VANCOUVER CANUCKS NOTES:
CANUCKS AT FLAMES PREVIEW
TV: Sportsnet, Sportsnet ONE, TNT
Radio: Sportsnet 650
MATCH-UP INFO
• Tonight marks the first of four meetings between the Canucks and Flames this season: Dec. 14 (away), Dec. 31 (away), Mar. 31 (home), Apr. 8 (home).
• The Canucks are 114-139-33-9 all-time against the Flames, including a 48-81-15-2 record on the road.
• Vancouver is 3-4-3 in their last 10 games against Calgary (1-3-1 in their last 5).
• Among active Canucks skaters, Brock Boeser (12-12-24 in 26 GP) and J.T. Miller (6-18-24 in 26 GP) each lead the team with 24 career points against Calgary.
• Oliver Ekman-Larsson leads active Canucks skaters in career games played against the Flames with 42 (7-15-22 in those 42 games).
• Elias Pettersson has 17 points (7-10-17) in 18 career games against Calgary.
• Quinn Hughes has 14 points (2-12-14) in 17 career games against Calgary.
• Spencer Martin has yet to face the Flames in his career.
• Collin Delia is 0-1-0 with a 3.04 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage in one career appearance vs the Flames.
QUICK NUMBERS
• Bo Horvat has seven goals and 12 points (7-5-12) in his last 12 games and is fourth in the NHL in goals (20) this season.
• Quinn Hughes has 25 points (0-25-25) this season and ranks tied for second in the NHL in assists among defencemen (25 in 23 GP). He also is tied for fifth in the NHL in power play assists with 13.
• Andrei Kuzmenko has 14 points (6-8-14) in his last 11 games.
• Ilya Mikheyev has 8 points (5-3-8) in his last 11 games.
• J.T. Miller has 13 points (4-9-13) in his last 14 games.
• Elias Pettersson has 16 points (7-9-16) in his last 12 games and leads the team with the most multi-point games this season at 11 (11-16-27 in those 11 games).
• Luke Schenn holds the NHL all-time record of most hits (2,959) by a defenceman.
LAST MEETING – APR. 23/22: VAN 3 at CGY 6
Quinn Hughes scored at 18:46 in the second period to cut the deficit to one goal…Vasily Podkolzin and J.T. Miller assisted on the play…Conor Garland tied the game with his 18th goal at 5:36 in the third period, assisted by Tyler Myers and J.T. Miller…Elias Pettersson tallied his 32nd goal at 17:35 in the third period…Quinn Hughes tied Doug Lidster for most poins in a season by a Canucks d-man (63) with an assist, while J.T. Miller registered his third point of the game (0-3-3)…Conor Garland and J.T. Miller co-led the team in shots (5)…Oliver Ekman-Larsson led Vancouver in blocks (3)…Thatcher Demko faced 30 shots.
2022.23 TEAM RANKS
VAN CGY
Goals For/Game 3.46 (9th) 2.97 (22nd)
Goals Against/Game 3.86 (30th) 3.00 (t-13th)
Power Play % 27.3 (7th) 20.2 (25th)
Penalty Kill % 68.2 (30th) 81.4 (t-7th)
Penalty Min./Game 11:19 (26th) 10:04 (19th)
*Rankings are accurate as of 5:00pm PT on December 13
LAST GAME PLAYED – DEC. 10/22: VAN 0 vs MIN 3
Quinn Hughes led all Canucks skaters in time on ice (25:02)…J.T. Miller recorded a team-high in shots on goal (5)…Luke Schenn led all skaters in hits (6) and blocked shots (7)…Spencer Martin made 30 saves.
LAST 5 vs CALGARY
• Apr. 23/22: VAN 3 @ CGY 6
• Mar. 19/22: VAN 2 vs CGY 5
• Feb. 24/22: VAN 7 vs CGY 1
• Jan. 29/22: VAN 0 @ CGY 1 (OT)
• May 19/21: VAN 2 @ CGY 6
POWER PLAY PROWESS
Netting 24 power play goals on 76 opportunities in their last 22 games played, including two tallies on the man-advantage on Dec. 7 at SJS, the Canucks’ power play ranks first in the NHL since Oct. 24, producing at a rate of 31.6%.
PERISTENT PETEY
Scoring one goal and tallying two assists on Dec. 5 vs MTL, Elias Pettersson registered 32 points in (12-20-32) 26 games played, becoming the first Canuck to reach this mark in 26 or fewer games played since Daniel and Henrik Sedin in 2010.11 (30 points in 24 GP). It also marked Pettersson’s 20th career 3+ point game, tying him with Stan Smyl (1978-1983) for fifth-most 3+ point games in a player’s first five NHL seasons in franchise history.
• Dec. 7 at San Jose was Pettersson’s team-leading 11th multi-point game (1-1-2) this season and 66th of his career.
• Scoring at 3-on-3 in overtime on Dec. 7 at SJS, Pettersson tallied his 13th goal of the season, all of which have come at even strength. He ranks tied for fifth among NHL skaters for most even strength goals this season (13).
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Scoring his team-leading 20th goal on Dec. 5 vs MTL, Bo Horvat is the fourth skater in Canucks history to score as many goals in the team’s first 26 games of the season. Horvat is only the third player this season to reach the 20-goal mark (Robertson, 23; McDavid, 22).
• With 34 goals in 45 games since March 9, 2022, Horvat has the second-highest goals per game (0.74) in the League during that stretch.
• Earlier this season, Horvat became the first player in franchise history to have five multi-goal games in the first 13 games.
BELIEVING IN BRUCE
With the team’s 7-6 OT victory on Dec. 5 vs MTL, the Canucks overcame a 4-0 deficit for only the third time in franchise history to secure a 4-goal comeback win (Jan. 16/73 vs TOR 6-4 W & Oct. 15/71 vs CAL 9-6 W). Coincidentally, Bruce Boudreau also earned his third career win in a game where his team trailed by four-plus goals (Dec. 23/08 w/ WSH & Mar. 31/14 w/ ANA).
• With the team’s 6-5 OT victory on Dec. 7 at SJS, Bruce Boudreau (44 wins) tied Hal Laycoe for 12th place on the Canucks alltime coaches wins list.
PUTTING THE ‘SUDDEN’ IN SUDDEN DEATH
Elias Pettersson’s game-winning overtime goal on Dec. 5 vs MTL came just 13 seconds into OT, making it the fastest goal to start a regular season overtime period in Canucks history. The previous record was held by Dixon Ward who scored 15 seconds into OT on Nov. 29/93.
PRODUCTION LINE
With five combined points, including two multi-point efforts on Dec. 7 at SJS, Andrei Kuzmenko, Elias Pettersson, and Ilya Mikheyev have collectively tallied 35 points in the team’s last 12 games (18-20-38). Between the trio, they have had 24 multi-point efforts this season including three games (Oct. 27 @ SEA, Nov. 27 @ SJS, Dec. 5 vs MTL) where all three skaters put up at least two points.
SCHENN’S GREATEST HITS
Recording six hits on Dec. 3 vs ARI, Luke Schenn claimed the NHL all-time record for most hits by a defenceman (2,948), surpassing Brooks Orpik (2,946), and is now ranked sixth all-time among all skaters. Schenn has collected the second-most hits in the NHL this season (119 in 28 GP). On Nov. 12 at TOR, Schenn matched a franchise record with 12 hits in a game and became the first player in NHL history to record at least three games with 12+ hits in his career.
*The NHL began tracking hits in 2005.06.
HUGHES’ HELPING HANDS
• With two assists on Dec. 3 vs ARI, Quinn Hughes surpassed Doug Lidster for fourth most multi-assist games among defencemen in Canucks history at 35 games.
• Collecting his 20th assist of the season in 17 games on Nov. 26 at VGK, Hughes trailed only Henrik Sedin (21 assists in 2010.11) for most assists by a Canucks player through their first 17 games of a season.
o Previously, on Nov. 21 vs VGK, Hughes passed Sami Salo for sole possession of 9th place on the Canucks all-time assists list among defencemen (164) in 346 fewer games played. Hughes is now one assist away from passing Rick Lanz (171) for sole possession of 8th.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
• Christian Wolanin assigned to Abbotsford, Dec. 6
• Christian Wolanin recalled from Abbotsford, Dec. 5
• Thatcher Demko placed on injured reserve, Dec. 5
• Jack Studnicka activated from injured reserve, Dec. 3
• Collin Delia recalled from Abbotsford under emergency conditions, Dec. 2
• Phillip Di Giuseppe assigned to Abbotsford, Nov. 30
• Phillip Di Giuseppe recalled from Abbotsford, Nov. 29
• Vasily Podkolzin assigned to Abbotsford, Nov. 28
• Jack Rathbone assigned to Abbotsford, Nov. 28
CALGARY FLAMES NOTES:
FLAMES LAST GAME RECAP
DECEMBER 12, 2022 – Montreal Canadiens [2] vs. CALGARY FLAMES 1
The Calgary Flames finished off their three-game road trip with their final stop coming at the Bell Centre to take on the Montreal Canadiens. The goaltenders were the stars of the show early with Jacob Markstrom stopping all 13 first period shots he faced, while Jake Allen was also perfect on 11 pucks fired his way and the contest remained scoreless through 20. Jonathan Huberdeau would score the games opening goal in his hometown on the power play to give the Flames a 1- 0 lead, Tyler Toffoli picked up an assist on the goal for his first point in the Bell Centre since February 10th while he was a member of the Canadiens. There would be no additional scoring until the final frame where Josh Anderson tied the game just 1:40 into the period but neither side could find a winner and for the second-straight game, the Flames were headed to overtime. In extra-time, Tyler Toffoli clipped Josh Anderson with a high-stick and was assessed a double-minor on the play to give the Canadiens a four-on-three power play. Jacob Markstrom had the answer for all seven shots Montreal mustered with the man-advantage to kill the penalty and force a shootout in which the Flames would fall 2-1.
CGY GOAL SCORERS: Huberdeau (5)
GOALIE: Markstrom (37-38, .974 Sv%)
PP: 1/6 (16.6%)
PK: 7/7 (100%)
FLAMES LAST FIVE RESULTS, RECORD: 2-1-2
DATE RESULT GWG CGY GOALIE OPP. GOALIE
December 12, 2022 CGY [1] at MTL 2 Dach* Markstrom Allen
December 10, 2022 CGY [4] at TOR 5 Marner Vladar Murray
December 9, 2022 CGY [1] at CBJ [3] Robinson Markstrom Korpisalo/ Merzlikins
December 7, 2022 MIN [3] vs. CGY [5] Andersson Vladar Fleury
December 5, 2022 ARI [2] vs. CGY [3] Kadri Vladar Vejmelka
*shootout winning goal
FLAMES UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
DATE TIME
(MST) OPPONENT VENUE
December 14, 2022 8:00pm vs. Vancouver Canucks Scotiabank Saddledome
December 16, 2022 7:00pm vs. St. Louis Blues Scotiabank Saddledome
December 18, 2022 8:00pm at San Jose Sharks SAP Center
December 20, 2022 8:30pm at San Jose Sharks SAP Center
December 22, 2022 8:30pm at Los Angeles Kings Cryto.com Arena
TONIGHTS STORYLINES & STATS
This is the first of four matchups this season between the Flames and Canucks. The Flames won three of the four meetings these two clubs were involved in last season. This is a Pacific Division Matchup; The Flames have an overall record of 3-2-0 against Pacific Division opponents this season and a record of 7-3-0 against Western Conference opponents.
LAST SEASON AGAINST VANCOUVER:
The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks met four times last season, with the Flames going 3-1-0 against their Pacific Division rival. The two clubs first meeting came in January of this year with the Flames just edging the Canucks 1-0 in overtime, with their next two meetings coming in Vancouver. The Flames fell in their first trip to Vancouver in February, but in the rematch in March the Flames prevailed 5-2 thanks to a two-point night from Rasmus Andersson and a 23-save effort from Dan Vladar. In their final clash, Dillon Dube scored two goals and Elias Lindholm reached the 40-goal mark for the first time in his career, and the Flames won 6-3.
ICE-TIME ANDERSSON:
Rasmus Andersson was a workhorse for the Flames in Montreal on Monday night, skating in a team-high 31:30 minutes of ice-time. After Chris Tanev left the game and did not return, Andersson was leaned on heavily and the blueliner arose to the challenge, logging 7:29 of ice-time while shorthanded and blocking six shots. Andersson also recorded two shots on goal of his own and skated in 35 shifts, second most on the team behind Nikita Zadorov who had one more. Andersson leads the Flames in average time on ice with 24:44 minutes a game and has the third most blocked shots on the team (52).
VANCOUVER TIES:
Jacob Markstrom spent seven seasons with the Canucks and started in 218 contests. His teammate since 2013, Chris Tanev spent 10 years in a Canucks sweater skating in 514 games, and the pair both signed with the Flames as free agents prior to the 2021 season. Tyler Toffoli was a trade deadline acquisition of the Canucks during the 2019-20 season and played 10 games for Vancouver before the NHL was forced to suspend operations due to COVID-19. Toffoli went on to play in seven playoff games for Vancouver during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs with two goals and two assists for four points. Milan Lucic was born in Vancouver and played his junior hockey at home for the Vancouver Giants, helping them
win a Memorial Cup in 2007 and was named the tournament MVP.
FIRSTS AGAINST THE CANUCKS:
Several Calgary Flames recorded NHL firsts against the Vancouver Canucks. Dillon Dube played his first NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks on October 3rd, 2018. Andrew Mangiapane scored his first NHL goal in Vancouver in February of 2019. Connor Mackey skated in his first NHL game against the Canucks on February 13th, 2021 and recorded his first NHL assist two nights later in Vancouver. He would score his first NHL goal later that same year against the Canucks right here in the Scotiabank Saddledome on May 19, 2021. Adam Ruzicka joined Mackey in making his NHL debut against the Canucks during the 2021 season and skated in his first NHL game on May 18th at Rogers Arena, recording his first NHL point (assist).
LOOK BACKS AT IT:
With his assist on Jonathan Huberdeau’s goal on Monday night in Montreal, Mikael Backlund now sits fourth in regular season and playoff road points in Flames franchise history (215). Backlund surpassed Sean Monahan who he was tied with at 214 road points in the regular season and playoffs and prior to Monahan, Backlund passed Joel Otto on December 9th in Columbus at the start of the Flames most recent road trip. The Vasteras, SWE native is currently riding a four-game assist streak that began back on December 7th against Minnesota.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Calgary Flames have played more games against the Vancouver Canucks than they have against any other franchise in the NHL (295). Second most is 262 games against the Edmonton Oilers and third most is 251 against the LA Kings. The Calgary Flames have also played more playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks than they have against any other franchise in the NHL (7). Second most is a tie between the Edmonton Oilers and LA Kings, who the Flames have met in the playoffs six times. Jonathan Huberdeau is tied for the best shootout percentage in the NHL among skaters with over three attempts (3/3 –100%). Canucks Captain Bo Horvat and Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov were teammates on the London Knights back in the 2013-14 season.
CALGARY FLAMES vs. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
ALL-TIME HOME AWAY L10 STRK
CGY vs. VAN 148-97-33-17 83-42-15-6 65-55-18-11 7-3-0 W2
GAME INFO:
Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks
7:00pm MT
Scotiabank Saddledome
TV: Sportsnet, Sportsnet One
Radio: Sportsnet Fan 960
2022-23 Season Series: 0-0-0 (Home: 0-0-0, Road 0-0-0)
Dec. 14, 2022 – VAN at CGY
Dec. 31, 2022 – VAN at CGY
Mar. 31, 2023 – CGY at VAN
Apr. 8, 2023 – CGY at VAN
2021-22 Season Record vs. VAN: 3-1-0 (Home: 2-0-0, Road: 1-1-0)
Last Home Win vs. VAN: April 23, 2022 – Vancouver [3] vs. Calgary [6]
Last Road Win @ VAN: March 19, 2022 – Calgary [5] at Vancouver [2]
Last Home Loss vs. VAN: February 17, 2021 – Vancouver [5] vs. Calgary [1]
Last Road Loss @ VAN: February 24, 2022 – Calgary [1] at Vancouver [7]
2022-23 CALGARY FLAMES
FLAMES RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
Nov. 15 – recalled Dennis Gilbert (D) from Calgary (AHL): reassigned (D) Nick DeSimone to Calgary (AHL)
Nov. 27 – reassigned Dennis Gilbert (D) to Calgary (AHL)
Dec. 8 – placed Kevin Rooney (F) on waivers; cleared waivers
Dec. 8 – recalled Matthew Phillips (F) from Calgary (AHL)
Dec. 9 – recalled Radim Zohorna (F) from Calgary (AHL)
FLAMES RECENT INJURIES (Total man games lost – 23)
Noah Hanifin – illness (1 game: Oct. 21)
Chris Tanev – upper-body (5 games: Nov. 3 – Nov. 10)
Jonathan Huberdeau – upper-body (3 games: Nov. 8 – Nov. 12)
Michael Stone – lower-body (11 games: Nov. 7 – Nov. 25)
MacKenzie Weegar – non-COVID illness (1 game: Dec. 12)
Elias Lindholm – upper-body injury (1 game: Dec. 12)
