Preview: Anaheim Ducks @ Calgary Flames (February 13th 2010, 7:00 PM (PT) @ Pengrowth Saddledome)

The Ducks enter to tonight's game with a 29-24-7 record in 60 games. They have won two straight and are 6-4 in their last 10, however this time, the puck doesn't drop on Honda Center. That's right, after setting a franchise record of 11 game consecutive win streak at home on Wednesday, the Ducks are back on the road with two games in hand, before the olympic break. Tomorrow against the Oilers, and today versus the Flames on Pengrowth Saddledome.

Speaking of Pengrowth Saddledome, have you ever wondered, how the Ducks have in their recent history, fared against the Flames on their home turf? Because we all know about the difficulties the Flames have had against the Ducks in Honda Center. In fact, last time Flames escaped with a win in Honda Center, was January 19, 2004. And they have won only that one match between the two teams on Honda Center, since January 13th on 1999. That's 1(!) win in a 21 game span. But here is the Ducks record on Flames home ice since the lockout:

2-6-0 (1.88 GF/G , 2.88 GA/G)

So in the last few years, Flames certainly haven't either made it easy for the Ducks to win against them outside of Honda Center. By the way, after Dion Phaneuf got traded away from Calgary, there isn't whole lot of Flames player's left from the current roster, who were in the Flames roster after the lockout. But the two notables are the captain Jarome Iginla, and the Vezina Trophy winner from 2005-2006 season, Miikka Kiprusoff. Here are both of their significant stats against the Ducks after the lockout, when the game has been on Flames home ice:

Jarome Iginla --> 7GP 2G 8A 10P +/- +2 24SOG

...and then the outstanding numbers posted by "Kipper"

Miikka Kiprusoff --> 6-1-0, .944SV%, 1.71GAA 2SO

So certainly Ducks better pray to god whenever they take shot on goal tonight, and save their breath, when Iginla makes a tape to tape pass on the offensive zone.

I thought of writing down a bit about Anaheim's road numbers this season, but then again i thought to myself, those stats are pretty depressive enough. No need to make myself even more negative entering tonight's game. But i did grap some good news for tonight's game:

Our defencemen have been quite productive as of late. Scott Niedermayer, James Wisniewski & Ryan Whitney have combined one goal and seven assists over the course of last four games. Also, Corey Perry is riding on a 5-game point streak, which has seen 2G, 4A & 6P. So, that's got to count for something, right?

Flames dropped the ball on their home ice in Thursday night, against the Dallas Stars, the match which they lost 3-1. Jarome Iginla was the only goalscorer for the Flames on that game. So, extremely important game for both these teams. We can probably expect some nervousness from both teams to start the game, but later on, i think the game is going for the heated physical play, with lots of chippiness and scrums after the whistles.

Some key stats for the game:

Calgary Flames
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GF/G: 2.46
GA/G: 2.44

PP%: 17.0
PK%: 83.1

S/G: 28.4
SA/G: 29.1

FO%: 47.7


Anaheim Ducks
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GF/G: 2.75
GA/G: 2.98

PP%: 19.3
PK%: 80.4

S/G: 29.1
SA/G: 33.2

FO%: 48.2


It's still not known whether or not Ryan Getzlf will be dressing for tonight's game. My guess (who cares) would be, that he will not be available tonight.

Also Rene Bourque will not playing for the Flames, as he's still nurturing his shoulder injury.

GO Ducks!