CALGARY-The Calgary Flames are in good shape to take revenge on the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday night in NHL action at the Saddledome.
The Ducks not only knocked the Flames out of the playoffs last year, but also beat them in California last November.
“We have lots of respect for the Ducks. It’s a big physical team, they skate well… they have a really good goal line,” Flames coach Bob Hartley said outside the dome Tuesday morning.
But Anaheim is in the midst of their worst season in a decade, sitting at the bottom of the division.
The Flames, meanwhile, are on an at-home winning streak, breaking a franchise record last Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers with their 11th consecutive victory.
“Our discipline has been great; our special teams has started to click. So it’s all a matter of our mindset and making sure we’re ready to play,” Hartley said.
The Flames haven’t just been winning at home; they have only lost twice so far this December.
Johnny Gaudreau has been on fire the last two games and was named NHL player of the week.
Captain Mark Giordano’s resurgence is also pleasing Flames fans. After a tough start to the year following a major surgery, Calgary’s top defenceman has 10 points in the last 11 games, including two goals against Edmonton Sunday.
“It always takes time,” Hartley said. “Gio is a great worker. He’s our captain. He’s our great leader. There was no doubt in my mind that we would see the captain back the way we were expecting him, and he’s playing great hockey for us.”
The Flames will play six of their next seven games at the dome, giving them plenty of opportunity to build on their franchise record.
If they win Tuesday night they will jump from fifth place in the Pacific division to second, and will be in playoff position.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. MT.
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