After a couple days off the Calgary Flames are back in action tonight looking to build off a solid win over the Colorado Avalanche.
They figure to stand a decent chance of doing so as a) they're back on home soil, where they've been very good and; b) the Tampa Bay Lightning have yet to find their stride and play anywhere close to their potential, although they appear to be heading in the right direction.
Still, the Lightning are not the high-flying offensive fire power everyone expected them to be this season (they rank 21st in goals for).
That's good news for a Flames team that has scored just five goals in their last three games.
LINEUPS Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne Ferland - Backlund - Jones Bennett - Granlund - Raymond Bouma - Stajan - Jooris
Giordano - Brodie Russell - Hamilton Engelland - Wideman
Ramo
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Killorn - Stamkos - Filppula Palat - Johnson - Kucherov Brown - Paquette - Callahan Namestnikov - Boyle - Marchessault
Hedman - Stralman Carle - Coburn Garrison - Sustr
Bishop
NOTES 1) I think Bob Hartley would be smart to put his last change to use and keep Markus Granlund's line away from Tampa's top-6 whenever possible. Granlund has struggled of late and I'm not sure a steady dose of those guys is what he needs to find his game.
2) Speaking of last change, get Johnny Gaudreau as far away from the Hedman - Stralman pairing as possible. With that duo on the ice the Lightning have controlled play in a big way getting a 56% share of shot attempts, 58% share of scoring chances and 66% share of the goals.
3) If there is one thing the Lightning have been really good at this season it's keeping the puck out of the net as only six teams have allowed fewer goals. That means Karri Ramo will have to be good because the Flames probably won't score much.
The game is at 9:00 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet West and SUN.
Recent posts: On Granlund's struggles, goaltending & more