Preview: Calgary Flames vs Chicago Blackhawks 12/31/19 (41/82): New Year’s Eve Games Suit The Flames

Calgary Flames vs Chicago Blackhawks, 7:00 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: SNW – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 20-16-5 (45 pts) – Chicago Blackhawks 17-17-6 (40 pts)

NHL Standings

The Flames will close out 2019 with game two of a three game home stand against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday night. The Flames are in kind of a weird spot where they win one, then lose one. The Flames haven’t put together back to back wins December 10 & 12, just before their seven game winning streak was snapped. Since then the Flames have gone 2-4-1, but because of a sub par Pacific Division, Calgary is only two points out of second place.

The Blackhawks are the exact opposite of the Flames currently. Chicago has won four out of their last five, including two in a row. Prior to this run the ‘Hawks had dropped five out of six and their season wasn’t looking so hot. They’e authored this slight turn around with a barrage of goal scoring in their victories, lighting the lamp 17 times to their opponents 8.

Despite this run of good fortune the Blackhawks will need a miracle to see playoff hockey. Chicago sits in the 7th place, dead last in the Central with 40 points. They are currently 18 points behind front running St. Louis and are currently 6th in the Wild Card race.

The Flames have handled the Blackhawks fairly well at the Saddledome, going 46-38-13 over the years. Calgary has also won four out of the last six times Chicago has come to visit, including two in a row. Calgary is also 4-1-0 the last five times the puck has been dropped on New Year’s Eve, including a 4-3 OT victory over Chicago in 2017-18.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 17-9-5, 2.73 GAA, .914 Save%

Blackhawks: Crawford (E)- 6-11-2, 3.20 GAA, .905 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals: Lindholm (16) Points: Tkachuk (35) PIM: Lucic (34) Save%: Rittich (.914)

Blackhawks: Goals: Kane (20) Points: Kane (47) PIM: Gilbert (38) Save%: Lehner (.926)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Chicago Blackhawks Coverage: Second City Hockey

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 2 – Vancouver Canucks 5

Chicago Blackhawks 3 – Columbus Blue Jackets 2 (SO)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Andrew Mangiapane (F): 5 points in last 5 games

Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane (F): 7 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson