Flames expect Ferland, Hudler back for Game 2

Sunday, 05.03.2015 / 4:17 PM

By Curtis Zupke - NHL.com Correspondent / Ducks-Flames series blog

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ANAHEIM -- Calgary Flames left wing Micheal Ferland is expected to return to the lineup for Game 2 of the Western Conference Second Round series against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Sunday (10 p.m. ET; CNBC, SN, TVA Sports).

Coach Bob Hartley said "everyone's a game-time decision" but indicated Ferland and right wing Jiri Hudler likely will be in the lineup after they each sustained an undisclosed injury ina 6-1 loss in Game 1 on Thursday.

"We told you that we expected them to play, and they will probably play," Hartley said.

Ferland did rushes with usual linemates Matt Stajan and David Jones, and said he is good to go. He left Game 1 after the first period when he was hit high after Jones checked Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen into him behind the net; he also collided with Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin at the boards.

The two days between games was beneficial.

"Every day's huge," Ferland said. "My body's feeling really good right now."

Hartley had left open the possibility of personnel changes but the forward lines appeared the same as Game 1 and defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon came off early, an indication that he will not be replaced by defenseman Raphael Diaz.

Anaheim leads the best-of-7 series 1-0. The Flames are not only trying to get a split but change the perception that they are overmatched against the bigger and deeper Ducks. Hartley acknowledged as much when talking about playing better in the neutral zone.

"Every line, they have some great skaters, they have some great pressure," Hartley said. "Here's a team, they're favored to win the Stanley Cup. They can beat you in so many ways. For us, we have one goal: it's to play the perfect game."

Including the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Calgary has lost 20 straight games in Anaheim since April 27, 2006. The Flames certainly would like the returns of Ferland and Hudler to be a boost, but they're used to whatever adversity they face.

"It's been like that all year," defenseman TJ Brodie said. "Everyone's in this together. Everyone plays for each other. Even when a guy goes down with an injury or something, guys step up and fill that role."

Here are the projected lineups: