Flames: 36-25-5, 77 points, 3rd in the Pacific, 8th in the West, 16th in NHL.
Ducks: 42-19-7, 91 points, 1st in the Pacific, 2nd in the West, 3rd in NHL.
I really don't have a lot of analysis to offer today because I'm too emotionally invested in this one. I really badly want to beat the Ducks. It's becoming almost personal at this point. Despite another very solid game against them last time for 2 periods and getting a lead heading to the 3rd, they imploded like they never do in their best period and gave up 5 goals en route to a 6-3 loss. I'm tired of this Ducks team and I'm tired of losing to them (I know we beat them earlier this year, but it was in a shootout). The Ducks are a team that is not as good as their point totals suggest, and I want us to expose that a little tonight. They've already lost 2 in a row, so it won't be easy, but this team is back home and rested, and hopefully ready to compete.
Jiri Hudler is coming off a week where he was named 1st star in the NHL with 8 points in his last 4 games. Monahan and Gaudreau have been similarly hot, boding well for the top line's attack. Surprisingly, the top players for Anaheim have been cold, as Getzlaf is pointless in his last 4 games and Perry has just 1 point in his last 4.
Roster Notes: Byron is skating, but Smid is not. Shore is doubtful for tonight's game with an undisclosed injury. Both Jooris and Russell had maintenance days and are likely not playing at 100%. Ramo is scheduled to start. Anaheim is still missing Vatanen, but he is traveling with the team and is close to returning. Beleskey, Holzer, and Jackman are all out for tonight and long term. With several players possibly in and out of the lineup, the lineups are not 100%.
Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Raymond-Colborne-Jooris
Ferland-Stajan-Poirier
Russell-Wideman
Brodie-Engelland
Schlemko-Diaz
Ramo
Ducks
Fleischmann-Getzlaf-Perry
Maroon-Kesler-Palmieri
Cogliano-Rakell-Silfverberg
Sekac-Thompson-Etem
Lindholm-Beauchemin
Fowler-Despres
Stoner-Wisniewski
Andersen
Go Flames Go!!!