Who you gonna call?: Flames vs Detroit Red Wings preview (7/82)

Detroit Red Wings @ Calgary Flames – 7pm MT

There is something not quite right about this year's Calgary Flames. It's almost like they've all seen a ghost. Well, Detroit native Ray Parker Jr has the answer.

Yeah, okay, maybe not. But the Flames sure could use a white knight or two. These guys do a good clean-up job too. The defence may take lessons.

Tonight’s opponents are the newly-Babcockless Detroit Red Wings. After a 3-0 start, they are 0-3 in their last three games, including a home loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and their most recent defeat in Edmonton. Two losing streaks, one has to give. Do the Flames stand a chance? Why not?

Don't I know you?

Jiri Hudler played the majority of his hockey in Hockeytown.

ICYMI

Washington Capitals 6-2 Calgary Flames

Game recap – Triple whammy stats recap (includes Winnipeg and Edmonton)

Yeah, this wasn't good. But, at least management have acknowledged this and have acted on it.

Projected lines

• Things have finally snapped. Karri Ramo was placed on, and has cleared, waivers, and is now in Stockton. Jonas Hiller gets the start tonight, with Joni Ortio backing him up.
• Who’s ready for a Lad Party?!
• 
  

  #Flames Head Coach Bob Hartley tells @Fan960Lou and me defenceman Ladislav Smid will play first game since January 19 tonight. #CGYvsDET

  — Derek Wills (@Fan960Wills) October 23, 2015

• Brett Kulak has gone to Stockton and Jakub Nakladal has come up in his place. He won’t play tonight though – that honour goes to the aforementioned Smid.
• After splitting the top line up for one game, they’re back together again. The Bennett/Backlund experiement is also over, with Samuel centring the third line.
• There’s no room for Brandon Bollig in the latest reshuffle, as Mason Raymond slots into the fourth line. Welcome to the party, Top Six Forward Micheal Ferland.

Milestones

The Wings' Brendan Smith plays his 200th NHL game. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk both need two goals for 300. David Jones is still four away from 100. Zetterberg needs three assists for 500, and five more points for 800, with Sean Monahan needing one point for 100.

Other games tonight

Join us in the gamethread, where we'll probably be listening to better music choices.

by Liam McCausland