Flames Face Tough Kraken Squad In Key Divisional Matchup

The Calgary Flames effort in Thursday's loss was abysmal. So what better way to rebound than another contest in a new city less than 24 hours later?

In Seattle to take on the Pacific Division leading Kraken, the Flames are looking to forget the 5-1 mess against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Saddledome. 

"It's a fresh day, a new day," head coach Darryl Sutter told reporters in the pacific northwest. "We're dealing with a team that's top in our division. That's what today's about."

Brett Ritchie was activated off IR, with defenceman Chris Tanev making his way onto that list. Prospects Walker Duehr and Jakob Pelletier remain, but will both likely be sent back down the the AHL with the Calgary Flames on a nine-day break after Friday's contest. 

If they get the chance to play one more, they'll both hope to leave a lasting impression. Offensive contributions from anywhere will be really important against a Kraken team with a really strong group of defencemen and one of the most well-rounded offensive performances in the league so far. 

"They haven't been a slow-moving train. They made some really big additions in the summer," said Sutter. "I think Martin Jones really solidified their goaltending situation, if you look at it.

"I think the guys they brought in, in the summer, were offence. The guys they took in the expansion (draft), the defencemen were real solid guys. Look at Dunn and Larsson, them guys are having career years. They've already hit career numbers. So that adds up to a good season."

The Flames have to be better in every area after Thursday's debacle. They escaped the first period with a 1-1 tie but gave up three more in the second period and then an empty netter to seal it. Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin struggled, but so did Nikita Zadorov and MacKenzie Weegar. The Flames are not the same team without Tanev. And the Kraken won't make a rebound easy. 

"They're a high-pressure team. They try to pressure everywhere and they've had a good start to the season," said Andersson. "I think they're leading the division, it's pretty tight up there. You've got to make short, quick plays and put the pucks in. That's the worst for a d-man, when the puck keeps coming behind you and you've got to go pick it up. Get on the forecheck, get to the net, and throw a lot of pucks on there."

Goaltender Dan Vladar is looking to tie a franchise record of undefeated starts — which would be a great way to enter the bye week and all-star break.

"Nine days off, you want to go on the break and have a good feeling," Andersson said. "It's a big game tonight. Leave it all out there and go get some rest."