The Calgary Flames (36-27-12, fourth in the Pacific Division, five points away from the second wild-card spot) will host the Vegas Golden Knights (45-22-8, first in the Pacific Division, 79.9% to win Division).

This will be the third of four meetings between the two teams. Vegas dominated both previous matchups

This will be a big test for the Flames who are coming off a comfortable and a morale-lifting 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. While that was a matchup the Flames were expected to win, the Knights are a completely different beast. The Knights have already locked in their playoff spot, and are looking to clinch the Pacific division title. They have tremendous offensive power with the likes of Mark Stone, Conn Smythe Trophy candidate Jack Eichel and two-way defenseman Shea Theodore. This Vegas team comes into Thursday with the best power play percentage overall AND in the last 30 days. Talk about pressure…

But let’s think positive: A win for the home side will be a MASSIVE game-changer.

And it can happen. This season, the Flames have registered wins against teams like Winnipeg and Washington, the two teams who are on their way to owning the best records in their respective conferences. 

There is plenty to be optimistic about in this game.

HEAD 2 HEAD

Based on both prior games this season, the Calgary Flames have the eighth-worst save percentage against the Vegas Golden Knights at even-strength situations. While the Flames did go 5-of-6 (83.33%) on the PK, Dan Vladar (who was the goalie in both those games) will be rested according to pre-game reports to make way for Dustin Wolf to be in goal. We’ve only had good things to say about him.

But no matter who is the goalie, the Knights offense love dishing shots on them as  Vegas unloaded Vladar with 37.5 shots per game, the third-most shots on goal to any team all season.

On the other side, the Flames having been shutout in both games against the Knights. In fact, they are the ONLY team in the league to have yet to score against Vegas.

It doesn’t take much to figure out that if there is a “prove it” game for the Flames offense to break out in, this is that game. Especially, for their power play unit…. and especially for a team that wants to prove that they belong in the playoff picture.

But it might be an uphill battle considering that Calgary has dispensed only 23.5 shots on goal per game to the Knights, the second-worst to any team this season.

TALE OF THE TAPE (SKATERS)

TALE OF THE TAPE (GOALIES)

PLAYOFF ODDS

With the Flames the lone team in this game looking to clinch a playoff spot, the following chart shows how those odds will pan out depending on the result:

Calling this a tough game is definitely an ...