The Vancouver Canucks have lost two straight games and have only one win in their past six outings, but they have plenty of confidence as they prepare to host the Calgary Flames on Sunday night.
The Canucks will return to action after suffering a 4-2 home loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday, but they believe they will win plenty of games with the effort they showed.
It was a tie game past the midway point of the third period before the Stars pulled away.
“We deserved a better fate,” Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers said. “Guys were pushing hard. I thought we generated (chances). I thought we were playing fast, and our gaps were better because of that. So we just have to stick to it, come out next game with the same mindset and keep pushing forward. A lot of good to take away from it, and that’s what we have to focus on.”
Vancouver will embark on a four-game road trip after this outing, increasing the importance of this Pacific Division clash for the club with only three wins in the past 10 home games (3-5-2).
That said, coach Adam Foote just wants his team to worry about the process, not the need to end a brief homestand on a positive note.
“It’s about consistency,” Foote said. “We bring that game more times than not, we’re going to have good results.”
Entering Sunday’s matchup, forward Elias Pettersson is riding a five-game point streak in which he has four goals and nine points. Captain Quinn Hughes was held off the scoresheet against Dallas but has 13 assists in his last seven outings.
The Flames arrive in Vancouver after a 3-2 shootout win over the Stars on Saturday, a second consecutive victory that pulled them out of last place in the league. Their 17 points through 23 games put them one point ahead of the Nashville Predators, who have played 21 contests.
Calgary staked a 2-0 lead early in the third period but saw it disappear before recovering and winning thanks to Nazem Kadri’s deciding goal in the fourth round of the shootout.
“That was one of our best games all year,” forward Jonathan Huberdeau said. “Obviously, (the Stars) scored at the end, but we stuck with it, and it’s a big two points.”
Calgary’s offensive woes are well-documented, but there are signs of finding the much-needed attack. Matt Coronato has goals in four consecutive games, while defenseman Rasmus Andersson is riding a four-game point streak (two goals, five assists).
“As a group, we’re playing with more confidence. We’re playing better,” Coronato said. “I think it’s sticking with the same plan. … We knew if we stuck with it, the bounces and the chances would start to turn.”
It would take something of a miracle for the Flames to push for a playoff spot, even with nearly three-quarters of the season remaining, but there are plenty of positives from which to build.
Their special teams have turned the corner. After going seven games without netting a power-play goal, the Flames have scored four times with the man-advantage in their last four games, including twice against Dallas. Calgary has surrendered only three opposition power-play goals in the last 10 games, killing 22 of 25 penalties. They even killed a Dallas 5-on-3 chance late in regulation.
Beating a strong Dallas team will boost the club’s belief.
“It was a good night for a lot of guys,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “Now the challenge is to build off it in a tough game on the road.”
