Preview: Calgary Flames @ Dallas Stars 2/27/18 (64/82): Wild Card Positioning Is On The Line Tonight

Calgary Flames @ Dallas Stars, 6:30 PM MT, American Airlines Center, Dallas TX

The big games just keep on coming! Calgary hits the road for 2 VERY important games, the first being a stop in Dallas to tangle with the Stars. Dallas owns the 7th playoff spot and Calgary is just outside in 9th place in the Western Conference playoff race, separated by only 1 point.

The Flames are riding a modest 2 game winning streak behind solid goaltending from their newest starter Jon Gillies. Calgary has also quenched some of their scoring drought issues with 10 goals in their last 2 games. The Flames are one of the league’s better teams when they hit the road with a record of 18-8-5, even if one of those 8 losses came in Dallas back on November 24th by the score of 6-4.

Dallas opened the month of February by winning 5 straight with plenty of goal scoring and absolutely lights out goaltending. But since February 11th it has been a completely different story for the Stars. Dallas has only scored 8 goals in their last 6 games and they’ve been shut out twice and surrendered 5 goals or more 3 times.

Much like the Flames, Dallas’ schedule doesn’t get any easier. After tonight’s WC battle with Calgary the Stars have to contend with Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Nashville, Anaheim and Pittsburgh. The Stars have taken both contests with the Flames this season and they’ve outscored Calgary 8-5 in the two wins. The Flames are 5-5-0 in their last 10 trips to Dallas.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Dallas Stars Coverage: Defending Big D

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 5 Colorado Avalanche 1

Calgary won their second straight with Jon Gillies in net and more importantly, they got some breathing room in the WC race by defeating the Avalanche 5-1 Saturday afternoon. Gillies stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced and the Flames got a multi point games from Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk. Here’s our recap and the highlights from NHL.com

Dallas Stars 3 Winnipeg Jets 5

Dallas lost for the third time in 4 games on Saturday by falling to the Winnipeg Jets 5-3. The Stars scored 10 seconds in and then the Jets took over. Dallas surrendered 5 consecutive second period goals and that was all she wrote. Defending Big D has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Jon Gillies (G). Gillies could be in line for his 3rd straight start and he’s calmed the Flames crease down after David Rittich went 1-3-1 in his 5 games as the Flames started after Mike Smith went down with a groin injury. Gillies has allowed only 3 goals in his 2 starts on 66 total shots. If the Flames are truly in win now mode, then Gillies should be the man between the pipes until he proves he doesn’t belong.

Dallas Stars

Alexander Radulov (F). The 4th year forward has 3 points in his last 2 games and that’s something seeing Dallas has struggled with their offence as of late. He’s also excelled against the Flames this season with 2 goals and an assist in the 2 games the teams have played. Home ice suits Radulov as he’s collected 34 points in 32 home games in 2017-18.

by Mark Parkinson