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Five things to watch when the Calgary Flames take on the Montreal Canadiens:
1. Top line vs top line
Calgary's top unit is going to have its hands full going up against Tomas Tatar, Phillip Danault, and Brendan Gallagher.
While that trio may not be scary on paper, their numbers to date certainly are. They have been absolutely spectacular defensively giving up just 41 shot attempts and 20 scoring chances per 60 minutes at 5v5. Their offensive numbers are equally impressive as they've generated better than 83 attempts and 35 chances per 60.
The Flames will need their secondary guys to step up tonight because I don't think the top line is going to accomplish much at 5v5.
2. Signs of life
James Neal is off to a disappointing start. He has just two points (one goal, one assist) through eight games and has looked rather invisible on some nights. While the production still isn't there, he appears to be coming around. After recording just six scoring chances in his first four games, he has piled up 13 over the last four and is tied with Johnny Gaudreau for 1st on the team in that span. If he keeps getting good looks, the goals will come. His shot is too good for him not to convert.
3. Goaltending
At 5v5, Smith owns a .899 save percentage over his last 20 starts. That's good for *checks notes* 52nd among 55 goaltenders to log at least 400 5v5 minutes during that same time span. Only Anton Forsberg, Jon Gillies, Joonas Korpisalo and Scott Darling have fared worse.
If Smith can't get his game together sooner than later, the Flames are going to have to give David Rittich more playing time and hope for the best. Smith simply isn't getting the job done and hasn't been for a while.
Update: Despite practicing in the starter's net on Monday, Smith will not start. Rittich will get the not in goal fresh off an outstanding performance where he conceded only one goal despite the Flames giving up nearly 30(!) high-danger chances in front of him.
4. Penalties!
If you like penalties, this *could* be the game for you. Montreal and Calgary are tied for 5th in 5v5 penalty differential and both teams rank inside the top-6 in penalties drawn per 60 minutes. They both ranked top-10 a year ago, too, so this is an early-season trend that is likely going to continue.
5. High-event hockey
The Flames currently sit 6th in combined shot attempts per 60 and 2nd in combined chances per 60 at 5v5. While the Canadiens lag a little behind, they also sit top half of the league in both categories. Expect a good pace in this one.
Here are the projected lineups:
Calgary (via @Fan960Steinberg)
Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Elias Lindholm
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Sam Bennett - Derek Ryan - James Neal
Dillon Dube - Mark Jankowski - Garnet Hathaway
Mark Giordano - T.J. Brodie
Noah Hanifin - Rasmus Andersson
Juuso Valimaki - Michael Stone
Mike Smith
Montreal (via DailyFaceoff.com)
Tomas Tatar - Phillip Danault - Brendan Gallagher
Jonathan Drouin - Max Domi - Artturi Lehkonen
Paul Byron - Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Joel Armia
Nicolas Deslauriers - Matthew Peca - Andrew Shaw
Karl Alzner - Jeff Petry
Mike Reilly - Noah Juulsen
Xavier Ouellet - Jordie Benn
Carey Price
Puck drop is just after 7:30 eastern and can be seen on SNF, TSN2, and RDS.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com and Corsica.Hockey.
Recent posts:
Rittich steals the show, two points in New York
On Bennett's improved play, drawing penalties, and Brodie's PK usage
Predicting the Pacific Division standings
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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