Canucks vs. Flames: 3 things you need to know

Two teams making their respective returns to the playoffs meet in an all-Canadian matchup when the Vancouver Canucks battle the Calgary Flames in a Western Conference first-round series beginning Wednesday night.

Here are three things you need to know:

Cup Final connection

Neither the Canucks nor the Flames have won a playoff series since advancing to the Stanley Cup Final on separate occasions. 

Vancouver last won a playoff round in 2011, when the Canucks advanced to the final but lost to the Boston Bruins. 

The Flames are making their first postseason appearance since 2009, but haven't won a series since advancing to the Cup Final and losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.

The clubs' Stanley Cup Final connection doesn't end there. The last three times the Flames and Canucks have played in the playoffs, the winner of the series has gone on to the final round.

Unsure goaltending

The Canucks have the platoon of Ryan Miller and Eddie Lack, while the Flames counter with Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio.

None of the four goaltenders are sure things for their respective squads.

Miller is rusty after missing extended time with a knee injury and his playoff go-around with the St. Louis Blues didn't end well. Miller's goals-against average ballooned to 2.70 GAA in a first-round loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Lack is unproven in the playoffs, having never started a postseason game, and his numbers don't exactly jump off the page. His 18-13-4 record and 2.45 goals-against average are mediocre.

With Karri Ramo down with a lower-body injury, Hiller will get the starting nod for the Flames. The 33-year-old has playoff experience with the Anaheim Ducks, but to call his work successful would be an overstatement. 

In 26 playoff games, his record of 12-12 with a 2.29 goals-against average doesn't sparkle, so Hiller isn't a safe bet between the pipes, either.

Young guns vs. Twin guns

Attention will be on the performances of Flames youngsters Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, as they try to outduel the Sedin twins on the score sheets.

Gaudreau is a contender for the Calder Trophy after a 64-point regular season and Monahan is the real deal notching 31 goals for Calgary.

But will they be able to match the offensive output of Henrik and Daniel? 

The Sedins were in fine form yet again for the Canucks, combining for 149 points, so the young Calgary duo will have their hands full.

The series schedule is as follows: