Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks: Game Preview, Prediction

Calgary Flames (25-18-3) vs. Anaheim Ducks (30-10-6)

Game Time: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, 10:30 p.m. ET

Players to Watch:

Anaheim: D Cam Fowler, RW Corey Perry

Calgary: C Jiri Hudler, LW Johnny Gaudreau

The Flames have been one of the most surprising teams in the league this season, and the Ducks have been quite frankly the best team in the league. These Pacific Division rivals will both be looking to go into the All-Star break on a good note. Despite being youthful, the Flames are an absolutely fearless group and will not flinch going into the Honda Center against a powerhouse Ducks team.

On the back end for Anaheim, Sami Vatanen gets a good share of the headlines, but 23-year-old Cam Fowler is the Ducks’ most important defenseman. The former U.S. Olympian has emerged as a better all-around player than he’s ever been this season and is among the team’s leaders in icetime. Bruce Boudreau’s confidence in Fowler cannot be overstated, as he’s playing the best hockey of his career this season and his best days are without question ahead of him.

Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf are as dynamic a duo as there is the NHL. The pair has been a mainstay in Anaheim for the last decade. Getzlaf is getting plenty of MVP consideration, but Perry has been on a goal scoring tear as of late. Look for Perry to be generating plenty of chances all night long as Calgary’s defensemen are tasked with keeping the Ducks off the score sheet.

Former Detroit Red Wing Jiri Hudler has emerged as a steady veteran presence on a young Flames team and is pacing Calgary in scoring. Hudler’s play has been instrumental in the Flames’ success, and his craftiness will lead to plenty of scoring chances against a tough Ducks defense. While Hudler’s veteran presence is important, the 21-year-old, undersized rookie Johnny Gaudreau has been among the NHL’s most exciting players and is showing that size doesn’t matter. Expect a big game from Gaudreau as he goes into the All-Star break on a hot streak.

While the Ducks are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, the Flames will surely be up to the task as they look to prove themselves against the league’s elite. Look for two goals from Gaudreau and the Flames to pick up the win in Orange County to go into the break strong

Final Prediction: Calgary 3, Anaheim 2