Following a couple losses to inner-divisional rivals the Calgary Flames are looking to rebound tonight against the Florida Panthers.
The Flames have hit a bit of a wall of late winning four of their last 10 yet a playoff spot is still right under their nose as they sit just two wins out.
They were certainly the better team against the Sharks, too, so they should be feeling pretty good about themselves entering this game.
Still, it won't be easy to get back on track against the Panthers. Despite their loss to the Canucks a couple nights ago they enter this game the league's hottest team by a mile having won 12 of 13 and recorded at least a point in 13 straight.
The Flames will need to be at their best if they're going to hand the Cats their second loss in a row.
LINEUPS Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland Bennett - Backlund - Hudler Colborne - Granlund - Jones Bollig - Stajan - Jooris
Giordano - Brodie Russell - Hamilton Engelland - Wideman
Hiller
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Huberdeau - Barkov - Jagr Pirri - Bjugstad - Shaw Jokinen - Trocheck - Smith Howden - MacKenzie - Thornton
Campbell - Gudbranson Kulikov - Kampfer Mitchell - Petrovic
Luongo
NOTES 1) The Huberdeau - Barkov - Jagr has been dominant since it's been put together. With this trio on the ice the Panthers have controlled 55% of the shot attempts, 62% of the scoring chances and 77% of the goals at full-strength. I expect they'll see a steady dose of Giordano and Brodie in this one.
2) Roberto Luongo owns a 9-0-1 record and .948SV% in his last 10 starts. He's playing as good as anyone right now so the Flames probably won't be able to get many pucks by him. Jonas Hiller will have to be good.
3) With the Mitchell - Petrovic pairing on the ice at 5 v 5 the Panthers get just 45% of the shot attempts and 42% of the scoring chances. Bob Hartley should target that pairing with his top offensive lines.
The game is at 9:30 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet One and FS-Florida.