After a few days off, the Calgary Flames return to game action tonight when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Penguins are off to solid 8-5-1 start but they have struggled immensely in back-to-back situations going 0-4-0 with a minus-22(!) goal differential in those games.
It just so happens the Penguins again find themselves in a back-to-back as they played in Edmonton last night.
Given the Flames haven't played since Sunday, and have had time to work out some kinks in their game, they should be in good position to take advantage of a fatigued Penguins team.
Here are the projected lineups:
Calgary
Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Michael Ferland Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik Sam Bennett - Mark Jankowski - Curtis Lazar Kris Versteeg - Matt Stajan - Troy Brouwer
Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton T.J. Brodie - Travis Hamonic Brett Kulak - Michael Stone
Mike Smith
Pittsburgh (via DailyFaceoff.com)
Conor Sheary - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist Tom Kuhnhackl - Evgeni Malkin - Bryan Rust Jake Guentzel - Riley Sheahan - Phil Kessel Josh Archibald - Greg McKegg - Ryan Reaves
Brian Dumoulin - Kris Letang Olli Maatta - Chad Ruhwedal Ian Cole - Zach Trotman
Tristan Jarry
Five things to watch:
1) The Flames bled shot attempts to start the year -- they averaged more than 65 against per 60 minutes of 5v5 in six of their first eight games -- but have been much better of late allowing no more than 52.4 per 60 in four games since. It'll be interesting to see if their improved numbers hold up against a team with so much firepower.
2) Bennett has eight shots and five chances at 5v5 in four games since being shifted to the wing. He hasn't been rewarded for his efforts, but that should come soon if his play continues to improve.
3) One guy who has really taken his game up a notch of late: Ferland. After tallying eight 5v5 chances in his first seven games, he's tallied 14(!) in four games since and is now tied for 3rd on the team. It's no coincidence he's starting to find the net (he has two goals in his last four).
4) Pittsburgh has taken 20 more 5v5 penalties than Calgary thus far, albeit in two more games, and have been more undisciplined than every team but Nashville. If the Flames use their speed and fresh legs to their advantage, they could have the Pens parading to the box.
5) Jarry is expected to get the nod for the Penguins. He's a pretty highly regarded prospect but is off to a slow start this season in Wilkes-Barre, and allowed three goals on 25 shots in his only NHL appearance, so the Flames should funnel pucks to the net every chance they get.
Puck drop is just after 9:00ET/7:00MT and can be seen on SNW and ATTSN-PT.