Game Day: Flames Try For Split in St. Louis

The Calgary Flames (19-14-9) are looking for revenge against the St. Louis Blues (21-18-3) on Thursday. 

It's a suddenly not-so-unique two-game set on the road with the Flames having experienced it earlier in the year in San Jose. 

But they won both of those. Best they can hope for here is a split after dropping a 4-3 overtime decision to the Blues on Tuesday. 

Overtime has not been kind to the Flames, or Jonathan Huberdeau, this season. And the Blues won't be backing off just because they took the extra point in the last one.

"It's a big game for us. They're right behind us in the standings. We've lost twice to them now, so it's time we get some revenge and beat them tonight," said Calgary Flames centre Mikael Backlund after the morning skate. "It's going to be an exciting game. It's always big when you play a team back-to-back — especially after you lost one — because you want to come out and show you're better. 

"We're excited for the game and we should have some good intensity and energy."

They'll need to. The Blues should feel pretty confident after coming back from a two-goal deficit in quick fashion on Tuesday. The hosts are now 4-1-0 in 2023 and are in the thick of teh wildcard hunt with the Flames and provincial rival Edmonton Oilers.

And they've accomplished this with the likes of Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O'Reilly, Torey Krug, Nick Leddy, Marco Scandella and Robert Bortuzzo out with injury. That's an expensive spares list. 

Despite the usual social media call for an injection of youth with first-round pick Jakob Pelletier on the trip with the Flames and relegated to the press box so far, the team appears set to go with the same skaters as the first game. 

But Dan Vladar will tend the twine over Jacob Markstrom — who has not been his Vezina worthy self the last couple of games … or maybe all year. 

Calgary Flames projected lineup

Forwards: 

Dillon Dube – Elias Lindholm – Tyler Toffoli

Milan Lucic – Nazem Kadri – Jonathan Huberdeau

Andrew Mangiapane – Mikael Backlund – Blake Coleman

Trevor Lewis – Adam Ruzicka – Walker Duehr

Defence:

Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Andersson

MacKenzie Weegar – Chris Tanev

Nikita Zadorov – Michael Stone

Goalie: 

Dan Vladar

St. Louis Blues projected lineup

Forwards:

Buchnevich – Thomas – Kyrou

Saad – Schenn – Barbashev

Neighbours – Acciari – Leivo

Toropchenko – Alexandrov – Pitlick

Defence:

Mikkola – Parayko

Rosen – Faulk

Tucker – Santini

Goalie

Greiss