Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames - Saturday December 20 - 7:00 p.m. - Hockey Night in Canada, TSN1040
Vancouver Canucks: 18-11-2 38 points third in Pacific Division
Calgary Flames: 17-15-2 36 points fifth in Pacific Division
Just two weeks ago, the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames were flying high—exceeding expectations and dreaming of a return to the playoffs.
Tonight, they're boasting the NHL's two longest current losing streaks. The Canucks have lost three games and are winless in five, while the Flames fell 2-1 to Dallas on Friday night to stretch their losing streak to a dismal seven games.
It seems almost impossible to believe that one of these teams is guaranteed to walk away with two points tonight.
The Canucks sure could use 'em. They've been passed in the Pacific Division standings this week by the San Jose Sharks (now with 40 points) and caught by the Los Angeles Kings (who have played two more games but are now at 38). A win by the Flames tonight would also put them at 38, though Vancouver would still have three games in hand.
If you're looking for a positive, consider the fact that the Canucks have owned the Flames in recent years, and are perfect in the Willie Desjardins era.
Vancouver beat Calgary 4-2 in this year's season opener, ran the table with a 5-0 record last year, and was 4-1 in the lockout year, with the only loss coming in Calgary in March of 2013.
To make that happen tonight, they're going to need to score some goals after being shut out by the Stars on Wednesday. Willie Desjardins shuffled his lines again in practice over the last couple of days, putting Alex Burrows with Derek Dorsett and Bo Horvat while Jannik Hansen skates with Bonino and Higgins:
Burrows has also stayed on the first unit power play. I still like the idea of putting big body Shawn Matthias in front of the goaltender, but Burrows sounds like he has the right attitude about his opportunity:
Burrows is one of just nine skaters at the Canucks' optional skate this morning:
Look for Ryan Miller to get the start in net.
Canucks.com
is reporting that Jonas Hiller may take on the dreaded back-to-back goaltending assignments for the Flames, as backup Karri Ramo hasn't been feeling well. He missed practice on Thursday but was back on Friday, so it's probably just a question of whether or not he feels strong enough to play tonight:
Here's a note about that probably won't surprise too many Canucks fans: Mason Raymond had five goals and seven points in his first seven games as a Flame, but has been pointless since October 19. He missed about six weeks of action after suffering a shoulder injury in late October, but hasn't connected once since returning to action six games ago.
As for the Canucks, their injured players are taking baby steps towards getting back into the lineup:
Canucks Prospects Virtanen, Demko, Cassels Ready to Go for World Juniors
One other quick note before I sign off for today.
Team Canada made the finals cuts to its World Junior roster on Friday night after a 2-1 loss to Russia. So it's official: Canucks' first-round draft choice Jake Virtanen is on the team.
The U.S. roster still needs to be cut by four more players. Goaltender Thatcher Demko looks like he'll be the No. 1, and center Cole Cassels is in the mix—never mind that he's currently suspended in the OHL. According to this article from
NHL.com, Cassels' two wingers were cut after Friday night's exhibition game, but he survived.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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