Preview: Calgary Flames @ Colorado Avalance 10/13/18 (5/82): Flames Visit The MacKinnon & Rantanen Show

Calgary Flames @ Colorado Avalanche, 8 PM MT, Pepsi Center, Denver CO

Calgary Flames 2-2-0 (4 points) – Colorado Avalanche 3-1-0 (6 points)

NHL Standings

The Flames will conclude their 3 game road trip with a stop in Colorado to battle the Avalanche. The Flames come into this contest having just had a 2 game winning streak snapped at the hands of the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night. Calgary will make a goalie switch tonight with David Rittich getting the start over veteran Mike Smith. Smith has been “so-so” on the young season and there’s some hope that a night off and Rittich in net will spark the Flames. While some of the Flames early season struggles can be pinned on the veteran netminder, the team as a whole has let him down at times as well.

Calgary’s power play has been a high and a low spot all in one this season. Opening night they went 0-7, but they had a very successful 3-6 against the Canucks the following night. The pattern right now seems to be one good night, one bad night and the Flames need to correct that and make it a little more even across the board if they are going to have any success.

The Avalanche come into this contest as one of the league’s pleasant surprises to start the season. The Av’s haven’t had much success over the last few years, but their 3-1-0 start has energized the fan base and given them something to believe in. Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon have started the season off as if they were shot out of a cannon. The two have combined for 13 total points, with MacKinnon collecting 5 goals along the way. As if those 2 players aren’t a daunting enough challenge, the Avalanche have only allowed 1 PPG in 19 short handed opportunities, killing penalties at a rate of 94.7%.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Colorado Avalanche Coverage: Mile High Hockey

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 St. Louis Blues 5 (Recap)

Colorado Avalanche 6 Buffalo Sabres 1 (Recap)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames: Dillon Dube (F/C)

Dube has been playing well since getting the news that he was making the roster out of training camp. It seems each game he’s poised to breakout, but he hasn’t had any luck. He positions himself well on the ice and hasn’t made any glaring mistakes in his first 4 NHL games, so it feels like the points should start to show up. He picked up his first NHL point by way of an assist on Thursday against the Blues.

Colorado Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon (C)

The Flames have faced quite the mix of snipers to start the season, but MacKinnon and the Av’s may be their toughest challenge yet. MacKinnon has scored a goal in every game this season so far, including a 2 goal outburst against the Sabres Thursday night. The Halifax native had 4 points in 3 games against the Flames last season.

by Mark Parkinson