Game Day: Flames Rolling With Vladar In Trap Game Against Coyotes

The Calgary Flames (11-10-3) had collectively one of their best efforts of the season on Saturday, beating the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Hockey Night In Canada. Now they face a less heralded opponent in the Arizona Coyotes (7-11-4) Monday night (7 p.m. MT, SN1, Sportsnet960).

Andrew Mangiapane continued to heat up, scoring twice against the Caps for his first multi-goal performance of the season. The line of Adam Ruzicka, Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman was dominant, with seven points between them. Backlund and Ruzicka each had three. 

But the biggest story continues to be goaltending, and the Calgary Flames are starting Dan Vladar again on Monday. It's the second straight start on home ice — not something you would normally see from the backup position. 

After making 29 saves in the Washington win, Vladar has earned more playing time. And with Jacob Markstrom suggesting he sucks at hockey after his most recent loss, it's allowing him to focus on his details in practices and pre-game skates. 

"A little of both," Flames head coach Darryl Sutter said on Monday. 

The Coyotes have played a lot away from home. And while their record has them sitting seventh in the Central Division with 18 points through 23 games, they have played some strong games against good opponents. They fell in overtime against the Canucks in their last outing, with Brock Boeser scoring late in OT.

"Because they've played so much on the road, they've learned to be a good road team," Sutter said of the Coyotes. "They're a really patient team. They have some young guys with really good skill and speed, and they're getting really good goaltending."

Calgary Flames Projected Lineup

Forwards:

Jonathan Huberdeau – Elias Lindholm – Tyler Toffoli

Dillon Dube – Nazem Kadri – Andrew Mangiapane

Adam Ruzicka – Mikael Backlund – Blake Coleman

Milan Lucic – Kevin Rooney – Trevor Lewis 

Defence:

Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Andersson

MacKenzie Weegar – Chris Tanev

Nikita Zadorov – Michael Stone 

Goalie: 

Dan Vladar

Arizona Coyotes Projected Lineup

Forwards:

Clayton Keller – Tyler Boyd – Nick Schmaltz

Lawson Crouse – Nick Bjugstad – Matias Maccelli

Liam O'Brien – Jack McBain – Christian Fischer

Barrett Hayton – Dylan Guenther

Defence:

Jakob Chychrun – Shayne Gostisbehere

Josh Brown – J.J. Moser

Patrik Nemeth – Troy Stecher

*Juuso Valimaki

*Lineup is 7 defencemen, 11 forwards

Goalie:

Karel Vejmelka