Preview: Calgary Flames @ Montreal Canadiens 10/22/18 (9/82): Flames Go For 2 In A Row In Montreal

Calgary Flames @ Montreal Canadiens, 5:30 PM MT, Bell Centre, Montreal PQ

Calgary Flames 5-3-0 (10 points) – Montreal Canadiens 4-1-2 (10 points)

NHL Standings

The Flames mini 2 game road trip rounds out with a visit to Montreal to take on the 4th place Canadiens Tuesday night. Just pile this Montreal team onto the early season list of solid teams the Flames have had to deal with 8 games into 2018-19. The Flames haven’t gotten much in the way of cupcakes so far, but they’ve been handling themselves just fine as the navigate the upper echelon of the 2018-19 NHL season.

It looks like Mike Smith will get the start in net tonight and he’s been the wildcard early on. Smith plays well one night and is a disaster the next and if you believe that’s how he’s going to trend then the Flames should be fine tonight. Smith’s last start was a 5-3 loss to Nashville after he blanked them 3-0 back on October 9th. Which Smith will show up remains a mystery, but the Flames will need the “on” Smith if they want to stretch their win streak to 2 games.

The Canadiens have been cruising so far this season, sitting in 4th place in the Eastern Conference. They haven’t faced quite as tough a schedule as Calgary, but they’re still getting the job done. They don’t rank in the top in any major statistical categories, yet they are playing extremely well. The one chink in the armor could be what is usually something Montreal can count on: Carey Price. Prices does have two wins, but he’s been involved in all three Canadiens defeats, 2 of those coming in OT.

The Flames haven’t been super successful over the years in Montreal, owning a 19-34-8 record in the Canadiens home rink, but they are 5-3-0 in their last 8 trips to visit the Canadiens.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Montreal Canadiens Coverage: Habs Eyes On The Prize

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 4 NY Rangers 1 (recap)

Montreal Canadiens 3 Ottawa Senators 4 OT (recap)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames: Johnny Gaudreau (F)

Gaudreau had his first 2 goal game in almost a year Sunday night against the Rangers and looks like he’s ready to break out. He has points in 4 straight games and is only 2 assists away from the 200 mark. More importantly he has had a point in every Flames game this season with the exception of Calgary’s 5-3 loss to the Blues. He has only 2 goals in 6 career meetings with Montreal.

Montreal Canadiens: Tomas Tatar (F)

Tatar has enjoyed his start with Canadiens since being dealt to the Habs from Vegas. The Czech native was the big return Montreal got when they dealt Max Pacioretty to the Golden Knights and the deal seems to be working out. In 7 games Tatar has 3 goals and 5 assists, one of those being a PPG.

by Mark Parkinson