For the first 20 minutes Sunday, Vancouver Canucks exhibited why are the superior team in the NW Division.

Then for 40 minutes the Flames played their game and gave the Canucks some reason to fear them should the clubs clash in a playoff series next month.

First, the Flames must get into post-season play. The Sunday 3-1 defeat left them in 9th place one point behind 8th place Detroit, who they host on Monday.

Brent Sutter’s skaters need to be ready from the start against the Red Wings.

Clearly that wasn’t the case Sunday as the Canucks peppered Miikka Kiprusoff with 20 shots, scoring on 3 of them.

The Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, both scored as did Ryan Kesler. They could have more but for Kiprusoff’s great work.

He got the remainder of the evening off as Vesa Toskala took over.

The Flames then settled into their game allowing only 8 shots over 40 minutes — none in the 3rd period.
The Flames took 27 shot over the last 2 periods but the only goal was scored by Robyn Regehr midway in the 3rd against Roberto Luongo.

While Monday may not be “must win” for the Flames its the next thing to it. A loss would drop then 3 points behind the Wings. A win and they’d be one ahead.

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