Game Day | Flames vs. Golden Knights – 20.12.25

Welcome inside a Scotia Bank Saddle Dome and to the Calgary Flames final home game before the Christmas break. And here to get you set for a Saturday night showdown versus the Vegas Golden Knights. I’m Derek Wills alongside Megan Mickelson. Well, Mick, let’s start with Rasmus Anderson. Here’s how he looked before Thursday’s game. And here’s how he looked after recording three primary assists, including the 200th of his NHL career and a thrilling 4-2 come from behind victory over the Seattle Kraken here at Scotia Bank Saddle. He’s having a great season. He’s got seven goals and 25 points. He’s on pace for a career-high 16 goals and 58 points this season. How is Ras taking his game to another level? Well, if you haven’t seen the piece that Rasmus did with Brendan Parker on his new avatar, highly recommend you go check that out on the Flame social channels. But, uh, for me, Rasmus, I mean, the consistency with which he’s playing for the most part. We saw the game against the San Jose Sharks, who’s minus three in that one, but over the course of the season, his games afterwards in terms of bounceback have been really strong against the Seattle Kraken, three assists, plus three. So, he’s been really consistent. But the biggest thing is it’s his skating and the pace that he’s playing with. And not just from an offensive standpoint and jumping up and joining the rush, but the way that he’s defending also when you’re skating, when you’re moving your feet, you’re able to defend a lot better also. And then of course continuing to see that shot mentality from him. He’s been excellent. >> And after tonight’s game, Rasmus Anderson will be the guest of Scott Oak and Eric Francis on after hours. So be sure to tune in to that on Hockey Night in Canada. The only guy on the Flames who has more points than Rasmus Anderson this season is Nas and Cadri. And Nas had a tough time putting the puck at his opponent’s net to start the season at a career-low shooting percentage, but he’s now scored in back-to-back games. He scored the big game-tying goal here on Thursday night. What are you seeing from the Flames number 91 right now? >> Well, not surprising that the goals and points are starting to come more so for him. Uh you look at some of his metrics, uh expected goals, first on the team, shot attempts, shots on goal. He also leads the team in rush chances, cycle chances, forch check chances. Uh he is first in slot shots. So, uh when you look at all of that, you have to think that it was just a matter of time before he started to score more goals. The other thing that he does so well, uh his entries, he is third in the NHL offensive zone entries, only behind Conor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon, in pretty good company there. So using his speed as well to drive defenders back. Uh that gives you more time in the offensive zone. Uh more time to create the chances that he has as well. >> Well, tonight the Flames will take on a Vegas Golden Knights team that comes in on an eightgame point streak, but without five of their top players. No Aiden Hill, no Alex Petrangelo, no Shay Theodore, no William Carlson, no Jack Eel. So what are the three keys to victory for the Flames going to be in this one? >> Well, the biggest one is to make sure they protect the inner slot. The Vegas Golden Knights first in the NHL in inner slot shots. They are first in slot passes, second in high danger chances. So, making sure that you protect the front of your net really well. The second one is to stay disciplined. Uh the Vegas Golden Knights have a very good power play, though they sit seventh in the NHL. All other metrics in terms of expected goals on the power play and their chances, they’re in the top five in every single category. So, stay out of the box, play a disciplined game. And then the last one, and we’ve seen it so much when this Flames team has had success, they have everyone rolling. Uh the Vegas Golden Knights are a very deep team. Ryan Huska mentioned that to us this morning. They also have uh tied for first in most players with 20 plus points at seven. So going to make need to make sure that all four lines, all six deep and Devin Culie getting the start, everyone is sharp and ready to go. >> Well, as mentioned, this will be the Flames final home game before the Christmas break. They do have a couple of Battles of Alberta coming up against the Oders. They’ll be in Edmonton on December 23rd and then back here in Calgary on December 27th. If you don’t already have your tickets, be sure to get them soon. We’re looking forward to this game tonight and we’ll have the call for you on Sportset 960 the Fan. You can also watch the game on Hockey Night in Canada at 8:00 p.m. Happy holidays everybody and enjoy the game.

Meaghan and Derek set up tonight’s tilt with visiting Vegas

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