The Vancouver Canucks always seem to bring out the best in the Calgary Flames.
That proved true again on Friday night as, after scoring just four goals in their first three preseason games, the Flames potted four and carried play throughout en route to a 4-1 victory.
The Flames will be hoping for similar results tonight as they are in Vancouver for the latter half of a home-and-home.
It won't be easy, though, as the Canucks are expected to ice a lineup featuring Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Radim Vrbata and Ryan Miller, among others, in front of their home crowd.
Puck drop is at 10 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet and the NHL Network (U.S.)
Let's take a look at the projected lineup for the Flames:
Brandon Bollig - Matt Stajan - David Jones Mason Raymond - Joe Colborne - Emile Poirier Josh Jooris - Markus Granlund - Garnet Hathaway Morgan Klimchuk - Turner Elson - Blair Riley
Ryan Wilson - Rasmus Andersson Oliver Kylington - Brett Kulak Tyler Wotherspoon - Kenney Morrison
Karri Ramo Joni Ortio
What to watch:
- With T.J. Brodie and Ladislav Smid out of the picture for the next little while there are a couple spots on defense up for grabs. The Flames are dressing a lot of bubble players tonight - particularly on defense - so this will be a good opportunity for someone to step forward and prove they're deserving of a spot.
The Flames have been impressed with Oliver Kylington and Rasmus Andersson and are giving them long looks as such. That said I think Tyler Wotherspoon and potentially Ryan Wilson will be the ones sticking around - at least for a few weeks - when all is said and done.
- A lot of bubble players are suiting up at forward as well. This could be the last chance for some of these guys to make an impression before the next wave of cuts so it'll be interesting to see who steps up.
- Joni Ortio is having a very good camp. Jonas Hiller is having a good camp. Karri Ramo has been the least impressive of the three thus far. He needs to be better or he could find himself as the odd man out of the crowded crease.
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