The Calgary Flames hold the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, five points ahead of their next opponent, the St. Louis Blues.
With points at a premium, the teams will square off for the first of two consecutive games in St. Louis on Tuesday night. The clubs will cap the series on Thursday night.
Following an ugly 8-3 loss at home to Tampa Bay on Dec. 12, the Flames regained traction while earning points in nine of their next 12 games (7-3-2).
“You look at the standings, and every team in the playoff (chase) is legit,” Flames forward Ryan Lomberg said. “Now that we’re in that conversation, you can get the confidence from it and say we’re one of these teams now. We’re capable of being here, which is why we’re here, and we’re going to continue to prove people wrong.”
One key has been the offensive revival of forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who has 11 goals and nine assists in his last 18 games for the Flames, who lead their closest wild-card competitor, Vancouver, by one point.
“We’re in a spot right now that we can’t afford to lose some games, so I’m just trying to play my best and be the best version of myself to help this team get some wins,” Huberdeau said. “You get some good bounces when you play with more confidence. and I think that’s what I’m getting right now.”
Forward Rory Kerins earned two assists in his NHL debut as the Flames defeated Chicago 5-2 Monday night for their third straight victory. Kerins had 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists) in 34 games before being recalled from Calgary of the American Hockey League.
The Blues are in a stretch of playing 13 of 17 games at home. St. Louis has split its last two games, both at home, defeating the Anaheim Ducks 6-2 on Thursday before falling 2-1 to the Columbus Blue Jackets two days later.
“That urgency, us fearing losing, is something that’s got to become part of our fiber if we’re going to get to the consistent level we want to be at,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “I know it sounds maybe stupid, but if you’re afraid of losing — you watch a boxer go into the ring and if he’s loose, he’s going to get knocked out. You’ve got to really fear and respect this league or it’ll humble you. We get humbled a lot.”
The Blues realize their home stretch in the schedule provides their best opportunity to make up ground in the playoff chase.
“We’re getting into a tough time of the season where if we don’t make a push, it’s not looking too good for us,” Blues center Robert Thomas said. “That’s about as urgent as you need to think.”
The Blues posted a 4-3 overtime victory on Dec. 5 in Calgary. Thomas led St. Louis with a goal and two assists, and goaltender Jordan Binnington made 36 saves to earn the victory.
MacKenzie Weegar had a goal and assist for the Flames in that game, and Dan Vladar stopped 20 of 24 shots while taking the loss. Since Dustin Wolf earned the victory for the Flames in Chicago, Vladar likely will get the nod in net on Tuesday.
–Field Level Media
