Calgary trying to end three-game losing streak; Vancouver seeking back-to-back wins
ByKevin Woodley
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
FLAMES (16-14-3) at CANUCKS (15-14-4) 8 p.m. ET; SN, NHL.TV
The Flames are 0-2-1 in the past three games and 2-4-2 in the past eight after a 2-0 loss against the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Backup goalie David Rittich is expected to start after Mike Smith made 26 saves in the loss to Nashville. Jacob Markstrom will start for the Canucks after making 34 saves to help Vancouver end a four-game losing streak with a 4-3 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks on Friday.
Players to watch
Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk has two goals and two assists in three games against Vancouver this season and eight points (three goals, five assists) in a seven-game point streak against the Canucks. Canucks rookie forward Brock Boeser has four goals and one assist in a five-game point streak.
They said it
"We'll try to improve on what we need to do better and we'll get back at it. It's another big game." -- Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton after the loss to Nashville "We talk about going back and forth, playing one good game and then maybe taking our foot off the gas. We have to stay consistent with our effort and string together a couple wins." - Canucks defenseman Michael Del Zotto
Jagr returned Saturday after missing five games with a lower-body injury. Jagr is 38 games behind Gordie Howe (1,767) for first all-time in NHL games played. … Hutton limped off the ice at practice Saturday but expects to play. Gudbranson, who has missed 11 games with an upper-body injury, practiced Saturday and could return Sunday or Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens.
Stat pack
Gaudreau has five points (two goals, three assists) in his past 11 games after getting 22 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in the previous 12. … Daniel Sedin has nine points (one goal, eight assists) in his past eight games. He leads the Canucks in career scoring against the Flames with 88 points (29 goals, 59 assists) in 92 games.
