Canucks 4 - 3 Flames
Final
  for this game

Flames aim to avoid consecutive setbacks in meeting with Canucks

Mar 12, 2011 - 3:56 PM (Sports Network) - The Calgary Flames will try to avoid losing consecutive games in regulation for the first time in over two months tonight, when they host the mighty Vancouver Canucks at the Saddledome.

The Flames had a three-game winning streak halted Thursday in Phoenix after getting dealt a 3-0 loss by Ilya Bryzgalov and the Coyotes. It was the first time Calgary had been shut out since a 6-0 loss to Minnesota on Jan. 19.

Calgary was last dealt regulation losses in consecutive games on Jan. 3 and 5, when it dropped tilts to the New York Islanders and the Canucks, respectively.

The Flames have not fared well against the NHL-leading Canucks this season, losing three of the four meetings so far between the Northwest Division rivals. Vancouver has won six of eight overall in this series and has taken six of the last 11 matchups in Calgary.

The Canucks are riding a four-game winning streak into tonight's contest and, with 97 points, they are seven points in front of Philadelphia for the best record in the NHL. Vancouver is also leading Detroit by nine points for the West lead.

The Flames are second in the Northwest Division, but are 17 points behind Vancouver. However, Calgary is tied with Phoenix, Chicago and Los Angeles for the final four playoff spots in the West with 81 points. The ninth-place Ducks are two points back of the race.

Calgary failed to help its playoff chances on Thursday, as Bryzgalov turned aside 38 shots to help the Coyotes claim the shutout victory.

Henrik Karlsson made 29-of-31 saves for the Flames, who are expected to go back to Miikka Kiprusoff between the pipes tonight. Kiprusoff had started 21 straight games before getting a breather on Thursday.

Calgary's No. 1 netminder has played in 46 career games against the Canucks and is 20-20-6 with a 3.23 goals-against average in those tests. Kiprusoff is 1-3-0 with a 3.96 GAA against Vancouver this season.

Tonight's test marks the first of three straight on home ice for the Flames, who have won three in a row at the Saddledome and are 21-10-4 as the host this season.

The Canucks claimed their fourth straight win Thursday in San Jose and the 5-4 shootout decision was also Vancouver's second victory in a row after regulation. Alain Vigneault's club also recorded a 4-3 overtime victory in Phoenix on Tuesday.

Alex Burrows scored the only goal in Thursday's shootout, using a quick deke to the backhand before roofing a shot into the net.

Burrows also scored in regulation and Sami Salo, Mason Raymond and Daniel Sedin all added goals. Cory Schneider gave franchise goaltender Roberto Luongo the night off and made 44 saves for the victory. Schneider, who will return to his backup role tonight, made a whopping nine in the five minutes of overtime.

Three of the eight goals scored in regulation came in the final 2:14 of the third period, with San Jose rallying to tie the game twice. But Vancouver got the win, improving to 4-0 on a five-game road trip that ends tonight in Calgary.

The Canucks are 21-9-4 on the road this season and will begin a three-game homestand when they host Minnesota on Monday.

Luongo is 19-10-2 with a one tie in his 32 career starts against the Flames. He is 3-0-1 with a 1.96 GAA in four games against them this season.






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