Live Chat: Flames Visit Phoenix

The Flames have finally broken their losing streak, and in a big way, scoring four goals against the Avalanche. The team’s identity this year has been that of a hard working group that never gives up, and while they may have stumbled from that identity as of late, yesterday’s effort was a step in the right direction. They’ll work to keep the good feelings going against the Coyotes tonight.

New Olympian Reto Berra gets the start on the second half of this back-to-back. The only other lineup change for the Flames is Derek Smith in place of Shane O’Brien. Watch out for the snubbed Jiri Hudler, who had a big night last game, as well as Mike Cammalleri as he looks to work out of his funk. Maybe Olympian Mark Giordano will likely pick up the bulk of the minutes on the backend, but be sure to watch out for TJ Brodie and Also-New Olympian Ladislav Smid to play a lot as well. Dennis Wideman rounds out the top four in his third game back from injury.

The Flames will not be seeing New Olympian Mike Smith tonight, instead facing Thomas Greiss. Calgary scored four goals on Griess the last time the two teams met up. This will be Shane Doan’s second game back after missing a month with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. He had no points in 18:38 of ice time in his return against the Flyers. Out with injuries are defencemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and New Olympian Zbynek Michalek. Watch out for Olympic snubs Keith Yandle and Radim Vrbata: Yandle has two goals and four assists in his past five games; and while Vrbata’s had no points in his last two, he’s had 11 shots on net.

Projected starting lineups

Flames

Forwards

Mike Cammalleri – Mikael Backlund – Jiri Hudler

Paul Byron – Sean Monahan – Lee Stempniak

Lance Bouma – Matt Stajan – Brian McGrattan

TJ Galiardi – Joe Colborne – Kevin Westgarth

Defencemen

TJ Brodie – Mark Giordano

Ladislav Smid – Dennis Wideman

Chris Butler – Derek Smith

Goalies

Reto Berra – Karri Ramo

Coyotes

Forwards

Lauri Korpikoski – Martin Hanzal – Radim Vrbata

Rob Klinkhammer – Antoine Vermette – Mikkel Boedker

Shane Doan – Mike Ribeiro – David Moss

Kyle Chipchura – Jeff Halpern – Paul Bissonnette

Defencemen

Keith Yandle – Connor Murphy

Derek Morris – David Schlemko

Michael Stone – Rostislav Klesla

Goalies

Thomas Greiss – Mike Smith

For the other side's perspective, check out Five For Howling. And when the puck drops, stick around here for the gamethread, and the recap shortly after the game!

by Ari Yanover