Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes Preview 3/11/2016

Arizona Coyotes @ Calgary Flames, 9 PM ET, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta

The Flames and Coyotes will face each other for the 4th time this season, this time at the Saddledome. Calgary is 0-3 when battling the Desert Puppies this season, but they do handle them fairly well when playing at home. Calgary is 57-34-9 over the years at home and are almost a goal better per game (3.9-3.0). This season is a different story, but the Flames have tonight and one more game to right the ship against Arizona. The last time these two met it was an absolute disaster with Arizona manhandling the Flames 4-1. That loss started a Flames streak where they won only 3 times in 13 games. The Flames come into this contest having won 2 out of their last 3, while the Coyotes are free falling having lost 9 out of their last 10. While you may think the Flames have been bad on the road, Arizona has dropped 10 straight road games dating back to January 26th. This SHOULD bode well for a Calgary team that is playing some fairly decent hockey lately and own a 18-14-2 record when nestled inside the Scotiabank Saddledome. Don't look for a goal tending showdown tonight as both teams rank high in goals scored, but also have allowed over 200 goals each. Both teams have been hit hard by the injury bug and the Flames may end up playing short 3 defenceman and down a center in Sam Bennett. Here's how the teams match-up:

The Flames last played on Wednesday night and it was the Johnny Gaudreau show as they beat the Predators 3-2 (OT). He scored 2 goals within 10 seconds of each other to give the Flames an early 1st period lead. That lead held up thanks Joni Ortio’s play through almost 3 full periods, but then the Flames collapsed and gave up two 3rd period goals to send the game to overtime. And who else but Johnny Gaudreau helped end the game early during the 3 on 3. He swooped in down the left side and dished to Mikael Backlund who scored the overtime winner. Here’s the highlights:

The Coyotes last played on Wednesday night as well and dropped a 3-2 (OT) decision to the Vancouver Canucks. Alex Tanguay picked two assists in the loss and Tobias Rieder and Kevin Connauton provided the only 2 goals the Coyotes would score. Here’s the highlights:

Calgary Flames Projected Lineup (these are the projected lines and can be changed any time before the puck drop)

Scratches: Dennis Wideman (susp)

Injuries: Karri Ramo, Ladislav Smid, Deryk Engelland, TJ Brodie, Sam Benentt

Arizona Coyotes Projected Lineup (these are the projected lines and can be changed any time before the puck drop)

Scratches: Jarred Tinordi (susp)

Injuries: Joe Vitale, Mike Smith, Anders Lindback, Oliver Ekman-Larsson

by Mark Parkinson