The Calgary Flames will be endeavouring to break a three game losing streak tonight against the visiting 13-8-2 Boston Bruins. With a 4-0 defeat on November 21 still fresh in their minds — don’t expect Boston to take this Saturday night matchup lightly.
Up and down Other than a 2-1 OT loss where Thatcher Demko stole the extra point, the Bruins have had an odd sequence of win-loss-win-loss since November 20th. If you’re a subscriber to that kind of meta-analysis then perhaps odds lean towards the Flames taking this one.
More realistically, the Bruins staged a major comeback against the Oilers on Thursday and should be starting to heat up. Confidence like that can carry on between games, especially when finishing the game strong.
Defensive showdown The League’s #1 rated defence (Calgary - 2.15GAA) and the the League’s #6 rated defence (Boston - 2.57 GAA) will be facing off. Both are coming off strong performances and both have skill players that can break the game open if they have a big night. You take a look at each team’s last five games (Bruins left column and Flames right column) and you’ll see both teams have been playing one goal games more often than not. Graphic courtesy of nhl.com.
Lines will be confirmed at warmups. Here are yesterday’s practice lines courtesy of Pat Steinberg. (@Fan960Steinberg) Markstrom is confirmed as the starter tonight.
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk Coleman-Backlund-Mangiapane Lucic-Monahan-Dube Richardson-Ruzicka-Lewis
Hanifin-Andersson Kylington-Tanev Zadorov-Gudbranson
Markstrom
Expect a big night from Matthew Tkachuk Last game the 24 year old winger from Scottsdale, Arizona was doing everything properly beyond getting the puck the extra foot it needed to get past the goal line. He had Andersen beat a handful of times and just couldn’t finish. Expect an entertaining performance from the soon to be RFA.
Speaking of star wingers If you’re a Flames fan, you’ve probably discussed the acquisition of Taylor Hall at some point in time. He’s a native Calgarian, he has elements of star power in his game, and he has been shipped around the NHL in the past.
After being acquired last year and receiving a 4 year 24 million dollar contract, Hall has underwhelmed offensively to the tune of 13 points in 24 games. His 8.9% shooting percentage indicates that he will begin return to his career mean of 10.2%, but with the mileage he’s accrued the explanation is more likely involved with how his body is holding up. He used to charge the outside through defensemen when he was on the Oilers in his early 20’s and he rarely appears to be 100% these days.
All of that said, he’s coming off a two assist performance in Edmonton and is playing in front of his hometown. Chances are that he finds a way on to the scoresheet.
Game #1000 In an obvious scheduling set-up, the Bruins organization will be present for Milan Lucic’s 1042nd game tonight. Why is that a big deal? It’s really not, but it’s a nice gesture to re-celebrate Lucic’s Silver Stick award in front of fans that love and support him. Notice he’s not re-celebrating this award at a Flames/Oilers game.
Personally, I think he should be given the role of captain for tonight. Thanks again, Ken Holland.
Trevor Neufeld
Follow me on Twitter @Trevor_Neufeld