After a disappointing loss to the Florida on Tuesday the Calgary Flames will be looking to get back on track tonight in Tampa Bay.
Beating the Lightning, especially in their own barn, may sound like a tall order but that hasn't been a problem for many teams this season as the Bolts own a 2-4-0 record on home ice.
They haven't just been struggling at home, though, as they have lost six of 11 games on the road as well and sit a game under NHL .500 on the year.
The Flames have an opportunity to kick them while they're down - the Bolts have lost seven of their last 10 and are without Ondrej Palat - and it's one they can't afford to pass up.
There is plenty of season to make up ground but the Flames are already six points out of a playoff spot. That's a lot in today's NHL so it'd probably be best for the Flames to put their shovels away before they dig themselves a hole too deep to climb out of.
LINEUPS
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler Bennett - Backlund - Frolik Colborne - Stajan - Jones Ferland - Grant - Jooris
Giordano - Brodie Russell - Hamilton Engelland - Wideman
Ramo
--
Drouin - Filppula - Stamkos Killorn - Johnson - Kucherov Paquette - Namestnikov - Callahan Brown - Boyle - Condra
Hedman - Stralman Garrison - Coburn Carle - Sustr
Bishop
THREE KEYS 1) Secondary scoring. The Hedman - Stralman pairing is about as good as it gets and they'll probably do a good job of neutralizing Calgary's top line. If that's the case the Flames will need their next wave of guys to step up.
2) Be careful with pinches. The Flames have a very mobile defense unit that can jump in the play to help out offensively but they'll have to pick their spots. Tampa Bay is extremely dangerous in the transition game so the last thing the Flames want to do is be overly aggressive, get caught, and spoon feed them odd man rushes.
3) Goaltending. The Lightning haven't been great this season but goaltending certainly isn't the reason why. Ben Bishop has a .920 save percentage and has allowed two or less in five straight starts. It's probably safe to bet on a quality start from him so Karri Ramo will have to match him. If Ramo plays like he did in Florida the Flames are in trouble.
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet Flames and Sun Sports.
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