Canucks Hold Slim Edge Over Flames

The Vancouver Canucks have a slight statistical advantage going into their first-round NHL Playoffs matchup against the Calgary Flames.

Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks plays the puck off the back of the net to elude the check of T.J. Brodie of the Calgary Flames on Jan. 10, 2015 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. The two Canadian division rivals are slated for an interesting battle in the first round of the NHL Playoffs. Rich Lam/Getty Images

The Vancouver Canucks have a slight statistical advantage going into their first-round NHL Playoffs matchup against the Calgary Flames. But don’t sell the Flames short. They have proven the experts wrong throughout the season.

The teams basically split the four-game regular season series with the Flames gaining an extra point due to an overtime loss in December.

If the Flames have the edge, it is in goal, as they know who their starting goalie will be. Jonas Hiller who enjoyed a fine season. The former Swiss Olympian posted a 2.36 goals against average and a .918 save percentage in 52 appearances this season.

Vancouver has a decision to make between the pipes. Do they go with veteran Ryan Miller who just returned from injury, or do they roll with Eddie Lack, who played very well in Miller’s absence? Miller may have playoff experience, but it was Lack who posted better numbers in the season.

The Flames will need that trio to be in top form as 35.6 percent of its goals came from Hudler, Gaudreau, and Monahan.