Calgary Flames at New York Islanders [Game 56]

			-AT-
			7:00 PM EST/5:00 PM MST
Radio	Network		Arena		Network	Radio
960 AM CFAC	SN		Barclays Center		MSG+	88.7 FM WRHU
League	Value		Metric		Value	League
13th	58.2%		Points Percentage		53.6%	21st
24th	14.13%		Net Power Play Percentage		16.95%	16th
24th	80.66%		Net Penalty Kill Percentage		76.69%	28th
25th	94.79%		Combined Special Teams Percentage		93.64%	26th
20th	2.84		Goals for per Game (All Situations)		3.41	3rd
14th	2.85		Goals against per Game (All Situations)		3.70	31st
15th	.05		Penalty +/- per Game (All Situations)		.25	7th
5th	52.28%		Shot Attempt Percentage (5V5 Score Adjusted)		47.22%	25th
6th	52.52%		Scoring Chance Percentage (5V5 Score Adjusted)		46.06%	28th
15th	100.35%		P.D.O. (5V5)		100.90%	9th
20th	7.28%		Shooting Percentage (5V5)		9.40%	2nd
6th	93.08%		Save Percentage (5V5)		91.49%	25th
Data from Hockey-Reference.com and Natural Stat Trick
The Enemies’ Lair
Matchsticks and Gasoline

The Calgary Flames and New York Islanders square off at the Barclays Center for Travis Hamonic’s first game in the away team locker room against the Islanders. Hamonic spent seven seasons with the Islanders before being traded away in the offseason after originally requesting a trade and then pulling the trade request. Calgary traded away a first round pick in that deal and one can be certain that they’d desperately like to win this one as they currently sit in the lottery.

The visiting Flames are coming off of a four to three loss to the lowly New York Rangers. The Flames won the puck possession battle, but discipline was a concern and with the team playing on back-to-back nights, that proved to be a deal breaker. The Rangers two power play goals proved to be the margin of victory. It was a strange night as the only two individuals to score were Brett Kulak and Curtis Lazar – in Kulak’s case it was his first career goal.

The Islanders were on the second of a back-to-back themselves. They were thoroughly outplayed by the Detroit Red Wings for most of the game, but Tyler Bertuzzi took a baseball swing at Cal Clutterbuck which sent the Islanders to a five minute power play. They managed to score four times which bumped their power play up from 22nd to 16th on the year and garnered a six to five lead. They lost it when Detroit pulled their goalie, but a terrific pass from Matthew Barzal lead to his fifth assist on the night and Brock Nelson’s second career hat trick sent them away with the overtime victory.

Despite the Islanders massing improvement on the power play on Friday, the Flames still have an incredibly narrow margin on special teams for the year. They also have a tremendous advantage in five-on-five play which is an area the Islanders have struggled with mightily after they lost Calvin de Haan. Netminding has been better for the Flames as well, but the Islanders do have the advantage in penalty differential, power play, and shooting percentage.

No lineup changes are expected for tonight’s game for either team. The Flames will send Mike Smith out there tonight even though plenty were calling for David Rittich to get the start. Jaroslav Halak will start for the Islanders as Thomas Greiss continues to be absolutely awful on the season.

Puck drop is at 7:05 P.M. E.S.T, 5:00 P.M. M.S.T. It will be seen on MSG+ in the New York metropolitan area and Sports Net in the Calgary one. Go team!

Calgary Flames Projected Lineup

New York Islanders Projected Lineup

by Les Mavus