Flames Face Predators for Crucial Showdown on Hockey Night in Canada
As the Calgary Flames continue their battle for a playoff spot, the stakes couldn’t be higher for tonight's matchup against the Nashville Predators. With the Flames sitting just one point behind the Vancouver Canucks for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, every point from here on out becomes critical. This game, taking place on Hockey Night in Canada, is more than just another regular-season contest; it's an opportunity for the Flames to gain ground as they look to extend their momentum into 2025.
The Flames have already faced the Predators four times this season, splitting the series 2-2. The most recent win, a hard-fought 4-3 victory at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, came less than a month ago, marking a significant turning point for Calgary after snapping a long road losing streak. Flames forward Ryan Lomberg spoke about the importance of that victory, reflecting on how crucial it was to secure a win on the road in that tough matchup. With both teams vying for similar playoff spots, Lomberg stressed that they will make sure tonight is not the night the Predators turn their season around.
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In goal, the Flames will look to Dustin Wolf, who has been stellar on home ice, sporting a remarkable 10-1-1 record at the Scotiabank Saddledome this season. The 2024-25 campaign has seen Flames head coach Ryan Huska rotate between Wolf and Dan Vladar, but as the team moves deeper into the second half of the season, Huska hinted that there could be more consistency in the starting goalie position based on performance. Wolf has already impressed, with a perfect record against Nashville this season, and Huska is hopeful that he will continue to deliver in this crucial game.
The Predators, meanwhile, arrive in Calgary after a 2-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night. Despite being one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league, Nashville has found a recent surge in offensive production, having scored three or more goals in six of their last seven games. Their powerplay, however, remains a struggle, ranking 22nd in the league at 18.1%. On the defensive side, their penalty kill is much more formidable, ranked 4th in the NHL at 84.3%. Flames fans will certainly need to keep an eye on the Predators’ top scorers, including veteran Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault, who have been key players for Nashville as they fight to stay in the playoff race.
For Calgary, the victory over Nashville earlier this season was part of a series sweep, which is something they hope to repeat tonight. Jonathan Huberdeau, who has been playing some of his best hockey lately, is a player to watch. With 15 points in December, Huberdeau has been crucial to the Flames' offense, and his history against the Predators—scoring his 15th career goal against them in December—only adds to the anticipation of this matchup.
The Flames are focused on capitalizing on this pivotal moment. Every game matters, and every win could make the difference between advancing into the postseason or falling short. As the team gears up for the game, it’s clear that the sense of urgency is palpable. For the Flames, securing two points against a team like the Predators is not just about making a statement—it’s about solidifying their position in a crowded Western Conference playoff race. All eyes will be on the Saddledome as these two teams battle it out for supremacy and the all-important playoff points that are becoming increasingly scarce as the season continues.
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