Calgary Flames at Montreal Canadiens [Game 29]

			-AT-
			5:30 PM MST
Radio	Network		Arena		Network	Radio
960 AM CFAC	SN		Centre Bell		RDS	690 AM CKGM
League	Value		Metric		Value	League
19th	53.6%		Points Percentage		50.0%	23rd
11th	16.84%		Net Power Play Percentage		15.63%	18th
26th	73.12%		Net Penalty Kill Percentage		72.63%	28th
21st	89.96%		Combined Special Teams Percentage		88.26%	26th
18th	2.89		Goals for per Game (All Situations)		2.79	24th
22nd	3.21		Goals against per Game (All Situations)		3.10	20th
14th	.07		Penalty +/- per Game (All Situations)		.03	17th
9th	52.02%		Shot Attempt Percentage (5V5 Score Adjusted)		50.85%	12th
9th	52.38%		Scoring Chance Percentage (5V5 Score Adjusted)		51.79%	11th
23rd	98.87%		P.D.O. (5V5)		98.98%	22nd
28th	6.66%		Shooting Percentage (5V5)		7.26%	25th
17th	92.21%		Save Percentage (5V5)		91.72%	19th
Data from Hockey-Reference.com and Natural Stat Trick
The Enemies’ Lair
Eyes On The Prize

The Calgary Flames’ second game of a two game road trip in eastern Canada concludes tonight as they take on the Montreal Canadiens. Both of the teams have slipped a bit this season as neither currently sits in playoff position after making moves in the offseason to sure up their clubs. Some pundits had gone so far as to predict a rematch of the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals, but both teams will need to up the ante considerably if they wish to get to that point.

Canadiens netminder Carey Price has been fighting with injuries the entire season forcing him to miss some games. He has not looked good in the games in which he has played as his xSV% in five-on-five situations is 51st out of the top 60 goalies in minutes played. Price recently signed a 10.5 million dollar deal and the Canadiens cannot be happy that they're paying him that type of money to put up numbers than the likes of Keith Kinkaid.

Beyond the goalie struggles, they've had some similar woes to the Flames, namely their shooting percentage is low and their special teams – particularly the penalty kill – have been abhorrent. The two clubs are incredibly similar in play style, but Montreal has the advantages of having a day of rest and being on home ice. Both teams offenses should eventually click out of their funk and each of them are hoping that doesn't happen tonight.

Matthew Tkachuk was suspended earlier today for his spear on Matt Martin in last night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Freddie Hamilton slides into the lineup on the fourth line as a result Troy Brouwer moves up to the second line as continue to struggle with the fact that Troy Brouwer cannot play hockey at the N.H.L. level, much less at a second line level. There will be no chances to the defense.

David Rittich picks up just his second start this season as Mike Smith played last night. Rittich looked good in his last contest and he'll probably need to keep that up if the Flames hope to stand any chance in this one. Puck drop is at 5:35 P.M. M.S.T and can be found on Sportsnet.

Calgary Flames Lineup

Montreal Canadiens Lineup

by Les Mavus