Planned Flames lineup and notes against Lightning – 12/12/24

The Calgary Flames return to the Scotiabank Saddledome to begin a crucial five-game homestand before the Christmas break.

After a thrilling 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, the Flames (14-10-5) welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning (14-10-2) to town.

The Lightning are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division, while Calgary is tied with the Vancouver Canucks for fourth place in the Pacific Division.

Related: Flames Huberdeau posts longest point streak in three seasons

In goal, Dan Vladar (6-5-4) will make his second straight start, facing Andrei Vasilevskiy (12-9-1) of the Lightning.

Each goaltender has recorded two shutouts this season, but Vasilevskiy has the edge statistically, with a better GAA of 2.38-2.95 and a SV% of 0.910-0.897%.

Calgary’s leading scorer is Jonathan Huberdeau, who has 10 goals and 19 points in 29 games. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is led by Nikita Kucherov, who has 13 goals and 38 points in 29 games.

Here’s a breakdown of today’s lineup, according to the Flames staff at NHL.com. (subject to change)

FORWARD

Jonathan Huberdeau – Nazem Kadri – Martin Pospisil

Yegor Sharangovich – Mikael Backlund – Matt Coronato

Blake Coleman – Connor Zary – Andrei Kuzmenko

Ryan Lomberg – Kevin Rooney – Walker Duehr

DEFENSE

Kevin Bahl – Rasmus Andersson

MacKenzie Weegar – Daniil Miromanov

Jake Bean – Brayden Pachal

GOALKEEPER

Dan Vladar

Tonight will be the first of two meetings between the two clubs, with the second scheduled for February 27, 2025 at the Amalie Arena.

Thursday’s Flames vs. Lightning game will be available on Sportsnet One and Sportsnet+. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT.

Bookmark THN’s Calgary Flames site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and more.