Flames: 26-28-3, 55 points, 6th in Pacific, 12th in West, 25th in NHL.
Ducks: 30-19-8, 68 points, 2nd in Pacific, 5th in West, 10th in NHL.
A win is a win is a win. Beating up on a weak Vancouver Canucks team on the 2nd half of back to backs with travel isn't anything to write home about, but the Flames played a very solid game to do so. Outside of a handful of turnovers that need to be cleaned up, they allowed the Canucks very little in the way of offensive chances. That's good because they were able to score on the few good chances they had because...let's just say it...Jonas Hiller isn't very good. Hiller will get the start today against a Ducks team that's eaten him alive over the years. However, since Ortio got the starter's net at practice yesterday, I'm willing to speculate that Hiller will get a quick hook should Hartley feel he's not up to the task today. I honestly believe that Hiller is starting today simply because he won the last game.
A couple pieces of good news for Flames fans. Sam Bennett is being given an opportunity to play center, albeit in a 3rd line role. He didn't look out of place the other night, so here's hoping he continues his progress. Outside of a couple ill-advised clearing attempts, Jakub Nakladal continues to look like an NHL calibre defenseman, especially in the offensive zone where he makes smart, but not flashy, decisions. Tyler Wotherspoon was recalled and played a very, very sound game in his first NHL game this season. He's been a bit of an afterthought for a while now, but he could still wind up being a solid defensive defenseman for the Flames should they decide to move one or several veterans in a trade.
The Ducks have been doing nothing but winning of late. They're coming off a very successful road trip, ending on a 4 game winning streak. In fact, over their last 27 games, they have just 5 regulation losses, owning a 19-5-3 record. They've pulled within a couple points of L.A. who were running away with the division for most of the season. They haven't done it with offense, scoring just 139 goals for 27th in the NHL. However, they do own the 9th best power play in the league at 20.1 %. They are good defensively, allowing just 136 goals, good for 7th in the league, but they are exceptional on the penalty kill at 86.6% ranked 3rd overall. Boudreau has decided they will essentially be a trap team 5 on 5 that excels on special teams. Even when they do give up chances they have two good goaltenders in Andersen and Gibson who have identical .917 SV%'s, which isn't exceptional, but they get the job done. Offensively, there are not many guys putting the puck in the net for them. Perry has his obligatory 20+ goal season already, but after him they only have 3 players in double figure goals (Rakell-15, Kesler-11, Perron-10). In contrast, the Flames have 6 players who are already in double figure goals, with a further 4 players who are sitting at 9 goals. If the Flames can play a disciplined game, score a goal or two on the power play, and protect the front of the net against the likes of Perry, they might just be able to break the Anaheim curse.
Nah...who am I kidding. Of course we'll lose.
Roster Notes: Russell and Smid remain sidelined for this game, so both Nakladal and Wotherspoon will get another game to show their stuff. The Ducks will be without Shawn Horcoff as he continues to serve a suspension for violation of the league's PED policy. Chris Stewart remains sidelined with a jaw injury. Hiller has been confirmed as the starter for the Flames, although Joni Ortio did get the last practice in the starter's net. No word on the starter for Anaheim, but Andersen is assumed.
Flames
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Jones
Bouma-Stajan-Jooris
Giordano-Brodie
Engelland-Hamilton
Wotherspoon-Nakladal
Hiller
Ducks
Perron-Getzlaf-Santorelli
Ritchie-Rakell-Perry
Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg
Maroon-Thompson-Garbutt
Fowler-Bieksa
Lindholm-Manson
Despres-Vatanen
Andersen
Go Flames Go!!!!!!