A Visit From the Ghost of Calgary Flames Future: A Game Day Preview

Much like that of Ebenezer Scrooge, Calgary General Manager Craig Conroy will get a potential look into a possibly dark future tonight. In Craig’s case, he will see how the Flames defence core plays without the services of July 1st UFA Chris Tanev when Calgary Flames finish out a road back-to-back tonight against the Golden Knights. If it’s anything like last night’s third period collapse, you may see a change in tune from the Flames brain trust regarding trading Tanev at the deadline.  

Vegas most recently extracted a sloppy two points from the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. Similar to what Calgary accomplished last night, Vegas blew a two-goal lead in the third period. Less similar was that Bruce Cassidy’s crew managed to stop the bleeding and get the game to overtime. 

A couple notes and observations prior to the game. 

Calgary Flames (11-14-3, 25 pts) vs Vegas Golden Knights (19-5-5, 43 pts)   

Time: 8:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.    

TV: Sportsnet One, Sportsnet West, ESPN

Patchwork 

Chris Tanev left the ice only 15 seconds into the first after receiving an awkward hit from Colorado forward Ross Colton. The 33-year-old did not return and has been confirmed to be sitting out tonight.  

The good news is that the Flames have an extra defenceman on the roster, Jordan Oesterle, that can step into the lineup. The bad news is that the blue line is now looking top-heavy and defensively lacking.  

Hanifin-Andersson

Oesterle-Weegar

Gilbert-DeSimone

One month ago, Jordan Oesterle, Dennis Gilbert, and Ilya Solovyov were in a dead-heat rally to earn the sixth and final spot in the lineup. With Nikita Zadorov traded to Vancouver (the Flames are 2-4-0 since moving the Russian) and Chris Tanev feeling the effects of the Ross Colton hit, that final-spot derby is now bleeding into the top four.  

Sharp Opposition 

Vegas is coming into the game playing well: 4-0-1 in December, 4.20 goals for per game (4th), and 2.20 goals against per game. Jack Eichel is on a seven game point streak amassing four goals and eight assists since Nov. 28. Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Marchessault is coming off a two goal performance against San Jose. Calgary will be seeing its defensive game pushed to the limit.  

Spare a Tissue for a Schedule Issue 

Despite their hot record, Vegas is playing their tenth game in 18 nights. Fatigue will catch up to them sooner or later.  

Naz 

With a goal and an assist against Colorado, Nazem Kadri built on his lead in both assists (13) and points (20) over the rest of the Flames. Blake Coleman holds the lead in the goals category with eight after potting a low glove wrist shot past Bulgarian goaltender Alexandar Georgiev last night.  

Calgary Flames Projected Lineup 

Mangiapane-Lindholm-Sharangovich

Zary-Kadri-Pospisil

Huberdeau-Backlund-Coleman

Greer-Ruzicka-Dube

Hanifin-Andersson

Oesterle-Weegar

Gilbert-DeSimone

Wolf

Vladar 

Vegas Golden Knights Projected Lineup  

Based on last game.  

Barbashev – Eichel – Stone  

Howden – Stephenson – Marchessault  

Cotter – Karlsson – Amadio  

Carrier – Roy – Kolesar  

Hutton – Pietrangelo  

McNabb – Korczak  

Hague – Whitecloud  

Thompson 

Patera