The 26-13-6 Calgary Flames are set to play the red hot 23-22-1 Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at 7pm MST. After a 6-0 beat down by the Flames on January 26, the Jackets have taken five of their last six, outscoring the opposition 26-22 in that time.
The Flames, meanwhile, are on an absolute heater. Six straight wins. A 25-9 goal differential over that time, good for a 1.5GAA.
Interestingly enough, the two teams have each only lost once since their matchup in late January.
Red Laine
The hulking power sniper enters tonight at the top of his game. The 2016 2nd overall pick was involved in both goals in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, first forcing a turnover to set up Bjorkstrand, then scoring a one-timer with eight seconds remaining in the third.
Flames fans will remember a similar effort by Laine on January 14th, 2021. The 6’5” 216lbs Finn set up a powerplay goal then took over the play in overtime on route to sniping the puck past Jacob Markstrom
With two points last game, the 23 year old got himself to a point per game with 27 points in as many dates. Good news for a player needing to be qualified at 7.5 million this offseason.
Speaking of snipers
Newly acquired trigger man Tyler Toffoli will dress for his first game in a Flames uniform. While he may be unfamiliar with the jersey, he is no stranger to most of the team. Here are a few connections:
•Linemate and road roommate with Monahan on the Ottawa 67’s
•Teammate of Richardson, Lewis, and Lucic on the LA Kings
•Teammate of Markstrom, Tanev, and Gudbranson on the Canucks. Toffoli and Gudbranson also played a U17 World Championship together
•Assistant Coached by Kirk Muller on the Canadiens
•Coached by Darryl Sutter on the LA Kings
The 29 year old right wing was acquired for a 2022 1st round pick, a 2024 5th round pick, grinding winger Tyler Pitlick and prospect Emil Heineman. He carries a cap hit of 4.25 million fir two more seasons after this one.
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Dube-Monahan-Toffoli
Lucic-Ruzicka-Lewis
Hanifin-Andersson
Kylington-Tanev
Zadorov-Gudbranson
Vladar
Enjoy the game,
Trevor Neufeld
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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