Preview: Calgary Flames @ Ottawa Senators 1/26/17 (52/82)

The Flames and their 4 game losing streak roll into Ottawa for Calgary’s final game before the All Star Break and no team needs the break more than the Flames. Calgary has dropped 4 straight in spectacular fashion losing by a combined score of 20-7. The Flames have only won 3 times in their last 11 and have seen their all too precarious grip on the 8th and final playoff spot in the West disappear. The Flames need something to go right as the 2017 NHL ASG approaches because going into the break with a potential 5 game losing streak won’t be good for anyone.

The Sens are the exact opposite of the Flames right now. Ottawa had won 4 of their last 5 and have won 6 out of their 10 games this month. Ottawa and their 57 points sit in second place in the East and look like they are on a path to the playoffs. The Senators also have has no issues when playing teams from west of the Mississippi. Ottawa currently holds a 10-5-2 record against teams from the Western Conference and own a 10-5-3 record against the Flames all time in Ottawa.

This is the final regular season game between these two, with the Flames having taken the first contest 5-2 back on October 28th. Here’s how the teams match-up:

What’s Happening With the Opposition?

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 1 Montreal Canadiens 5

Another game, another awful performance by the Calgary Flames. Montreal open it’s doors to the Flames and then blew the doors off the Flames by a count of 5-1. Carey Price stopped 30 of 31 Calgary shots and if not for a meaningless goal by Sam Bennett with 1.1 seconds left on the clock it would have been an easy shut out. Chad Johnson on the other end looked shaky again giving up 5 goals on 20 shots. Here’s our recap, the highlights, Glen Gulutzan’s post game comments (gold) and stats from the contest.

Ottawa Senators 3 Washington Capitals 0

Ottawa hoped back in the win column with a 3-0 blanking of their Eastern Conference rival the Washington Capitals. Mike Condon stopped all 31 shots he faced to get his 14th win on the season. Silver Seven Sens has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

Calgary Flames

Hot: ?

Not: The Flames. All of them.

Ottawa Senators

Hot: Mike Hoffman (F). Hoffman returns to the lineup just in time to feast on the Flames. He’s got 6 points in his last 5 games, lighting the lamp 5 times. Of his 34 points 11 have come at home and he’s a very solid +10 on the ice at Canadian Tire Centre. Hoffman has 3 helpers in his last 3 games against the Flames.

Not: Chris Kelly (C). Kelly has 1 point in his last 5 games and it’s the only point he’s registered the entire month. He’s been on the minus side of the ledger in 2 of his last 5 games and is a -3 overall for the month of January.

by Mark Parkinson