary to take control for most of the rest of the game and all 25 seconds of overtime. What Vancouver has done really well is unleash their young star players on the Flames. Quinn Hughes has been a thorn in the Flames side over the last two games, collecting two assists and upping his season totals to two goals and 17 assists. Brock Boeser has really come alive as well with his point totals now reaching 18 and having three points against Calgary in five games so far this season. It would do the Flames well to shut them both down if they want to get to a second win in a row.

Calgary’s first period struggles have been well documented and they fell into that trap Monday night. Their 2-1 deficit made it the 10th time this season the Flames didn’t have a lead after 20 minutes of play. They were able to overcome that by firing 18 shots at Thatcher Demko over the final two frames, but this trend of sleepwalking through a period is troubling and becoming almost expected. Forget not being ready, it’s time for the Flames to blow the doors off an opponent from the puck drop and tonight would be a great time to debut that new look.

It’s also Blasty Day again and it would be a shame for Ole Blasty’s undefeated record to receive any kind of blemish.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Markstrom (E): 8-4-1, 2.38 GAA, .924 SV%

Canucks: Holtby (E): 3-5-0, 3.75 GAA, .885 SV%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (9), Points- Gaudreau (16), PIM- Tkachuk (15), Save%- Markstrom (.924)

Canucks: Goals- Boeser (11), Points- Hughes (19), PIM: Myers (35). Save%- Demko (.895)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Vancouver Canucks Coverage: Nucks Misconduct

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 4 - Vancouver Canucks 3 (OT)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images

Rasmus Andersson (D): 4 points in last 4 games

Vancouver Canucks

Tyler Myers (D): 3 points in last 2 games