Preview: Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators 10/19/18 (7/82): Preds Just Another Test For Flames

Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

NHL Standings

Calgary Flames 4-2-0 (8 points) – Nashville Predators 5-1-0 (10 points)

The tough games just keep piling up as the Flames welcome the 2nd place Nashville Predators to the Saddledome Friday night. The NHL schedule makers have been throwing challenge after challenge at the Calgary and despite a hiccup in St. Louis, the Flames have been coming up aces. The Flames are coming off an impressive showing against the Bruins on Wednesday night. Calgary yielded 2 goals to the Bruins top lines, but they were able to match Boston’s speed and they silenced one of the hottest teams in the NHL.

The Flames put together a complete victory on Wednesday and that’s something they hadn’t done all season. They ran all four lines with effectiveness and Mike Smith really stood on his head to protect the Flames lead. That strategy, including peppering the opposition with shots early is something they will have to do tonight in Nashville if they plan on beating the Preds for a second time this season.

Nashville has only one loss on the season and that came at the hands of the Calgary Flames back on October 9th. Since that loss Nashville has won three straight and outscored their opponents 12-4. The 3-0 loss to the Flames is also the only time they’ve been shut out this season. The Predators are struggling early with their special teams, with both being in the bottom 20 so far in 2018-19.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Nashville Predators Coverage: On The Forecheck

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 5 Boston Bruins 2 (recap)

Nashville Predators 4 Minnesota Wild 2 (recap)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames: Sam Bennett (F)

Bennett has been showing signs of life lately and that’s a good thing for the Flames. The much maligned forward hasn’t been finding the back of the net, but his play has shown some of the promise we’ve been hearing about since he was drafted. Bennett only has 1 goal this season, but if his play continues those numbers could quickly grow. The Ontario product has never scored against the Predators in 8 career games.

Nashville Predators: Ryan Johansen (C)

Johansen has points in 4 of his last 5 games, including back to back games with 2 assists. The star centre was held off the score sheet in Nashville’s 3-0 loss to Calgary and had only 2 SOG. However, last season he had 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 games against the Flames.

by Mark Parkinson