The Calgary Flames opened their season on Wednesday night and were completely overwhelmed by the Vancouver Canucks to the tune of a 5-1 loss.
As such we'll see a much different lineup from the Flames tonight as they head into Vancover looking to return the favor by spoiling the Canucks' party in their home opener.
There were plenty of changes throughout but the biggest lineup alteration comes between the pipes as Jonas Hiller will get the nod in goal and make his first start of the season.
LINEUPS Sedin - Sedin - Sutter Baertschi - Horvat - Vrbata Burrows - McCann - Hansen Prust - Cracknell - Dorsett
Edler - Tanev Hamhuis - Bartkowski Hutton - Sbisa
Miller
--
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler Raymond - Bennett - Frolik Bollig - Backlund - Bouma Ferland - Stajan - Jones
Giordano - Hamilton Russell - Wideman Kulak - Engelland
Hiller
KEYS TO THE GAME 1) Limiting the top line. Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Brandon Sutter combined for three goals, six points and 14(!) shots in the season opener. That can't happen again.
2) Jonas Hiller. Karri Ramo posted a .886 save percentage in the season opener and let up a couple goals that simply can't go in. Hiller will need to be much better than that and if he is he'll be rewarded with more playing time. Bob Hartley is going with the 'win and you're in' rule for his goaltenders.
3) Discipline. Things tend to get heated when these teams clash but the Flames have to make sure they play smart and don't take any bad penalties. If they do you can bet the Sedins will make them pay.
4) Scoring first. This is Vancouver's home opener and it's a rivalry game, obviously. The fans will be jacked up and if the Canucks score first they'll be feeding the beast. Calgary needs to get the first one and quiet the crowd.
Puck drop is just after 10 eastern on CBC.
Recent posts: Get Tim Murray on line 1