After a couple dreadful showings in New York the Calgary Flames will be looking to end their road trip on a positive note with a win in Ottawa.
The good news is the Senators have struggled mightily at home (0-2-2) thus far. The bad news is the Senators have the 10th ranked offense and the Flames have struggled mightily to keep the puck out of their net all year having allowed 3+ goals in seven of nine games.
One of these trends will be broken tonight and, after their treacherous 2-7 start, the Flames are certainly hoping it's the latter.
LINEUPS
Note: T.J. Brodie a game-time decision. Gaudreau - Bennett - Frolik Colborne - Monahan - Hudler Raymond - Backlund - Jones Bollig - Stajan - Jooris
Giordano - Wideman Russell - Engelland Smid - Hamilton
Hiller
--
Prince - Turris - Stone Puempel - Zibanejad - Ryan Michalek - Pageau - Chiasson McCormick - Smith - Neil
Methot - Karlsson Ceci - Wiercioch Cowen - Borowiecki
Anderson
KEYS TO THE GAME 1) Stop the puck. In seven of nine games this year the Flames have allowed at least three goals. In six of nine games the Flames have allowed at least four goals. It's nearly impossible to win in today's NHL with bad goaltending and the Flames have been getting a steady dose of it. If they don't get a quality start tonight they're not going to win because their offense is struggling (1.78 goals per) and probably won't do enough to make up for 3-4+ goals against.
2) Get Dougie going. Hamilton doesn't have an even-strength point in nine games, he has been on for a ton of goals against, and has the 3rd worst Corsi Rel% on the team. At some point he needs to play like the guy we've seen over the last few years in Boston.
3) Special teams. Both teams have been undisciplined at times so there should be no shortage of power plays in this game. Whatever team wins the special teams battle will probably come out on top.
Recent posts: It's getting ugly in Calgary