Preview: Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks 10/14/17, (6/82): Who Are These Flames?

Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks, 8 PM MT, Rogers Arena, Vancouver BC

The Flames roll into Vancouver tonight after getting absolutely annihilated by the Ottawa Senators Friday night 6-0. Calgary showed little to no effort after the first period and left Mike Smith out dry multiple times in the contest. If you can take any success from that game it’s the fact that the Flames didn’t give up 40+ shots to the Senators. Calgary’s special teams, which were playing very well coming into the game, faltered and surrendered 3 PPG while taking 7 penalties over 3 periods. Tonight the Flames need to start finding out which team they are. Are they the team that out-muscled the Ducks in a 2-0 win or are they the lifeless team that Ottawa slapped around for 2 periods last night? The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle, but less games like last night would be better.

The Canucks meanwhile come into this contest losers of two straight, one in a shootout to the Ottawa Senators. Jacob Markstrom struggled in his last start, surrendering 3 goals on only 19 shots to the Winnipeg Jets. The big question coming into this season for the ‘Nucks is how much is left in the tank for the Sedin’s? Both brothers are 37 and have 4 points combined so far this season. The 2017-18 is young and they are the heart of the Canucks so don’t expect them to start looking at retirement homes just yet.

Calgary and Vancouver played twice in the preseason with Vancouver winning both games by a total of 8-4. Calgary found themselves on the losing end of their 5 game series last season, only winning twice in 2016-17.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 0 Ottawa Senators 6

The Flames played a very solid first period against the Senators, it’s too bad hockey games last 3 periods. Calgary was out “everything’d” against the Senators, as they were manhandled 6-0. The Flames took too many penalties, looked lackadaisical and flat out tired. Mike Smith was yanked after 5 goals allowed, but it would be hard to put all of those on him as Calgary played very poorly in front of him. Here’s our recap and the highlights from NHL.com

Vancouver Canucks 2 Winnipeg Jets 4

The Canucks last took to the ice on Thursday night and were dispatched by the Jets 4-2. It was a rough night for Vancouver’s netminder Jacob Markstrom who gave up 3 goals on 19 shots. Canucks Misconduct has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Jaromir Jagr (F). Jagr had 4 shots on goal last night looked more comfortable on the ice. He got time on every line, minus the 4th and could start seeing time up top with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. It will be interesting to see how the 45 year old handles back to back games.

Vancouver Canucks

Thomas Vanek (F). Vanek has a goal and an assist so far this season, but he had a successful campaign last year. Vanek had 48 points in 68 games, collecting 25 of those at home.

by Mark Parkinson