THE SKINNY: FLAMES VS. AVALANCHE - GAME 2

GAME 2 - WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND - FLAMES LEAD SERIES 1-0

SERIES SCHEDULE:

Game 1:
Flames 4, Avalanche 0
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>> RELATED: Watch Game Recap 
Game 2: Tonight
Game 3: April 15, 8 p.m. - Pepsi Center
Game 4: April 17, 8 p.m. - Pepsi Center
x-Game 5: April 19, TBD - Scotiabank Saddledome
x-Game 6: April 21, TBD - Pepsi Center
x-Game 7: April 23, TBD - Scotiabank Saddledome
x-if necessary

LEADING SCORERS

Flames:
1. Matthew Tkachuk (2-0-2)
2. Andrew Mangiapane (1-0-1)
3. Mikael Backlund (1-0-1)
Avalanche:
N/A

SPECIAL TEAMS

Powerplay:
Flames - 40.0%
Avs - 0.0%
Penalty kill:
Flames - 100.0%
Avs - 60.0%

GAME-DAY STORIES:

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SETTIN' IT UP:

The Flames opened the Western Conference First Round series with a decisive, 4-0 victory in Game 1 on Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Andrew Mangiapane opened the scoring on a beautiful solo effort at 14:25 of the second period, before Matthew Tkachuk padded the lead on a powerplay with just over a minute to play in the stanza. Mikael Backlund supplied the dagger with a PPG late in the contest, while Tkachuk scored into the empty net only 14 seconds later to set a new record for the fastest two playoff goals in franchise history. Mike Smith was absolutely sensational, pitching his fourth-career playoff shutout by stopping all 26 shots he faced, and picked up an assist on Tkachuk's late tally to round out a flawless evening between the pipes. … With his game-winning goal Thursday, Mangiapane became the eighth rookie in franchise history to score a goal in his first-career playoff game. The last to do it was Mark Giordano back in 2007 against the Detroit Red Wings. … Neither team is expected to make any lineup changes, with Smith getting the call again for Calgary, and Phillip Grubauer slated to get the start for Colorado. … The Flames, who are looking to grab a 2-0 series lead with a victory tonight, have won all four meetings against the Avalanche this year (regular season included), out-scoring them 18-10 in the process.

THIS, THAT, & THE OTHER:

THIS: Mike Smith became the first goaltender in Flames franchise history to record a shutout in a playoff series-opening game. Additionally, Smith became the fourth goaltender in an NHL lore to record a series-opening shutout at age 37 or older. The others: Gump Worsley (42 years, 327 days on Game 1 of 1972 QF), Tim Thomas (37 years, 363 days on Game 1 of 2012 CQF) and Georges Vezina (37 years, 47 days on Game 1 of 1924 NHLF). ... THAT: Smith currently owns the best playoff save percentage in NHL history (dating back to 1955-56) with .947 in 20 post-season appearances. Tim Thomas (.933 SV%), Jonas Hiller (.930 SV%), Braden Holtby (.929 SV%), and Craig Anderson (.929) round out the Top 5. ... THE OTHER:With Matthew Tkachuk's two-goal performance in Game 1, he became the third-youngest player (21 years, 121 days) in franchise history to record two goals in a Stanley Cup Playoff game. Dan Quinn accomplished this feat twice during his 20-year-old season back in 1986. Tkachuk is also the seventh-youngest player in franchise history to score a playoff goal in the last 30 years. The youngest was Jarome Iginla (18 years, 297 days) in 1996.

QUOTABLE:

"Sometimes you have to do some things that don't feel too good all the time. You know what you're doing and you put yourself in a position to do it, and anything at this time of year to help the team. Everyone's got a role and a job to do, and especially on the (penalty) kill. That's an important part of our PK is guys getting in lanes and sacrificing the body. Guys have done it all year and that's a big key for us moving forward." - Travis Hamonic, who had a game-high six blocked shots in Game 1.