The Calgary Flames (28-23-9) have had a rough road trip, losing some tough contests to some elite opponents. Tonight, they face the Philadelphia Flyers, a team that ranks below them within their respective divisions and the overall standings.
It’s been several months since these two clubs met, as the Flyers visited the Saddledome on Oct. 12, the Flames’ second game of the season. Calgary started the season on a four-game win streak, which included a 6-3 victory over Philadelphia.
Somehow, the Flames find themselves in the last playoff spot despite going 3-5-1 in their last ten contests, getting outscored 29-18, and scoring just one goal in their past three games.
Meanwhile, the Flyers, who are also fighting for their own playoff spot, are just 4-4-2 in their last ten contests, with a goal differential of just minus-3 at 29-27. Interestingly, Philadelphia is 3-for-20 on the power-play, while opponents are also 3-for-20 during this stretch.
Between the Pipes
Calgary starter – Dustin Wolf
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Season: 36 GP / 20-12-4 / 2.58 GAA / .913 SV%
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Career: 54 GP / 28-19-5 / 2.72 GAA / .908 SV%
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Last 5: 1-2-2 / 2.60 GAA / .910 SV%
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vs. Opponent: 1-0-0 / 2.00 GAA / .933 SV%
Philadelphia starter – Samuel Ersson
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Season: 34 GP / 18-10-4 / 2.82 GAA / .893 SV%
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Career: 97 GP / 47-32-11 / 2.85 GAA / .893 SV%
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Last 5: 3-0-2 / 2.80 GAA / .901 SV%
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vs. Opponent: 1-0-0 / 3.05 GAA / .925 SV%
Conversation Starters
– Tuesday will mark the first time Jakob Pelletier will face the Flames, the team that drafted him 26th overall at the 2019 Draft. Moreover, it’s the first time Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost will face the Flyers, who drafted each of them in the first round. Emotions will be overflowing.
– The Flames have one goal in the last ten periods and now have the lowest GF/GP in the NHL. Days ahead of the trade deadline, what kind of performance does this team have left in the tank during the second to last game of the lengthy road trip?
– Calgary controls their playoff destiny with 22 games left, the same amount as the Vancouver Canucks. However, two other teams are in the wild card race. Can the Flames take care of business against a team below them in the standings?
Where Are They Now?
Calgary
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2nd Wildcard
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8th Western Conference
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18th NHL
Philadelphia
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7th Wildcard
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13th Western Conference
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24th NHL
Flames & Flyers Leaders
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Goals: Jonathan Huberdeau (22) / Travis Konecny (22)
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Assists: MacKenzie Weegar (27) / Travis Konecny (41)
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Points: Jonathan Huberdeau & Nazem Kadri (44) / Travis Konecny (63)
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PIM: Brayden Pachal (80) / Garnet Hathaway (48)
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PPG: Jonathan Huberdeau (7) / Travis Konecny (8)
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SOG: Nazem Kadri (202) / Travis Konecny & Owen Tippett (143)
Per the Flames staff at NHL.com, here’s a breakdown of tonight’s lineup. (Subject to change)
FORWARDS
Jonathan Huberdeau — Nazem Kadri — Matt Coronato
Blake Coleman — Mikael Backlund — Joel Farabee
Yegor Sharangovich — Morgan Frost — Martin Pospisil
Ryan Lomberg — Kevin Rooney — Connor Zary
DEFENCE
Joel Hanley — Mackenzie Weegar
Kevin Bahl — Rasmus Andersson
Jake Bean — Brayden Pachal
GOALIES
Dan Vladar
Dustin Wolf
SCRATCHES
Adam Klapka, Ilya Solovyov, Daniil Miromanov
Tonight’s game starts at 5:00 p.m. MT and is available on NBCSP, SN, and Sportsnet+.
Read the full article here
