FGD 8: Visiting the World’s Most Famous Arena (5pm MT, SN West/One)
By Ryan Pike
5 years agoAfter splitting their two game homestand, the Calgary Flames (4-3-0, 8 points) are on the road for an equally short road trip. They kick things off tonight against the New York Rangers (2-4-1, 5 points). It’s the Flames’ one yearly trip to Madison Square Garden, the oldest (and coolest) building in the NHL.
The action starts at 5 p.m. MT on Sportsnet West and One and Sportsnet 960 The Fan. It’s a national broadcast commemorating the 100th episode of Hometown Hockey.
The Flames
Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:
Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm
Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik
Bennett – Ryan – Neal
Hathaway – Jankowski – Dube
Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik
Bennett – Ryan – Neal
Hathaway – Jankowski – Dube
Giordano – Brodie
Hanifin – Andersson
Valimaki – Stone
Hanifin – Andersson
Valimaki – Stone
David Rittich makes his second start of the season for the Flames, backed up by Mike Smith. Beyond that, no changes from Friday’s lineup: Dalton Prout, Anthony Peluso and Austin Czarnik remain the healthy scratches.
The Flames need to keep tidying their game up. On Friday, they were guilty of what Glen Gulutzan used to call “self-inflicted wounds,” where they kept giving momentum back to Nashville throughout the game. They’ll need to limit their mistakes, particularly in their own end.
The Rangers
Projected lines, via Daily Faceoff:
Kreider – Zibanejad – Fast
Chytil – Hayes – Zuccarello
Vesey – Howden – Namestnikov
Buchnevich – Spooner – Lettieri
Chytil – Hayes – Zuccarello
Vesey – Howden – Namestnikov
Buchnevich – Spooner – Lettieri
Skjei – Shattenkirk
Claesson – Pionk
Staal – Smith
Claesson – Pionk
Staal – Smith
Veteran Henrik Lundqvist starts, backed up by Marek Mazanec. The healthy scratches look to be Cody McLeod, Adam McQuaid and Anthony DeAngelo.
The Rangers are rebuilding this season, but so far they’re not tanking: they’ve already played in five games decided by a single goal. Most recently they lost to Washington in overtime on Wednesday night. They’re a beatable bunch, but you’ll have to work for it.
The Blueshirts have one of the worst PKs in the league, so tonight could be a good opportunity for Flames to get their special teams swagger back.
The Numbers
| CGY | NYR | |
| Wins | 4 | 2 |
| Points | 8 | 5 |
| Corsi Close | 57.4% | 45.3% |
| Power Play | 19.4% | 18.2% |
| Penalty Kill | 81.5% | 69.6% |
Injury Report
The Flames are missing D Travis Hamonic (facial fracture), who’s back skating in a non-contact jersey.
The Rangers are without F Matt Beleskey (shoulder).
History Lesson
This is the first of two games between these teams in 2018-19. The Rangers will visit Calgary in mid-March to complete the season series.
Know Thy Enemy
Your Rangers Twitter follows for tonight:
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