Burning issues - Flames at Ducks

Published: Monday, November 23, 2009

Can the Flames sweep their two-game road trip to California? We'll find out tonight (8 p.m., Sportsnet, FAN 960) but until then, check out what our panel of experts have to say about the clash and have your say below.

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Sean Myers, sports writer, Calgary Herald

Bank on seeing: Calgary dominate the struggling Anaheim Ducks and continue to build on their winning road record.

Flames difference-maker: Iginla's on fire and will continue to be.

Ducks difference-maker: Goaltending will have to be the difference in stopping Calgary's firepower. The Ducks haven't had much of it this season, but whether Jean-Sebastien Giguere or Jonas Hiller gets the nod, the netminder will have to be sharp.

The score: 5-2 Flames.

Kristen Odland, sports writer, Calgary Herald

Bank on seeing: Historically, the Flames just haven't been very good in Anaheim. However, Calgary had some major improvements in Los Angeles against the Kings which should continue, at least for the first 20 minutes, tonight. Expect to see Iginla to keep firing the way he has been while Jay Bouwmeester is sure to score sooner or later on the power play (he's well-positioned and, often, sneaks in on the penalty-killing squad). Meanwhile, with just seven wins to their name, the Ducks are falling farther and farther off the map. They'll be inspired to steal a point any way possible.

Flames difference-maker: Curtis Glencross. Had some good movement on the penalty kill last game, which resulted in the momentum-turning game winner from Daymond Langkow. Even before his suspension, he's been a spark plug most nights for Calgary. Expect Iginla to contribute meaningfully, too.

Ducks diference-maker: Corey Perry. The 24-year-old from Peterborough is on a tear, riding a 14-game points (nine goals and 20 points) streak which happens to be the longest in the league this season. Trend continues tonight.

The score: Calgary is too inconsistent lately and all isn't solved just yet. That 7-1 loss to Chicago is still fresh even though it was swept under the rug with the Flames' 5-2 win in Los Angeles. 3-2 Anaheim.

Keith Bradford, sports editor, Calgary Herald

Bank on seeing: More fire from the Flames and a very gritty game against a Ducks team that has been struggling and desperately needs the points ... Plenty of crease-crashing from Corey Perry. Coach Brent Sutter hasn't said who will start between the pipes but they're sure to get well acquainted with No. 10.

Flames difference-maker: LW Jarome Iginla. Has gone from looking like he'll never score again (even though we all knew he would) to seeming like he'll score on every shift.

Ducks difference-maker: C Ryan Getzlaf. Heck of a player on a helluva line. Will be interesting to see if Robyn Regehr and Dion Phaneuf get the bulk of the work against the former Hitmen star, Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry.

The score: 5-4 Flames, but in OT

Heath Brown, CTV Sports

Bank on seeing: A one-goal game. All four contests between these two clubs last season was decided by one-goal. Anaheim beat the Flames in three of those four games.

Flames difference-maker: Jay Bouwmeester. The Flames ice-time leading defenceman will play a major role in keeping Anaheim's high-flying forwards in check. Bouwmeester is averaging 26 minutes and 36 seconds of ice-time.

Ducks difference-maker: Corey Perry. This is an easy one. The consistent Perry is on a 14-game point streak. He has collected 9 goals and 11 assists in that span. Hard to believe the Ducks are playing so poorly when one of their young stars is playing so well. The Ducks problems ultimately have to do with their sub-par goaltending.

The score: 3-2 Ducks. The Flames rarely win in Anaheim regardless of how lousy the home team is.

 
 
 
 
 

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