Canucks Next Game: High-flying Flames among the NHL’s elite

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CALGARY FLAMES

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37-16-7, 1st in Pacific Division

at VANCOUVER CANUCKS

30-25-7, 5th in Pacific Division

Saturday, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena.

TV: CBC, Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650 AM.

WHY WATCH

The Canucks have 20 games left in the season and likely need to win at least 14 of those games to have a chance at the playoffs. Until Thursday’s stinker against Detroit, they’d been scoring goals in bunches and will want to get their offense back on course. The Flames are playing their second game in two nights and are looking to solidify their hold on the Pacific Division. They’re one of the most balanced teams in the league.

LEADER POINTS

FLAMES

1. Johnny Gaudreau GP 60 W 27 A 52 PTS 79 (+44)

2. Matthew Tkachuk GP 60 W 28 A 43 PTS 71 (+37)

3. Elias Lindholm GP 60 W 30 A 33 PTS 63 (+45)

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CANUCKS

1. JT Miller GP 60 W 24 A 49 PTS 73 (+9)

2. Quinn Hughes GP 58 W 5 A 44 PTS 49 (+11)

3. Elias Pettersson GP 60 G 18 A 24 PTS 42 (0)

SPECIAL TEAMS

FLAMES: PP 23.4% (11th) PK 85.4% (4th)

CANUCKS: PP 21.0% (14th) PK 71.3% (32nd)

THREE THINGS ABOUT THESE TEAMS

• The last time: The Flames last played in Vancouver on Feb. 24 when the Canucks hammered them 7-1. That was Calgary’s most lopsided loss of the season. It also ended Calgary’s 10-game winning streak. The Canucks scored three power play goals in a wild second period — the only time the Flames have granted three power play goals in a game all year — and leaned on goalie Thatcher Demko to keep the Flames scoreless until very late.

• A little tired: The Flames chose to start Jacob Markstrom Friday against Buffalo, meaning it’s unlikely he’ll start against his old team. Unless he has a very light night against the Sabers, it’s likely that backup Dan Vladar will be in goal for the Flames in Vancouver. Thatcher Demko seems almost certain to start against the Flames. He’s started seven straight games going into Saturday and made 34 saves on Thursday against Detroit. He’s been held out of practices for a week now as the Canucks look to keep him rested.

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• High scoring: In Johnny Gaudreau (79) and Matthew Tkachuk (71), the Flames are one of three teams with two players over 70 points. Edmonton and Colorado are the others. This team knows how to put the puck in the net. JT Miller’s 13-game scoring streak ended in the Thursday loss to Detroit, he’d tallied 27 points in that stretch.

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