None of the teams are in a do-or-die situation, but both sides know the importance of their meeting when Vancouver Canucks visits Calgary Flames on Wednesday evening.
Even with more than a month left in the regular season, the collision of the utmost importance with Vancouver is a point behind Calgary in the hunt for the Western Conference’s second Wild-Card position. Flames has a game in his hand.
“It just gets more heated and bigger games. We have to find a way,” said Canucks forward Dakota Joshua.
The team comes from a 4-2 home loss to Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Vancouver has lost two straight matches and has won only two of their last six excursions.
Adding the disappointment was how Canucks feels that they let an opportunity slip away towards Montreal by falling behind 3-0 before falling briefly with their comeback attempt.
“We started solid, but they went up 3-0, and it’s a big hill to climb,” Vancouver said forward Elias Pettersson. “We cannot sit down in such a position.”
Canucks can get a much needed boost. Coach Rick Tochet said that Captain Quinn Hughes, who leads the team in points with 60 points (14 goals, 46 assists), will travel with the team.
“A good opportunity he could be in,” Tochet said of the dynamic defender who has missed the last four matches due to injury.
Anyway, Canucks are well aware that they must snap their losing line soon and how much it would mean for it to happen to the flames.
“It’s a team we’re fighting for a (playoffs) place. It’s a must-win for us,” Pettersson said. “You have to reload, recharge and be ready for it. It will be tough.”
Tocchet would not reveal if he will start in goal Kevin Lankinen, even if he played against Montreal, or would turn to Arturs Silovs.
Meanwhile, the flames are back in action for the first time since their 1-0 victory over Canadiens on Saturday.
Calgary, who returned from a difficult sex match road trip and won that victory, has spent a few days preparing for Wednesday’s showdown with the Wild-Card position to take hold.
“It’s exciting for everyone. Fans, players, everyone involved in a playoffs knows there will be some nail pieces and some entertainment, some fun games to look at,” Nazem Kadri said after training on Tuesday. “So we look forward to it.”
Flames, who are 2-0-2 in their last four matches, has won two of three meetings with Vancouver this season. Canucks collisions have always had extra Oomph, but this one is on another level.
“Every game is the big game for us, but what I think is cool, it’s a little buzzing around the city right now. I love it,” said Flames coach Ryan Huska. “I feel like because of that excitement, our building becomes tougher and tougher for teams to come in and play against us. We have to find a way to use it to our advantage.”
That said, the key to victory will not let the moment become an obstacle.
“It is important to stay ready and composed, just honestly treat it as if it is another game,” Kadri said. “If you approach every game as it is a big game, when the big games come, you will be prepared for them.”
Expect Calgary to start Rookie goalkeeper Dustin Wolf, who comes from the suspension over Montreal.
-Field level media
