Preview: Calgary Flames vs Carolina Hurricanes 10/18/17 (7/82): It’s Been Rough For Carolina In Calgary

Calgary Flames vs Carolina Hurricanes, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

A well rested Flames team welcomes the Hartford Whalers Carolina Hurricanes to the Saddledome for their only regular season visit in 2017-18. Calgary comes in having last played on Saturday, defeating the Canucks 5-2. It was good to see the Flames put some goals on the board, but more concerning was the amount of penalties the Flames are taking. Calgary found the penalty box 5 times in the first period and 9 times overall in the contest. Calgary sits at 6th in the NHL with 79 PIM on the young season. The good: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Dougie Hamilton found the score sheet multiple times and Jaromir Jagr registered his first point as a member of the Flames.

The Hurricanes are in the middle of a 4 game road trip that has seen them lose to the Jets, but defeat the Edmonton Oilers. The Hurricanes have dropped 4 of the last 5 games they have played in Calgary and a Flames team that seemed to be clicking on all cylinders against Vancouver and hasn’t played in 4 days will look to make it difficult for the Hurricanes tonight. The Hurricanes haven’t been a juggernaut in the East lately. The last time they cracked the 40 win barrier was in 2010-11 and they haven’t seen the NHL playoffs in 9 years when they were swept out of the Conference Finals by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 5 Vancouver Canucks 2

The Flames last played on Saturday night and dispatched the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. The Flames spread the wealth with 5 different players scoring and Johnny Gaudreau, Dougie Hamilton and Sean Monahan all having multiple point nights. Here’s our recap and highlights from NHL.com.

Carolina Hurricanes 5 Edmonton Oilers 3

The Hurricanes last laced ‘em up on Tuesday and easily handled the Edmonton Oilers 5-3. Jordan Staal exploded with a 4 point night (1G 3A) and Carolina got some solid play in the crease as Cam Ward stopped 48 of the 51(!) shots he faced to get the ‘Canes the win. Canes Country has the recap and NHL.com has the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Johnny Gaudreau (F). Johnny Gaudreau is starting to heat up for the Flames. The star winger leads the team in points with 9 and has points in four of their 6 games. In 2 games against Carolina last year Gaudreau had 3 goals and 1 assist.

Carolina Hurricanes

Jordan Staal (C). Staal was held pointless until he exploded against the Oilers, getting a goal and 3 assists in the contest. Staal has struggled against the Flames lately. In their last six meetings, Staal has produced only 2 assists.

by Mark Parkinson