The Calgary Flames are bracing for their face-off against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, March 8, 2025, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. Both teams are neck-and-neck as they pursue playoff spots, making this matchup pivotal for the final stretch of the NHL season.
After the trade deadline, which saw many teams scramble for reinforcements, the Flames and Canadiens opted to retain their current rosters. The Flames’ general manager, Craig Conroy, made no moves at the recent deadline following his earlier trade at the end of January where he exchanged Jakob Pelletier and Andrei Kuzmenko to the Philadelphia Flyers for Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. This decision left the Flames starting Saturday just one point behind the Vancouver Canucks for the Western Conference’s second wild card spot.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens also chose to stand pat. They are currently positioned one point behind the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot. The fight for the playoffs has intensified, as seven teams are vying for two spots, compared to the four teams contending for the single spot available to the Flames.
The stakes are high, and every point counts as both teams recognize the importance of this game. The Canadiens enter the arena with some momentum, having gone 5-0-1 since the Four Nations Face-Off, and Cole Caufield is heating up, scoring goals in his last four games, bringing his season total to 31.
On the other hand, the Flames have experienced ups and downs on their recent six-game road trip, finishing with a 2-2-2 record and losing their last game to the Dallas Stars. The Flames will rely heavily on their star goalie, Dustin Wolf, who has been exceptional this season with 21.63 goals saved above expected. Wolf has helped the Flames maintain their tenuous grip on playoff hopes, boasting a competitive 21-12-4 record when he starts.
While both teams face significant challenges with their lineups, including injuries, they are ready for the contest. For the Canadiens, Patrik Laine's status is uncertain due to illness, making him a game-time decision. Despite this, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki are leading the charge for the Canadiens. Their strong offensive power will be tested against Calgary’s defense, anchored by Wolf.
For the Flames, their projected lineup includes Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, and Matt Coronato leading the attack, supported by new acquisitions Frost and Farabee, who they hope will bolster their offensive capabilities as the playoffs approach. The Flames struggled offensively this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in goals per game, but they boast impressive special teams, with the power play efficiency at 21.4%.
Fans can catch the game broadcast on various platforms, including Sportsnet West and ESPN+. For those wanting to follow the action online, streaming options include NHL.TV for international viewers, and local coverage on cable networks as well.
The matchup between the Flames and Canadiens promises to be thrilling, as both teams need points to secure their playoff aspirations. The Flames have managed to take victories during earlier head-to-head matchups, winning the last three encounters, including a tight 3-2 overtime victory back in November.
This upcoming game is not just about team standings; it’s also about individual accomplishments, with players like Caufield and Wolf having standout seasons. Flames’ management is optimistic about their core’s ability to step up alongside their veteran leadership. “We do believe in this group and we have great veteran leadership and that's the key. They’ve really carried this team up until this point and now we need them to have a great 20 games to get us in,” said Conroy.
The excitement of this game is already palpable as Calgary looks to take advantage of home-ice advantage. With both teams equally poised and strengthened by their respective veteran players, the clash this evening is sure to be action-packed.