PREVIEW - FLAMES vs. KRAKEN

Back at it.
After a couple days between games, the Flames return to pre-season action tonight as they host the Kraken.

Friday night in Edmonton saw Dan Vladar stand on his head making 36 saves to keep the game close, but in the end the Oilers were able to hang on for the 2-1 victory. Dillon Dube provided the lone Flames marker as their pre-season record is now 3-2.

"When you play that many games tight tike that, you are using two teams really when you look at it," Flames head coach Darryl Sutter said. "So now we'll tighten it up and take the next step."
With the current camp roster reduced to 28 as of Sunday after nine players were assigned to the Calgary Wranglers and nine placed on waivers for the purpose of being assigned, it's getting down the wire.
""It's a good group and you can tell that they are the right type of guys," Sutter said on those assigned to the AHL. "There's guys in each position that got to take that next step. There's guys in those entry-levels that maybe weren't quite as good in this camp they've got work to do. That's the evolution of a young player."
"It's tough to go to the next level, very simple. There's size, strength, knowledge, everyone has lots to work on."
After tonight's clash, the Flames will be back in action Wednesday in Winnipeg before wrapping up the pre-season vs. the Jets Friday night back at the 'Dome.

THE OPPOSITION:

The Kraken have rolled to a 4-0 start to the pre-season, topping the Canucks 4-0 for their latest W this past Saturday.
Alex Wennberg led the offence with a goal and two assists, with Yani Gourde lighting the lamp twice and Matty Beniers adding a single marker.
Philipp Grubauer played the entire contest and stopped all 17 shots fired his way.
They beat the Flames 3-0 on Sept. 27, icing a veteran lineup compared to Calgary's younger players.

THE LINEUP:

Forwards
11 - Mikael Backlund
15 - Sonny Milano
17 - Milan Lucic
20 - Blake Coleman
21 - Kevin Rooney
22 - Trevor Lewis
24 - Brett Ritchie
29 - Dillon Dube
50 - Cody Eakin
63 - Adam Ruzicka
88 - Andrew Mangiapane
91 - Nazem Kadri
Defencemen
3 - Connor Mackey
8 - Chris Tanev
16 - Nikita Zadorov
26 - Michael Stone
52 - MacKenzie Weegar
55 - Noah Hanifin
Goaltenders
25 - Jacob Markstrom
80 - Dan Vladar

NEW LOOK LINE:

Sunday's practice saw Nazem Kadri centre a line with Dillon Dube and Andrew Mangiapane.
It's just one practice but it is a look we could see, pending on if and when Andrew Mangiapane makes his pre-season debut.
There's been plenty of competition to see who would slot into a possible top-six role, with Sutter still looking for the right fit.
"Because nobody else has yet, not one," he said when asked for the reason of putting Dube in the top-six. "I know Dillon, I trust Dillon he can play all three positions. I'm not sure which one it is yet."

WHERE TO WATCH:

Tonight's game will be livestreamed on CalgaryFlames.com and the Flames' app at 7 p.m.