Calgary Flames vs St. Louis Blues Preview 3/14/2016

St. Louis Blues @ Calgary Flames, 9 PM ET, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary Alberta

The Blues make their 2nd trip to the Saddledome to take on the Flames Monday night. The Blues own a 2-0 record against the Flames this season and beat Calgary 4-3 in their only other trip to Alberta back on October 13th. The Flames own a career 44-37-5 record against the Blues at the Saddledome, but it's been tough sledding this decade. The Blues have a 7-5 record against Calgary in the Flames building since the year 2010 with the Flames giving up almost 3 goals per game (2.7) while averaging 1.9 goals for. The Blues come in with 91 points, in good playoff position and they've won 6 in a row and scored 26 goals over that stretch. And while they have owned the Flames this season, it's been close. Both games have been decided by one goal (4-3 and 3-2). While the Blues are streaking towards the post season, the Flames are playing up and down hockey having gone 2-4 over their last 6. During that stretch the Flames have lost by 2 goals or less 4 times. A couple of bounces here or there and that streak has a different look to it. The injury bug has really taken it's toll on the Flames and it looks like they might be without the services of TJ Brodie and Sam Benentt on Monday night. Hard luck starter Joni Ortio will get the start again tonight for the Flames. Here's how the teams match up:

The Flames last played on Saturday night and lost to the Arizona Coyotes 4-1. Mikael Backlund scored the Flames only goal and Joni Ortio kept them in the game until late in the third. The Flames were locked in another 2-1 battle, but Ortio aggressively came out to make a save and the rebound rolled towards the crease where Brad Richardson put in his 8th of the season. Ortio did make 22 saves, but it wasn’t good enough. Here’s the highlights:

St. Louis won their 6th straight on Saturday by besting the Dallas Stars 5-4 in overtime. Kevin Shattenkirk and Vladimir Tarasenko led the Blues with 2 points each. Jake Allen stopped 34 of 38 shots to earn his 24th win on the season. Here’s the highlights:

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

Scratches: None

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

St. Louis Blues Projected Lineup (these are the projected lines and can be changed any time before the puck drop)

Scratches:

Injuries: Steve Ott, Alex Steen, Brian Elliott

by Mark Parkinson