The Calgary Flames play their final home game of the season tonight as they host the Vancouver Canucks in a battle of Canadian disappointment teams.
I think it's fair to say the majority of people expected both teams to regress but any time a team goes from the playoffs one year to a bottom feeder the next it has to be a huge let down for all involved.
That's what has transpired, though, so a year after these teams met in the playoffs they are now duking it out for a better chance at Auston Matthews (or Patrik Laine/Jesse Puljujarvi).
There really isn't anything separating the two teams this year as, entering the night, they are in a tie for 3rd last with 73 points through 80 games.
Vancouver's final game is at home against Edmonton while the Flames are in Minnesota to take on a playoff bound Wild team. With that in mind one would think the Canucks have a better chance of picking up points in their season finale so a Flames loss tonight could all but clinch them 3rd last heading into the lottery.
That'd be the most meaningful win for the Flames all season.
LINEUPS
Gaudreau - Monahan - Shinkaruk Bouma - Backlund - Colborne Ferland - Bennett - Jooris Bollig - Stajan - Grant
Brodie - Hamilton Giordano - Engelland Jokipakka - Nakladal
Ortio
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Sedin - Sedin - Hansen McCann - Granlund - Vey Higgins - Horvat - Etem Pedan - Gaunce - Burrows
Hamhuis - Tanev Hutton - Tryamkin Bartkowski - Biega
Miller
Notes
1) Hunter Shinkaruk and Markus Granlund will square off against their former teams for the first time. Through five games with the Flames Shinkaruk has two goals, three points and is a 46.6% possession player at 5 v 5. Granlund has two goals and zero assists in 12 games while the Canucks control just 44.4% of the shot attempts with him on the ice at full-strength.
2) Since March 1st the Canucks have been unbelievably bad as they've controlled just 46.6% of 5 v 5 shot attempts and have posted a league-worst minus-20 goal differential at full-strength.
3) Joe Colborne has tallied 14 points in his last 12 games.
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