Calgary is close to being in must-win mode and this spot sets up beautifully for the Flames. 
Montreal just beat the Canucks in Vancouver, 5-1, late Wednesday night. So Montreal didn't get into Calgary until the wee hours of the morning. This will be the Canadiens' third game in four days and they will be playing without rest. Backup goalie Jake Allen likely will be in net since Carey Price played Wednesday. The Canadiens lost key defenseman Ben Chiarot to injury in that victory. 
The Flames are six points behind the Canadiens for the final playoff spot in the NHL's North Division. So this is a crucial matchup for the Flames with a potential four-point swing at play. Calgary certainly isn't going to lack motivation and preparation. 
No-nonsense Darryl Sutter has taken over as coach at Calgary. This will be his first game behind the bench. Flames assistant coach Ryan Huska acted as the team's head coach during the last two games following the firing of Geoff Ward a week ago. The Flames lost those games to the Oilers and lowly Senators. Calgary hasn't played since Sunday. Sutter has put the Flames through intense practices in anticipation of winning this game and getting his underacheiving team on track. 
This is what Sutter was quoted as saying on Wednesday, "Montreal is in our division and they’re a very good hockey club. Right now, we’re behind them in the standings so we know the importance of tomorrow night and the bottom line is we’ll be ready for it.”  
I don't doubt him.