Calgary Flames (18-14-7) at Anaheim Ducks (17-18-4)
When: Tuesday, 8 p.m. MT, Honda Center
TV: Sportsnet West. Radio: Sportsnet 960 The Fan
Odds: Flames +112, Ducks -134
The buzz
On the Flames’ list of New Year’s resolutions, a better road record must be among the top priorities. They own a 5-8-4 record so far this season in enemy territory. Across the NHL, only two teams — the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets — have collected fewer points in their away whites. As the Flames try to turn that tide (and try to rebound from back-to-back losses in their own building), they are travelling with 30-some of their biggest fans this week on their Mom’s Trip.
The Ducks should not be underestimated. They’ve won four of six since the holiday break and each of those victories have come against legitimate contenders — the Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets and Tampa Bay Lightning. Right-winger Troy Terry was just named the NHL’s second star of the week. He’s burst for four goals and six points in a four-game span.
The quote
“I love having my mom here. I think these trips are so important because, at times, you forget about all the work that a parent has done for you along the way. Usually, people talk about the dads. But in reality, a lot of times, the moms do the heavy lifting and dads often take a lot of the credit. For a lot of these players, they remember how important a parent is, and in this case their moms, in regards to getting them ready to play and maybe being the shoulder to cry on. Especially when they were younger players, when they needed a little advice, it always seems to be mom that the player would go to. So I think the players are really fortunate to have their moms on this trip and it’s so nice to be able to have them get a taste of what an NHL road trip is like.”
— Head coach Ryan Huska, in conversation with FlamesTV, on what makes this such a special sojourn
The news
• Honda Center was, for a long time, a house of horrors for the Flames. That’s not the case anymore. The Calgary-based crew is currently riding an eight-game winning streak in Anaheim, including a pair of victories last season.
• Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano had a darn good weekend. He inked a three-year contract extension with the Ducks — an US$18-million deal that includes some deferred money — and then racked up two goals and an assist in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• Ducks goalie John Gibson registered his 200th win Sunday, all of those in the same uniform, and is now just six shy of matching Jean-Sebastien Giguere’s franchise record.
• The Flames need some serious improvement from their penalty kill. They have allowed at least one power-play goal in six straight games. Their season-long success rate of 70.4 per cent is third-worst among all NHL teams.
• Check back after Tuesday’s morning skate for lineup updates.
The projected lineup
Forwards
Huberdeau-Kadri-Pospisil
Coleman-Backlund-Coronato
Pelletier-Zary-Sharangovich
Lomberg-Rooney-Kuzmenko
Defence
Bahl-Andersson
Hanley-Weegar
Bean-Pachal
Goalies
Vladar
Wolf
The injuries
While Justin Kirkland and Anthony Mantha are both recovering from season-ending knee surgeries, they are on this special trip with their moms.
In case you missed it
The Flames Quarter-Century Team will be announced this coming weekend. We want to hear who you’d have on your all-star squad for the past 25 years.