Game Day | Flames @ Wild – 09.11.25

Game Day | Flames @ Wild – 09.11.25

Will Dustin Wolf, who has played in more games than any goalender in the NHL, get another start? And what lineup changes will we see for the Flames in tonight’s game against the Wild? Here to answer those questions and get you set for the game, I’m Derek Wills alongside Megan Mickelson. Well, Mick, we’re expecting the Flames to go with the same 12 forwards, although we are expecting some new line combinations and some old power play units in tonight’s game against the Wild. But as far as the defense is concerned, some good news. It looks like Kevin Ball is ready to come back. So the pairings we’re expecting, we’ve got Joel Hanley with Mackenzie Waguer. We’ve got Kevin Ball playing with Braden Bahal, which means that Yan Kousnets, who had to wait 666 days to play in his second career NHL game and did on Wednesday, will be back in the lineup and back out of pairing with Rasmus Anderson. What did you see from Kousnets on Wednesday and Friday? And uh what are you expecting to see tonight? Well, the biggest thing I saw from Yian KNet on Friday especially was just the confidence that he’s playing with. And I asked him about that this morning and he said, “I know what I’m capable of. He’s not the same player that he was 666 days prior to uh drawing into the lineup on Wednesday. He knows what he is as a player, what he needs to bring. He defends really well. Uh you plays well in the neutral zone just in terms of his gap. He defends hard. But I also asked him about his offense. He had six shot attempts in the game on Friday and he said that he really focuses on bringing a simple offensive game getting shots through from the blue line but inside the docks as well. So it’ll be exciting to see him again with Rasmus Anderson. Thought he did an outstanding job on Friday. Yeah, I thought he was one of the Flames best players in that four nothing loss versus the Blackhawks. And as usual, Dustin Wolf gave his team a chance to win that game. kind of got away from them in the third period, but he’s played in 14 of the first 16 games and will get a night off tonight, which means the Flames go back to Devin Culie. And you know, it’s interesting. He really struggled in the preseason, but he’s been fantastic so far in the regular season. Third in the NHL in goals against average, second in save percentage, and you’ve got some other really good Devin Culie numbers. Yeah, he is first in goal save above expected per 60. Uh second in slot save save percentage and fourth in inner slot save percentage. So you look at the saves that he’s making especially in those high danger areas. He’s been excellent as well. But every single time he’s been called upon, he’s been ready and he has been absolutely outstanding. I asked assistant coach Dave Lowry about him this morning as well and he said that Devin Kulie is a guy he hasn’t got a lot of starts like you said but he really puts the work in away from the games uh and in practice to make sure that he’s ready when he’s called upon. Well, obviously the Flames were not happy with the way Friday’s game against the Blackhawks went and will try very hard to bounce back in game one of a two-game road trip versus the Wild tonight. Mick, it’s a talented Wild team of course led by Carell Capri, the highest paid player in the NHL. What are going to be the three keys to victory for the Flames in this one? Well, the first one is they need to play to their identity and their success comes from how well they defend. Uh especially when you look at their play through the neutral zone, limiting time and space. So, uh just really focusing on being that hard team to play against, defending well, creating offense from there. Uh the second one and something McKenzie Weaguer mentioned after the game on Friday was making sure that there are no passengers that everyone is ready to play, ready to go uh and is up to the task just in in terms of fulfilling their role and what they need to do uh to contribute to the game uh and in their spots in the lineup. And then the last one is the Minnesota Wild are one of the best if not the best in terms of offensive zone possession time in the NHL. So, uh, you look at that and what you really want to do is just limit the amount of time for the Flames that they’re spending in their own end because that’s how the Wild are the most dangerous. When they get into the offensive zone, they get working the puck around and obviously have very dangerous, dynamic, skilled players, uh, that can make you pay. So, uh, just limit that time in their own zone, play at the other end of the ice. Well, the Flames have had a lot of luck against the Wild in recent seasons. swept last year’s season series and are 82 and two in their last 12 games against these guys. So, we’ll see if the Flames can bounce back with a big win tonight. Uh, in case you’re wondering, we did not plan these outfits, but uh, very nice new suit you’ve got on there, Mick. You look good, too. Yeah. Hopefully, uh, this game is as good as these suits are. Uh, we’ll have the call for you on Sportsnet 960, The Fan, and John Abbott and Jason York will have the call for you on Sportsnet West at 600 p. p.m. Mountain time. Enjoy the game, everybody. [Music] Heat.

Meaghan Mikkelson and Derek Wills set up Sunday’s tilt in Saint Paul