Flames Seek Playoff Momentum, While Wild Search for Solutions

The Calgary Flames are riding a wave of confidence heading into their matchup against the struggling Minnesota Wild on Saturday night in Saint Paul, Minn. With playoff aspirations on the line, the game offers two teams at crossroads—one surging with momentum, the other grappling with inconsistency.

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Flames Focused on Playoff Push

The Flames have found their rhythm, securing back-to-back wins against the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres with a combined score of 8-3. These victories have bolstered their playoff hopes, as Calgary sits in eighth place in the Western Conference with 53 points, occupying the second wild-card slot.

Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf emphasized the team’s belief in their postseason potential.
“We are right in the mix,” Wolf said. “I know myself, along with everybody in this room, has full belief that we’re going to get in. It doesn’t matter how we’re going to get in—whether it’s the three seed or the second wild card, we’re going to get in.”

The team’s confidence is evident as they aim for their third consecutive win. Head coach Ryan Huska has praised the Flames’ recent defensive discipline and offensive execution, key factors in their resurgence.

Wild in Search of Answers

While Calgary looks ahead with optimism, Minnesota is scrambling to halt their slide. The Wild have gone 1-4-0 since Jan. 12, including a deflating 4-0 loss at home to the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday. Head coach John Hynes expressed frustration with his team’s lack of consistency, particularly in the defensive zone.

“We can’t be any softer at the net than we were (in our last game),” Hynes said. “I’m not even talking about goaltending. I’m talking about what happened in front of him.”

The Wild’s goaltending options remain strong, but the skaters in front need to step up. Filip Gustavsson, who is 18-10-3 with a 2.63 goals-against average (GAA) and a .913 save percentage this season, has an outstanding career record against Calgary (5-0-2, 1.43 GAA, .953 save percentage). Veteran Marc-Andre Fleury is another solid option, boasting a 14-7-1 record with a 2.12 GAA and .931 save percentage in 23 career games against the Flames.

Key Matchups: Flames vs. Wild Goaltending

Goaltending will likely be the deciding factor in Saturday’s game, with both teams relying heavily on their netminders. Calgary could turn to either Dustin Wolf or Daniel Vladar:

• Dustin Wolf: 17-7-2, 2.49 GAA, .918 save percentage this season. Limited experience against the Wild, stopping 11 of 13 shots (.846 save percentage) in a 5-2 loss on Dec. 5, 2023.
• Daniel Vladar: 6-9-5, 3.03 GAA, .889 save percentage. In four career games against Minnesota, Vladar holds a 2-1-1 record with a 3.13 GAA.

For Minnesota, Gustavsson is likely the frontrunner to start, given his stellar career stats against Calgary. However, if Hynes opts for experience, Fleury is a dependable alternative.

Series History and Playoff Implications

This matchup marks the second of three regular-season meetings between the teams. Calgary claimed the first game on Nov. 23 in a 4-3 shootout victory, with the final game set for April 11 in Calgary.

Both teams view Saturday’s game as pivotal for their playoff hopes. For the Flames, another win could create separation in the standings, while the Wild need to avoid falling further behind in the Western Conference race.

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What the Flames Need to Do

1. Sustain Offensive Pressure: Players like Elias Lindholm and Jonathan Huberdeau must continue to drive scoring opportunities.
2. Defensive Discipline: Limiting turnovers and neutralizing Minnesota’s power-play unit will be crucial.
3. Strong Goaltending: Whether Wolf or Vladar starts, Calgary needs stability in net to handle Minnesota’s top scorers.

What the Wild Must Fix

1. Stronger Net-Front Play: Defenders must protect Gustavsson or Fleury by clearing rebounds and blocking shots.
2. Consistent Effort: As Coach Hynes mentioned, the team needs to sustain energy and focus for a full 60 minutes.
3. Offensive Spark: Key players like Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello must deliver in critical moments.

Final Thoughts

The Flames arrive in Minnesota with momentum, confidence, and a clear vision of their playoff path. Conversely, the Wild must address glaring issues in their defensive play and find a way to snap their slump. As both teams eye a postseason berth, this game serves as a potential turning point in their respective campaigns.

Will Calgary extend their winning streak and solidify their wild-card spot? Or can Minnesota regroup in time to salvage their season? All eyes are on Saint Paul as the action unfolds.