5 THINGS - FLAMES @ CANUCKS

FLAMES (16-14-3: 35 pts) vs. VANCOUVER CANUCKS (15-14-4: 34 pts)

1. US

The Flames lost their second straight game, falling 2-0 to the Nashville Predators Saturday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary outshot the Preds 32-28 but weren't able to solve Pekke Rinne … Calgary has outshot their opponent in eight of the last nine games. In that span the Flames have 336 shots to their opponents 251.

2. THEM

The Canucks are coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 15 at home. Daniel Sedin tied a career high for most assists (3) in a game while Markus Granlund tied a career high for most goals (2).Sam Gagner recorded the game-winner in OT … Vancouver is 3-4 so far in the month of December.

3. US vs. THEM

This will be the final game of a four-game season series between the Flames and Canucks. Calgary currently has the upper hand with a 2-1-0 record in this go 'round. Matthew Tkachuk has four points (2G - 2A) in the three games against the Canucks. The Flames won last year's season series with a 2-1-1-1 record … Calgary is 6-2-1-1 in their last 10 tilts against Vancouver (Goals For: 35, Goals Against: 24).

4. THIS, THAT & THE OTHER

THIS: The Flames have played some of their best hockey on the road so far this season. The team has a record of 8-4-3 in opponent's barns and have picked up a point in four straight road games. Monahan has scored 11 of his 17 goals on the road while Mikael Backlund has scored five of his seven goals on the road ... THAT: The Flames are currently in the middle of their fifth back-to-back of the season as they hosted the Nashville Predators Saturday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames have been better in the second game of a back-to-back this season with a 3-1-0 record. Calgary has won two straight in the second game of the pair (Nov. 25, 3-2 at Colorado, and Dec 6, 3-2 (OT) at Montreal) ... THE OTHER: This is another important divisional match-up for the Flames, who are currently 5-4-0 against Pacific opponents this season.

5. PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Flames:D Travis Hamonic
Last time the Flames played on the Left Coast, Hamonic notched his first goal in the Flaming C.
Canucks:RW Boeser
The second-year sensation has been on fire this season, leading the Canucks in both goals and point. He has two goals and three points in three games against the Flames this season.