5 THINGS - FLAMES @ GOLDEN KNIGHTS

FLAMES (27-20-11) @ GOLDEN KNIGHTS (34-18-5)

7:00 p.m. MT | TV: Sportsnet West, One | RADIO: Sportsnet 960 The FAN

2022-23 Season Series: 1-0-0

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GAME DAY VIDEO
Game Day with Natasha Staniszewski
Pregame Interviews
GAME DAY FEATURES
'They Bring Energy' - Pelletier, Duehr stepping up
Projected Lineup
STAT PACK
Media Game Notes
Scoring Leaders
2022-23 Head-to-Head Stats
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Leading Scorers:
Flames:
Points - Elias Lindholm & Tyler Toffoli (51)
Goals - Tyler Toffoli (24)
Golden Knights:
Points - Chandler Stephenson (48)
Goals - Reilly Smith (19)
Special Teams:
Flames:
PP - 20.1% (22nd) / PK - 81.3% (11th)
Golden Knights:
PP - 21% (19th) / PK - 79% (17th)
Advanced Stats:
Flames:
Shot Attempts: 57.82% (1st)
High-Danger Chances: 52.04% (12th)
Golden Knights:
Shot Attempts: 51.37% (10th)
High-Danger Chances: 54.76% (7th)
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### 1. LAST TIME OUT
Starting off hot!
The Flames head into tonight's matchup in Vegas after a 6-3 win over the Coyotes last night in Tempe.
Milan Lucic, Elias Lindholm, Tyler Toffoli, Jakob Pelletier, Walker Duehr and Mikael Backlund all scored for the boys in the Flaming C, while Dan Vladar had a quiet night, only needing 11 stops for the win.
After falling behind 3-1 in the second, the Flames were finally rewarded for their play, scoring five unanswered goals en-route to the crucial victory. Three of the markers came in the final 20 minutes with Pelletier scoring the game-winner at the 4:52 mark, deflecting a Noah Hanifin point shot while on the man-advantage.
In the end, the Flames outshot Arizona 52-14 in a game they dominated from start to finish.
"I thought we came out pretty strong," Duehr said after the game. "We battled all game and in the third period we just took control there. We knew we really needed these two points. ... It was the biggest period of the year in that third period. Just had to focus on our game plan and execute it."
It was also a milestone-filled night, as Chris Tanev skated in his 700th career game while Lindholm reached the 500-point mark in his career thanks to a two-point outing.
Now, the stage is set for a crucial divisional matchup - into the fortress for a date with the Golden Knights.

2. KNOW YOUR ENEMY
The Pacific division-leading Golden Knights have been rolling with five wins in their last six games and have picked up 11 points in the process.
Vegas' lone blemish this month came on Tuesday with a 3-2 shootout decision to the Blackhawks, with a frenzied finish as Chicago forced extra time after Tyler Johnson scored with 55 seconds left while on the man-advantage.
Patrick Kane seemed to have scored the game winner with time winding down in overtime, but it was determined the puck went in after the horn had sounded. It didn't matter, though, as Johnson would score again later, this one being the shootout winner.
"We did that the other night," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy told NHL.com about the late penalty. "That's on us a little bit, right? You've got to manage it a little better with time and score. Situational hockey.
"Maybe it's just more of a lower rim (around the boards). Veteran guys, you've just got to manage it better in those situations."
Laurent Brossoit got the start, appearing in his first NHL game since March. 15, 2022, and was brilliant with 37 saves.
"I try not to have too many expectations," Brossoit told NHL.com. "I just wanted to keep it simple, play my game. For the most part, I felt pretty good. A few jitters in the first period, but I think overall it was a net positive for how I felt. There are plenty of things I can sharpen up."
The Golden Knights have a two-point cushion over the Kings in the ever-so-packed Pacific Division, with their next three games against Western Conference opponents.
### 3. FAST FACTS
ROOKIE SCORING: Flames rookies Jakob Pelletier and Walker Duehr both had huge offensive impacts on last night's win over Arizona. The two had a goal and an assist to combine for four points, both recording their first career multi-point games. Pelletier's goal held up as the game-winner, the first of his NHL career.
QUICK STRIKES: The Flames scored twice in under 30 seconds courtesy of Pelletier and Duehr to take a two-goal lead against the Coyotes last night in the third. That marked the seventh time the Flames have scored two goals in under 30 seconds this season, with the last occurrence last Saturday night against the New York Rangers when Andrew Mangiapane and Nazem Kadri struck eight seconds apart.
### 4. PLAYERS TO WATCH
Flames - Tyler Toffoli
'Teapot' continues to lead the Flames attack and heads into tonight's tilt with goals in back-to-back games and three points overall in the contests.
With two points against the 'Yotes, Toffoli reached the 50-point mark for the second time in his career and is well on his way to eclipse his career best of 58 set back in the 2015-16 season when he was a member of the Kings.

Golden Knights - Shea Theodore
For years, the rearguard has been key for Vegas at both ends and this season is more of the same, with seven points (2G, 5A) in the last four games.
Theodore has only suited up for 37 of Vegas' 57 games, which makes his 30 points on the year that much more impressive.
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### 5. QUOTABLE
Jakob Pelletier on the expectations set for himself:
"If you want to win, you have to score goals. So for me to play with guys like Huby and Naz … I think our line we're going to have to produce more. For me also, that was my 12th game tonight (Wednesday). So yeah, it's good to be comfortable, but it's also time for me to step up and score goals."