One of the biggest problems for the Calgary Flames this season has been their inability to put together consecutive wins.
Whether it be a lack of scoring, poor defensive play, bad goaltending or anything in-between the Flames simply haven't been able to win two games in a row.
In six games following a win this season the Flames have lost five of them; including one last Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Flames have another opportunity to buck that trend tonight as they are set to host the defending champs.
While the Flames have struggled for much of the year they have won five of nine and three straight at home.
The Blackhawks own a very respectable 11-7-1 record but have struggled mightily away from the United Center as they own a 3-5-0 record on the road.
The Flames have a tough but not impossible task at hand. Let's see if they're up for the challenge.
LINEUPS Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler Bennett - Backlund - Frolik Colborne - Stajan - Jones Ferland - Jooris - Bollig
Giordano - Brodie Russell - Hamilton Engelland - Wideman
Ramo
--
*will not play, unsure of replacement
Dano - Toews - Hossa Panarin - Anisimov - Kane Shaw - Kruger - Teravainen* Mashinter - Kero - Garbutt
Keith - Hjalmarsson van Riemsdyk - Seabrook Daley - Rozsival
Crawford
THREE KEYS 1) Believe it or not the Blackhawks haven't gotten much offense from players not named Panarin or Kane this season. If the Flames can somehow limit the damage that dynamic duo causes they should be in good shape.
2) Teams that generate more shots per game than the Blackhawks: the Canadiens, Stars, and Kings. Karri Ramo will have to be on his game because in all likelihood he'll be seeing a lot of rubber.
3) Neutral zone defense. The Blackhawks are a possession team and they make their hay by gaining the line with speed and keeping control of the puck. They're not a crash and bang team so holding the line and forcing dump-ins would cut down on the amount of chances the Flames allow and give them a much better chance to win. The game is at 9 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet West and CSN-Chicago.
Recent posts: On Jones, Frolik, Hamonic & more