[GDT] Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks 8:00pm TV: SNW, SNP, TVA - RADIO SN960

[Cheese]

News Roundup

Flames win ugly in shootout triumph over the Oilers

In an ideal world, your team’s season-opener should be smooth sailing, a complete 60 minute effort, with minimal drama.
The Calgary Flames do not live in an ideal world. But they also don’t seem too put off by games that go a little sideways on them.

Instant Reaction: Flames battle back to beat Oilers in the shootout

The Flames got off to a pretty solid start, skating well early on and putting pucks on net. In fact, they led in shots during the first period at various points by 3-1 and 4-3 margins.
But the game got away from them a bit later in the period.

Matvei Gridin scores his first career NHL goal

The first Calgary Flames goal of the 2025-26 season belongs to Matvei Gridin.
On top of the goal being the first Flames’ goal of the season, it was also Gridin’s first career goal. It wasn’t anything special, as Gridin received a pass from Nazem Kadri, drifted to the corner, spun around, and attempted to pass to the middle of the ice.

Calgary Flames hand stunned Edmonton Oilers a royal flush on opening night

After suffering crushing, lopsided defeats to open the last two regular seasons (8-1 against Vancouver and 6-0 against Winnipeg), and then advancing to the Stanley Cup Final both years, maybe having their heads held in the toilet again is best for the Edmonton Oilers.

Canucks Begin 2025-26 Season with Flames in Town for Home Opener


The Canucks welcome the Calgary Flames to begin the season, and there will be excitement all around Rogers Arena.

There’s a party on the plaza featuring live music and Canucks alumni signing autographs, the first 10,000 fans in the building will receive a free Canucks scarf, fun prizes throughout the game to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Rogers Arena, and much more.

Some milestone moments for Thursday’s game include Adam Foote making his debut as a head coach, Evander Kane making his debut for his hometown team, and Braeden Cootes playing in his first NHL game.

Calgary Flames are one of the smallest teams in the NHL this season

Despite having 6-foot-8 Adam Klapka and 6-foot-6 Kevin Bahl on their roster, the Flames are a small group overall. In fact, they are tied with three other teams for being the lightest roster in the entire NHL.

Vancouver Canucks not getting much respect in NHL expert predictions

There are reasons for optimism surrounding the Canucks ahead of the 2025-26 season, but the experts aren’t buying it.

Many media outlets are predicting that Vancouver will miss the playoffs for the second straight season. If they do, that would be the ninth time in 11 seasons that they’ve failed to qualify for playoff hockey.

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[robertsfanatic]

this may be a very unpopular take but with the win last night I would let Cooley start tonight...I know Wolf is young and can do it but no need to burn this kid out.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

this may be a very unpopular take but with the win last night I would let Cooley start tonight...I know Wolf is young and can do it but no need to burn this kid out.

Cooley is an automatic L. An expert tank commander.

[Freddy]

In spite of the big workload last night for Wolf, I’d start him again against another division rival and give Cooley the Blues. Given how offensively challenged the Flames look I hope Parekh can ignite some creativity and help stretch the ice out.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

this may be a very unpopular take but with the win last night I would let Cooley start tonight...I know Wolf is young and can do it but no need to burn this kid out.

I thought about it and feel like due to not having to travel nearly as far as other b2bs it would be okay to start Wolf again. However, I don’t fault Huska starting Cooley since we went to OT and a long shootout.

My reasoning for Wolf going in is there’s another b2b next week (Tues/Wed) so just put in Cooley against Utah in their own barn. The NHL really screwed us with the scheduling to start the season. So, in a way it might be good we’ve got Huberdeau and Pospisil almost on the ready and have some good depth for injuries.

[getbak]

They won't start Cooley in the home opener, so Saturday will definitely be a Wolf start.

If Saturday's game was a normal start time, it would be easier to start Wolf tonight, but a 2:00pm start means it's only 66 hours from puck drop last night to puck drop on Saturday. That's a lot of hockey in a short time.

[flame4life]

Given Wolf's fairly light preseason schedule as we were trying to figure out the backup goalie situation, I don't think it would be unprecedented for Wolf to get the start again. He needs the reps to get back into form as well (though he looked real good last night), getting reps and repetition can really help out a goalie.

The fact we missed the playoffs by a tiebreaker last year, means all points are crucial especially ones at the beginning of this schedule which is harder than normal and with NHL weird scheduling. There will be a time to throw it to the backup and hope for the best ... getting a good start this season will be critical, and I hope they play Wolf again. He started to get into rhythm around half way through the game and although the shootout went long, didn't seemed overtly gassed since it was beginning of season.

I just have no confidence in Cooley and would hate to throw away two points this early on. Maybe some more practices and the back to back next week he gets action, but I would ride Wolf for the first few games to set us up for the season.

[Johnny Makarov]

Just winnnnnnnn!!!! Please start Wolf!

[chummer]

Vancouver radio said Cooley is starting.

[Burning Beard]

After the late game and travel last night the Flames need to come out and get a couple of quick goals before Vancouver knocks some of the first game rust off.

[Strange Brew]

I want to see Cooley personally.

[Vinny01]

If the Flames are pursuing a legit backup and that is a must add for Conroy then I would start Wolf again. It is early and he is young. If they plan to use Cooley as the backup then they should probably start him tonight

[flame4life]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I want to see Cooley personally.

In the AHL, yes, on the big club - no so much.

[kyuss275]

My guess is Cooley is on an extremely short leash. Wouldn’t be surprised if he craps the bed tonight that flames pick up veteran backup immediately. I like the guy so hoping he puts in a good game. Go flames!!!

[sch19lks]

Zary in OT

[Reggie Dunlop]

Cooley is a place-holder for Prosvetov. That's always been the plan.

Of course, maybe Cooley surprises.

[gvitaly]

I wonder if Klapka plays tonight, I think he had 1 shift after his 2nd penalty. Lomberg also had a bit of a rough game. Hopefully we see both Honzek and Parekh in the lineup tonight.

[FBI]

Parekh in?

[BigThief]

Cooley should be on a short leash and a shock collar

[Yeah_Baby]

I'm assuming there is no morning skate with the back to back?