9:07 pm
April 21

Stars @ Flames

Who will WIN this matchup?

Dallas Stars (43-29-5)

@ Calgary Flames (47-20-10)

 

Starting Goalies:

Jake Oettinger (DAL): Unconfirmed

Jacob Markstrom (CGY): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Dallas Stars: (+184)

Calgary Flames: (-227)

 

• The Dallas Stars have their playoff fortunes in their hands, but that grip is starting to loosen with the regular season in its final push. The Stars (43-29-5, 91 points) have dropped two straight, which has made their hold on a Western Conference playoff spot more tenuous as they finish a trip against the Pacific Division-leading Calgary Flames (47-20-10, 104 points) on Thursday night.

• After a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, Dallas is two points behind the Nashville Predators for the first Western Conference wild-card spot and trying to hold off the Vegas Golden Knights, who are two points behind them. The Stars have five games remaining while Vegas has four.

• Dallas is in a 3-3-2 stretch that has allowed Vegas as well as the Vancouver Canucks (who have 87 points and five games remaining) to close ground.

• The Stars suddenly are struggling defensively. They dropped a 6-2 clash to Vancouver on Monday, and up next is a Flames team that is more potent than both the Oilers and Canucks.

• The Flames return home after a 3-2 shootout loss to the Predators on Tuesday but are on a 7-1-1 run and can clinch the Pacific Division title with a victory.

• Even though they lost in Nashville, a game in which they erased a 2-0 deficit, the Flames believe their game is on the right track.

• The game will be a chance for the Flames to reach a mark not seen in many years. Johnny Gaudreau already is at 108 points, and Matthew Tkachuk is at 99. If Tkachuk can hit the scoresheet, it will mark the first time since 1990-91 the Flames have two 100-point players.

• Coming back to force overtime in Nashville was a prime example of the determination Sutter is looking for. Mangiapane was around the net for both of his tallies.

7/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Calgary Flames
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