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Five things to watch for when the Calgary Flames take on the Buffalo Sabres:
1. CGY1 vs BUF1
This matchup is a battle of two lines with very contrasting styles.
Calgary's top trio plays up tempo and generates shots and chances in high volumes. They average a hair under 65 shot attempts are expected to score 2.8 goals per 60 minutes played at 5v5.
Buffalo's current top trio is quite the opposite. They don't generate a ton of offense but so far they've been excellent at preventing it. They allow less than 44 shot attempts and are expected to give up just 1.67 goals per 60.
This matchup could very well be a wash, which means Calgary will need others to step up.
2. Calgary's PK vs Buffalo's PP
The Flames have made a habit of taking penalties this season. In fact, no team takes more on a per 60 minute basis.
The good news is Buffalo ranks 25th in goals for/60 and 26th in expected goals for/60 while up a man and are without their biggest offensive threat in Jack Eichel.
If discipline remains an issue tonight, this isn't a matchup that should get them into deep trouble.
3. David Rittich
After a great start to his NHL career, Rittich's game has fallen off a cliff. He has dropped five of his last six starts and posted a lowly .864 save percentage during that span.
It's very difficult to win without goaltending so the Flames really need him to step up tonight and give them a quality start. One would think this is a perfect matchup to get back on track.
4. Dougie Hamilton's shooting
He is always a one-man shooting gallery but lately he's taken it up a notch and peppered goaltenders like no other.
Over the last 12 games, Hamilton leads all blue liners in scoring chances (38), shots on goal (48), and shot attempts (108).
Look for him to be very involved offensively in this one.
5. A field day for Mikael Backlund
O'Reilly will be focused on Calgary's top line, which means Backlund will get to go head-to-head against the following centers: Johan Larsson, Jacob Josefson, and Benoit Pouliot, who is normally winger.
Their possession numbers over the last 10 games horrendous – Pouliot leads the group by far with a 43.3 Corsi For% – and they look even worse when it comes to scoring chance numbers.
Backlund is one of the best two-way centers in the game and I think he's going to tee off on those guys.
Here are the projected lineups:
Calgary
Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Micheal Ferland
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Sam Bennett - Mark Jankowski - Garnet Hathaway
Curtis Lazar - Matt Stajan - Troy Brouwer
Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton
T.J. Brodie - Travis Hamonic
Brett Kulak - Michael Stone
David Rittich
Buffalo Sabres (via DailyFaceoff.com)
Zemgus Girgensons - Ryan O'Reilly - Sam Reinhart
Scott Wilson - Johan Larsson - Jason Pominville
Jordan Nolan - Jacob Josefson - Kyle Okposo
Seth Griffith - Benoit Pouliot - Nick Baptiste
Marco Scandella - Rasmus Ristolainen
Brendan Guhle - Casey Nelson
Nathan Beaulieu - Viktor Antipin
Chad Johnson
Puck drop is just after 7:00 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet, TVA Sports, and ATTSN-PIT.
Recent posts:
The Flames are on the ropes
The Flames were smart to re-sign Mikael Backlund
Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland line has been one of league's best this season
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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