The Calgary Flames are back in action tonight looking to pick up their first road win, and second win overall, of the season.
Standing in the way is a Chicago Blackhawks team off to a respectable 3-3-0 start. They own a 3-1-0 record at home this season and, as per usual, are playing their best hockey at the United Center.
While the Blackhawks have less depth surrounding their stars than in years past they will still be anything but a pushover.
Despite having just five forwards on the roster making more than $925,000 the Blackhawks have managed to control a hair under 52% of the shot attempts and 51% of the scoring chances at full-strength this season.
The Flames, meanwhile, have controlled 50% of the shot attempts and an abysmal 42.7% of the scoring chances, which puts them last in the league. In other words the Flames are going shot for shot with their opposition but, so far, they've been on the wrong side of more of the quality chances.
The Flames need that to change this evening; especially with their goaltenders struggling to hold it together right now.
Here are the Flames' expected line combinations for tonight:
Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Alex Chiasson Kris Versteeg - Sam Bennett - Troy Brouwer Lance Bouma - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik Micheal Ferland - Matt Stajan - Freddie Hamilton
Mark Giordano - Dennis Wideman T.J. Brodie - Deryk Engelland Jyrki Jokipakka - Dougie Hamilton
Brian Elliott
And the expected lines for the Blackhawks:
Tyler Motte - Jonathan Toews - Richard Panik Artemi Panarin - Artem Anisimov - Patrick Kane Ryan Hartman - Marcus Kruger - Marian Hossa Dennis Rasmussen - Nick Schmaltz - Jordin Tootoo
Duncan Keith - Brian Campbell Michal Kempny - Brent Seabrook Gustav Forsling - Niklas Hjalmarsson
Corey Crawford
A few notes:
1) With the Panarin - Kane duo the Blackhawks are controlling about 60% of the chances at 5 v 5 and their center - for tonight, anyway - has eight points in six games. The Flames are going to have a heck of a time containing that line.
2) I know the Flames have been bleeding quality chances, I'm not blind to that, but at some point they need their goaltenders to make a save. Calgary's team save percentage on the year: .861SV%. It's impossible to win with goaltending like that, which the Flames found out the hard way last season.
3) On the power play the Blackhawks lead the league in shots per 60 minutes and are 3rd in scoring chances per 60 minutes. Unlike the Flames, the Blackhawks are extremely competent on the man advantage and are not a team you want to mess around with. Discipline will be important in this one.
Puck drop is just after 8:30 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet and CSN-Chicago.
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