FGD 55: Taming the Predators (7pm MT, SN One)
By Ryan Pike
4 years agoAfter a couple disappointing losses, the Calgary Flames (27-21-6, 60 points) are back and hoping to end their home stand with a big win. They host the Nashville Predators (25-20-7, 57 points), a team who are chasing the Flames for a playoff spot. It’s a big game with two crucial points on the line for both hockey clubs!
It begins just after 7 p.m. MT on Sportsnet One and Sportsnet 960 The Fan.
The Flames
Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:
Mangiapane – Lindholm – Tkachuk
Gaudreau – Monahan – Robinson
Lucic – Ryan – Dube
Rieder – Backlund – Bennett
Gaudreau – Monahan – Robinson
Lucic – Ryan – Dube
Rieder – Backlund – Bennett
Brodie – Hamonic
Hanifin – Andersson
Kylington – Stone
Hanifin – Andersson
Kylington – Stone
Cam Talbot starts for the Flames, backed up by David Rittich. Today’s scratches are Zac Rinaldo, Mark Jankowski and Brandon Davidson. Mark Giordano swaps out for Oliver Kylington after the captain’s hamstring injury against San Jose. Mark Jankowski swaps out for the speedy Tobias Rieder, which could make for a fun fourth line grouping.
The Flames are 1-2-1 since the All-Star Break, and 1-3-1 in first five outings of latest seven game segment – they could be poised for their worst segment performance of the season. They played better against San Jose than they did against Edmonton on Saturday, but they played just poorly enough defensively to allow three big goals. They’ve been out-scored at five-on-five handily since the All-Star Break and that’s putting a ton of pressure on their special teams. Their goal going forward should be trying to break even at even strength and then take their chances on the power play; they shouldn’t be asking their special teams units to save their bacon.
We hope Talbot doesn’t get in any more fights.
The Predators
Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:
Duchene – Johansen – Granlund
Forsberg – Turris – Arvidsson
Grimaldi – Bonino – Smith
Trenin – Sissons – Blackwell
Forsberg – Turris – Arvidsson
Grimaldi – Bonino – Smith
Trenin – Sissons – Blackwell
Josi – Weber
Tinordi – Ekholm
Hamhuis – Fabbro
Tinordi – Ekholm
Hamhuis – Fabbro
Juuse Saros starts for Nashville, backed up by Pekka Rinne. The projected extras are Austin Watson and Matt Irwin.
The Predators haven’t been amazing this season, but they’re finding some consistency since their coaching change and are quietly creeping towards the top of the wildcard race. If they win tonight, they’ll be just a point back of Calgary with a game in hand. If they lose, they’ll be five points back. It’s a big swing for a group that’s really underachieved this season.
The Numbers
| Flames | Predators | |
| Wins | 27 | 25 |
| Points | 60 | 57 |
| Adjusted Corsi | 49.8% | 51.5% |
| Power Play | 20.0% | 16.6% |
| Penalty Kill | 81.7% | 74.5% |
Injury Report
The Flames are without D Juuso Valimaki (ACL surgery) and D Mark Giordano (lower body).
The Predators are without D Ryan Ellis (upper body) and F Calle Jarnkrok (illness). Both skated this morning, though.
When Last We Met
This is the second of three games between these teams this season. The Flames won a 6-5 overtime thriller on Halloween. Matthew Tkachuk scored a crazy goal in overtime.
Know Thy Enemy
Here are some key Twitter peeps to follow for tonight:
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