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Five things to watch when the Calgary Flames play host to the Buffalo Sabres:
1. A bounce back from the top line
The Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Micheal Ferland line was a disaster against the Winnipeg Jets. An absolute disaster.
At 5v5, the Jets managed to outshoot the Flames 16-2 and out-chance them 14-4 with that trio on the ice. That is, uh, not good.
This trio has been among the best in the league this season, and they're going up against a Sabres team that can't slow down a guy from the corner store, so I'd bet on them having a much better performance tonight.
2. Will Mike Smith stay hot?
Smith is the hottest goaltender in the league right now and I'm not sure it is close. He owns a ridiculous .940 save percentage over his last 15 starts and has not allowed more than three goals once in that time.
He is as hot as the sun itself and tonight he gets the nod against a Sabres team that ranks last in goals for and last in scoring chances/60.
He's going to have an off game at some point but I wouldn't bet on it coming tonight.
3. Powerless power plays
This is one of those games where you'll want to cover your eyes whenever a team gets a power play opportunity.
The Sabres are 30th in power play goals – only Columbus has scored fewer this season – but they rank 31st with a putrid +11 goal differential on the man advantage through 46 games. +11! They've scored 19 power play markers and allowed eight short handed goals, which is truly dreadful.
Meanwhile, the Flames have scored seven power play goals in their last 18 games and looked completely out of sync on many of their extra man opportunities.
4. Eying a future Flame?
I don't know how a deal would work considering the Flames have essentially no draft pick capital – they'd almost certainly have to part with one of their top defense prospects – but they've long been linked to Evander Kane and this is the last time the two sides will meet prior to the deadline.
Kane is having a nice season as he ranks 5th in shots, 10th in scoring chances and is on pace for ~30 goals.
5. Mikael Backlund vs Jack Eichel
Backlund's line, with the help of the Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton pairing, completely shut down Winnipeg's top line the other night.
They'll face another tough task tonight shadowing Eichel, who has picked up a point on 26 of the 30 5v5 goals he's been on the ice for this season.
Here are the projected lineups:
Calgary
Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Micheal Ferland
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Troy Brouwer
Sam Bennett - Mark Jankowski - Garnet Hathaway
Martin Hrivik - Matt Stajan - Curtis Lazar
Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton
T.J. Brodie - Travis Hamonic
Brett Kulak - Michael Stone
Mike Smith
Buffalo (via DailyFaceoff.com)
Zemgus Girgensons - Jack Eichel - Kyle Okposo
Scott Wilson - Ryan O'Reilly - Sam Reinhart
Evander Kane - Johan Larsson - Jason Pominville
Jordan Nolan - Evan Rodrigues - Nick Baptiste
Marco Scandella - Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe - Justin Falk
Josh Gorges - Casey Nelson
Robin Lehner
Puck drop is just after 9:00 eastern and can be seen on SNW and MSG-B.
Recent posts:
Strong showing from Smith not enough as Flames fall to Jets in a shootout
Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland line has been one of league's best this season
Smith, Rittich putting an end to Flames' goaltending woes
On Jagr's impending exit
Could the Flames be eying Evander Kane?
Flames sign Glenn Gawdin to entry-level contract
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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