The Calgary Flames (17-12-7) wrap up an eventful 2024 calendar year with a battle against a familiar foe at the Scotiabank Saddledome, hosting the Vancouver Canucks (17-10-8).
Tonight is the third of four meetings this season, with the two splitting their first games as Calgary won 6-5 in overtime on Oct. 9, and Vancouver collected a 3-1 win in the last contest.
Between the pipes, Dustin Wolf is set to start and will look to become the latest netminder to win ten home games in a single season, following Jacob Markstrom, who won 13 contests at the Saddledome last season.
Before that, he earned 12 wins (2022-23), 22 (2021-22), and 13 (2020-21), becoming the first one to reach double digits since Mike Smith in 2017-18.
Wolf’s one of the NHL’s best netminders at home with a 9-1-1 record with a 2.06 GAA and .935 SV through 11 games. He’s 11-5-2 this year with a 2.70 GAA and .912 SV%. Interestingly, Tuesday will be his first career start against the Canucks.
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Meanwhile, the Flames will look for a bounceback performance against the Canucks after getting shutout 3-0 by the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday on the second night of a back-to-back over the weekend.
Additionally, tonight will be a critical game for both clubs. Vancouver (42) is just one point ahead of Calgary (41) for fourth place in the Pacific Division.
Currently, the Canucks are 3-3-4 in their last ten and will be without Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes for another contest. The visitors will start Kevin Lankinen, who is 14-5-4 this season with a 2.61 GAA and .907 SV%.
In his career, he’s been lights out against Calgary, with a 2-1-0 record, an even better 1.81 GAA, and a .943 SV%.
Ultimately, whoever wins tonight’s tilt will end 2024 in a playoff spot, as Vancouver currently holds down the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference.
Flames & Canucks Leaders
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Goals: Jonathan Huberdeau (15) / Jake Debrusk (16)
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Assists: MacKenzie Weegar (15) / Quinn Hughes (34)
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Points: Jonathan Huberdeau (27) / Quinn Hughes (42)
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PIM: Martin Pospisil (51) / Danton Heinen (29)
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PPG: Jonathan Huberdeau & Yegor Sharangovich (3) / Jake DeBrusk (6)
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SOG: Nazem Kadri (122) / Quinn Hughes (109)
Per the Flames staff at NHL.com, here’s a breakdown of tonight’s lineup. (Subject to change)
FORWARDS
Jonathan Huberdeau — Nazem Kadri — Martin Pospisil
Blake Coleman — Mikael Backlund — Matt Coronato
Yegor Sharangovich — Connor Zary — Jakob Pelletier