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How do the Canucks deal with Calgary’s strong defence?

The Canucks facesa big challenge in the Flames stout defensive group, led by captain Mark Giordano. Paired with Dougie Hamilton, Giordano pushes play in a positive direction.

But the Flames defensive play does give away a lot of shots in the slot, and if there’s one thing the Canucks have managed to do well this season, it’s gets shots from the slot.

Photo by Mark J. Terrill / AP

Jagr returns from groin injury

The Flames waived Tanner Glass yesterday and Freddie Hamilton late last week, creating roster flexibility that would allow them to add Jaromir Jagr back to the lineup from Injured Reserve. Odds were good the 45-year-old legend gets in the lineup at home against the Canucks and he’ll play with the goalless Sam Bennett and rookie Mark Jankowski.

“I wanted to try it (groin) out today and I didn’t feel any pain,” said Jagr, who missed six games and underwent an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to ensure there wasn’t further damage and hasn’t scored in his five outings. “It was important for me to find out because I’ve never had this kind of injury before.

“When I was skating on my own and driving the net, I didn’t have time to think about the injury but then it was sore. But now I feel good, so we’ll see what happens. I’m a little bit scared not to get injured again — that would be kind of sad for me, especially on a new team.

“Last year I didn’t miss any games. So this is kind of frustrating.”

Said Flames coach Glen Gulutzan: “It’s intimidating for any young player to play with such a player like Jagr. This isn’t a guy who slaps his stick for the puck — he (Jagr) wants you to play right. If it’s a shot, take the shot.”

Photo by RICHARD LAM / PNG

Who starts in goal

As of Monday afternoon, Anders Nilsson’s fiancée still hadn’t given birth — and with Jacob Markstrom starting Monday against Detroit, you’d figure that Nilsson would start against the Flames, but if he stays in Vancouver, then might we see Thatcher Demko make his NHL debut?

The game-day skate was sparse, with Demko taking shots from Alex Edler, Loui Eriksson and Patrick Wiercioch.

Reid Boucher has been recalled from the Utica Comets.