Flames loose with second shot to close out Canucks

CALGARY -- Calgary Flames coach Bob Hartley wants his team to step back and enjoy the situation in advance of Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round series against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday (9 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports).

With a chance to reach the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 11 years and eliminate the Canucks, Hartley stressed the significance of his players relishing the moment.

"That has been our mindset since Day One of training camp; that's our culture," he said. "We're asking a lot from all of us in this organization, but at the same time it's a game. It's a game and we earned the right to play this game tonight so let's enjoy it.

"I know lots of my friends that would pay big money to be behind the bench instead of me and I know lots of players that would pay big money to be in my players' skates tonight. It's us, and while we're there we have a job to do, but at the same time let's enjoy it."

The Flames hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series and with a win can clinch an entry into the second round for the second time since winning the Stanley Cup in 1989.

Calgary let one opportunity to close out the Canucks slip away, losing 2-1 in Game 5 on Thursday in Vancouver. The Flames said they aren't feeling anxious in advance of Game 6.

"I don't know if I would say there's too much pressure on us, our season isn't on the line," forward Brandon Bollig said. “We're looking to end theirs tonight and advance to the second round. I don't think as far as nerves and things like that, I don't think there's any pressure on us. We're looking to end the series tonight and do it the way we want and earn the win. That's our mindset and that's our focus, but as far as everything else I don't think we're worried too much about it and pretty much focused on all we need to do."

Game 7, if necessary, is scheduled for Monday in Vancouver.

"We're definitely not looking to take it to Game 7," Bollig said. "It's a one-game-win-all type deal. We know if we lose [Game 6] we're not done, but I think we need to look at it like we have the desperation and mindset. They were much more desperate last game and we have to match theirs or surpass it.

"We have to bring much more intensity tonight and we're going to have to go out and earn it. We know we have to do all the little things and win every battle and earn the win tonight."

Here are the projected lineups:

CANUCKS

Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Jannik Hansen

Sven Baertschi - Nick Bonino - Radim Vrbata

Ronalds Kenins - Bo Horvat - Derek Dorsett

Chris Higgins - Brad Richardson - Shawn Matthias

Alexander Edler – Christopher Tanev

Dan Hamhuis - Yannick Weber

Luca Sbisa - Kevin Bieksa

Ryan Miller

Eddie Lack

Scratched: Linden Vey, Ryan Stanton, Brandon McMillan

Injured: Alexandre Burrows (upper body), Zack Kassian (back)

FLAMES

Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Jiri Hudler

Sam Bennett - Mikael Backlund - Joe Colborne

Micheal Ferland - Matt Stajan - David Jones

Brandon Bollig - Josh Jooris - Mason Raymond

Kris Russell - Dennis Wideman

TJ Brodie - Deryk Engelland

Tyler Wotherspoon - David Schlemko

Jonas Hiller

Karri Ramo

Scratched: Markus Granlund, Corey Potter, Drew Shore

Injured: Ladislav Smid (upper body), Paul Byron (lower body), Mark Giordano (torn biceps tendon), Raphael Diaz (lower body), (lower body), Lance Bouma (upper body)

Status update: The Flames held an optional morning skate but are expected to go with the same lineup as Game 5.

Who's hot: Hiller has a 1.84 goals-against average and .942 save percentage through the first five games of the series. His 147 saves rank third among playoff goaltenders. … Russell leads the Flames with four points. His two goals are tied for team-best.