Preview: Calgary Flames vs Florida Panthers 1/11/19 (46/82): Flames Looking For 4th Win In A Row

Calgary Flames vs Florida Panthers, 7:00 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: SNW

Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 28-13-4 (60) – Florida Panthers 17-17-8 (40)

NHL Standings

The Flames second game of a nice, long five game home stand sees the Florida Panthers make their only visit of the year to the Saddledome on Friday night. Calgary has won three in a row, the last a 5-3 dispatching of the Colorado Avalanache even though the Flames were out-shot 35-16. Calgary hasn’t had any issues scoring and they’ve solidified their goalkeeper position with David Rittich. “Big Save Dave” is 9-2-2 in his last 13 starts and has only given up four or more goals four times in those 13 games. To say he’s been a major reason for the the Flames success is an understatement.

The other end of the Flames success is due to their offence. Calgary has scored 162 goals on the season, good for second overall in the NHL. They also lead the league in third period goals with 67 and have scored 14 short-handed goals which is also tops in the league. The Flames have four 50 point scorers (Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Tkachuk) in the Top 20 as well, the only team in the NHL to do so.

The Panthers aren’t having the same type of success. Their 17-17-8 record is good for 11th place in the Eastern Conference, which is a distant 6th place in the Wild Card race. The Panthers goal differential on the season is -17 and their 132 goals scored puts them 15th in the league. Where the Panthers have excelled is on the PP. Their 26.7% power play is good for 4th overall and they’ve scored 40 PPG on the season, third most in the league.

Add all that up and it doesn’t mean much. The Swamp Kitties are currently mired in a four game losing streak, which is the 4th time that has happened this season. The Flames are 7-3-0 the last 10 times these two have played and are 3-2-0 in their last five against Florida at the Saddledome.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 16-4-3, 2.42 GAA, .921 Save%

Panthers: Reimer (E)- 8-7-4, 3.18, .896 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (26), Points- Gaudreau (66), PIM- Bennett (70), Save%- Rittich (.921)

Panthers: Goals- Hoffman (20), Points- Huberdeau (46), PIM- Weegar (46), Save%- Reimer (.896)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Florida Panthers Coverage: Litter Box Cats

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 5 – Colorado Avalanche 3

Florida Panthers 3 – Edmonton Oilers 4 (SO)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Mark Giordano (D)- 6G – 37A, 6 assists in last 5 games

Florida Panthers

Aleksander Barkov (C)- 17G – 26A, 4 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson