The early-season importance of Thursday’s clash with the Canucks is reflected in the Flames travel plans of Wednesday.

   Generally, the Flames would fly to Vancouver in late afternoon following a practice at the Saddledome.

    Wednesday the club took a late am flight to the coast and practiced at GM Place. Then the day-of-game skate on Thursday allows two uses of the ice for familarity before game time.

    Just how important are the games?

    Considering its just the 23rd game of the season, its not a “must-win”  but with the potential for an 8-point swing in standing it is as big a game as one can get for the last week of Nov.  Saturday’s return game in Calgary will be in the same category.

    A Flame sweep would move them to within a single point of the NW Division leading Canucks. A pair of setbacks would make a 9-point deficit.

    Dustin Boyd is here in Vancouver but didn’t skate either day and won’t play Thursday. He’s sidelined with an upper body ailment.  Brandon Prust will be his replacement.  Wayne Primeau didn’t skake this am and is questionable with a lower body injury.  Andre Roy will be his replacement if Primeau can’t play.

    The Canucks could be without 2 of their regular forwards as well as #1 goalie Roberto Luongo.  Centre Ryan Johnson is definitely out with broken leg and a broken finger.  Steve Bernier has a shoulder ailment and is questionable.  Centre Alexandre Bolduc has been called up from the Manitoba Moose to replace Johnson. Defenseman Kevin Bieksa will return. He’s been out for 6  games with a broken foot. 

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