Here are five things to watch when the Calgary Flames take on the Carolina Hurricanes:
1. High-event hockey While the Flames haven’t been filling the net at 5v5, it’s not due to a lack of shot volume. Pucks just aren’t going in right now. The Flames are averaging 59.45 shot attempts/60, which is 4th most – behind the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and L.A. Kings (who have recorded 20+ shots in a period vs Calgary multiple times already).
The Hurricanes aren’t far behind, sitting 6th with an average of 59.29 attempts/60. They fare even better in expected goals (essentially weighted shots), ranking 4th with 2.45 per 60.
For better or for worse, both teams generate shots in bunches. That generally leads to fun games and I’d expect no different in this one.
2. Lots of special teams There are 14 teams averaging more than six minutes on the PK per game. Two are featured in this game. The Flames spend 7:42 per night shorthanded – 2nd most only to Ottawa – while the Hurricanes have played 66:03 down a man through 11 games. Discipline is an issue for both sides and fast-paced games generally lend themselves to more penalties from defenders trying to keep up. If the first ~13% of the season is any indication, special teams will be a big factor in this one.
3. Potential to pop I loved what I saw from Calgary’s new top line in their debut together. Elias Lindholm found the back of the net and his linemates, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, had plenty of opportunity to do the same. The pair of star wingers combined for a remarkable 19 shot attempts and seven scoring chances. If they can generate close to that volume again, it’s fair to assume they’ll convert this time around.
4. #NorrisDougie Dougie Hamilton was always – always! – a high-end shot generator and point producer. All he needed to *really* erupt and reach the next level was a little more opportunity. With Justin Faulk gone, he’s getting it and taking full advantage. Hamilton has piled up 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 11 games while also driving possession. He has a +7 goal differential at 5v5 and has been on the ice for just two goals against in ~184 minutes. None of the 87 defenders with at least 180 minutes in that game can say the same. Hamilton really is playing at a Norris level and you can bet he’ll want to his former team to take notice.
5. Recipe for disaster Alan Quine has played fairly well in a depth role since being recalled. If you want to play him, play him. Fine, whatever. But on the 2nd line? With the team’s best goal scorer? On a unit with zero (0) playmaking and creativity? I don’t know about that. I could see this trio getting cratered defensively and generating very little with the puck. I have concerns about this line driving play up ice and getting into the offensive zone safely, let alone making something happen once they get there.
Here are the projected lineups:
Calgary (via @Fan960Wills) Johnny Gaudreau - Elias Lindholm - Matthew Tkachuk Alan Quine - Sean Monahan - Sam Bennett Milan Lucic - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik Andrew Mangiapane - Derek Ryan - Tobias Rieder
Mark Giordano - T.J. Brodie Noah Hanifin - Travis Hamonic Oliver Kylington - Rasmus Andersson
David Rittich
Carolina (via DailyFaceoff.com) Andrei Svechnikov - Sebastian Aho - Teuvo Teravainen Nino Niederreiter - Jordan Staal - Warren Foegele Ryan Dzingel - Erik Haula - Martin Necas Brock McGinn - Lucas Wallmark - Brian Gibbons
Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton Jake Gardiner - Brett Pesce Joel Edmundson - Trevor van Riemsdyk
Petr Mrazek
Puck drop is just after 7:00 p.m. Eastern and can be seen on SNF and FS-CR.
Numbers via naturalstattrick.com Recent posts: