Preview: Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes 11/16/16 (18/82)

Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes, 8 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

The Flames are in the midst of a 16 game gauntlet in the month of November as they find themselves in the first back to back of that stretch. The Arizona Coyotes will visit the Saddledome on Wednesday night as the Flames return home after a quick trip to Minnesota. Both of these teams are in the bottom of the Western Conference, but there is hope for the Flames as a mere 4 points separates them from the middle of the pack. This the first of 5 games the two teams will play during the regular season. The Flames and Coyotes did meet in the preseason with Calgary taking home a win 2-1 in a shoot out.

Calgary was finally able to get back into the win column with a stellar performance in Minnesota as they beat the Wild 1-0. That win snapped a 4 game skid for the Flames, who also found themselves an abysmal 1-6 in their last 7 before the win. Calgary has an interesting decision to make as to who will be between the pipes tonight. Chad Johnson was lights out in the Flames 1-0 win in Minnesota, but will Glen Gulutzan give him back to back starts? Johnson has been the steady hand and it would make sense for the Flames to keep riding the hot hand as Johnson has been the Flames best goaltender this season. Also keep an eye on Flames star forward Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau left the game against the Wild in the 3rd period and did not return and there was no update on his condition after the game.

The Coyotes find themselves all alone in the Western Conference basement with 10 points. Arizona had a dreadful September as they dropped 6 out of their first 8, but are an even 3-3 in the month of November. They have currently lost 2 in a row and will look to get 2 valuable points in tonight’s contest. Arizona doesn’t exactly find the Saddledome as a comforting place to play. The ‘Yotes are 35-57-9 all time at the Dome, but they did sweep both games they played in Calgary last season.

Here’s how the teams match-up:

Calgary Flames 1 Minnesota Wild 0

The Flames last played on Tuesday night and earned a hard fought victory over the Minnesota Wild, 1-0. Chad Johnson stopped all 27 shots he faced and Johnny Gaudreau got the Flames only marker on the power play in the first period. Here’s our recap, the highlights, Johnson’s post game comments and stats from the contest.

Arizona Coyotes 1 Boston Bruins 2

The Arizona Coyotes welcomed the Boston Bruins to their home ice on Saturday night and lost 2-1. Radim Vrbata scored his 6th of the season and Louis Domingue stopped 27 of 29 shots he faced, but it wasn’t enough to take down the Bruins. Five For Howling has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players to Watch

Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images

Calgary Flames: Mikael Backlund (C). Backlund has been held pointless in his last 5 games and only has 1 goal on the season, but he’s doing the little things lately that don’t show up in the score sheet. Backlund has added some grit to his game as of late by getting his hands dirty in the crease and protecting his teammates in any scrums when he’s on the ice. Backlund skated very well and moved the puck better than he has this month against Minnesota on Tuesday night. He has an impressive 7 points so far on the season (6 are assists) and he’s looking like he’s ready to break out lately. In 5 games last season Backlund had 1 point, a goal, in a 4-1 loss to Arizona.

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Arizona Coyotes: Max Domi (C). Domi has been hot this November with 5 points in 6 games and he’s even better when playing on the road. The Winnipeg native has 7 points in 8 games, is a +1 and has logged 11 PIM away from Gila River Arena. In his rookie season last year, Domi had 3 assists in 5 games against the Flames.