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Preview: Calgary Flames vs Washington Capitals 10/29/17 (12/82): The Caps Are Struggling.

The struggling Capitals come to Dome to take on an equally struggling Flames team.

NHL: Washington Capitals at Calgary Flames Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Calgary Flames vs Washington Capitals, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

Where To Watch & Listen

BroadcastSchedule
BroadcastSchedule
TV: SN360
Radio: Sportsnet 960

Who likes their hockey .500 or worse? If you do, then the Flames and Capitals is your contest! The Flames second game of a seven game home stand sees the Washington Capitals come to town for a Sunday night tilt. The Flames have dropped 5 out of their last 7 and what was a dominating PK unit has fallen towards the bottom of the league. Calgary’s offence has also fallen off the table. The Flames haven’t scored more than 3 goals since a 5-2 win over the Canucks back on October 14th. In their last 5 losses the anemic offence has only generated 6 goals. There’s gotta be a bright side no? Yes.

The Capitals come into town with just as a bad of a record as the Flames and if Philipp Grubauer does get the start in net, the Flames could have a chance to break out of their goal scoring funk. Grubauer hasn’t won a game yet this season and in his last 3 games his GA totals are: 3,8 and 4. So if there was a time to jump start the offence, this is it. HOWEVER, Washington’s PP is Top 10 in the league and it won’t make life easy on Calgary’s struggling man down units. But let’s face it, when you think Washington, you think Alex Ovechkin. Ovi has been on a tear this season, leading the Caps in goals (10) and points (15).

On on paper this matchup looks even, but the Flames haven’t enjoyed the Capitals company as of late. In Calgary’s last 10 games against Washington they are a dismal 3-7-0. BUCKLE UP!

Tale Of The Tape

Calgary Flames Stats Washington Capitals
Calgary Flames Stats Washington Capitals
5-6-0 Record 5-5-1
10 Points 11
5th Pacific Division 6th Metropolitan
13th West Conference 9th East
1-4-0 Last 5 1-3-1
25 Goals For 34
32 Goals Against 39
Monahan (5) Goals Ovechkin (10)
Gaudreau (13) Points Ovechkin (15)
Tkachuk (14) PIM Wilson (34)
Smith (.927) Save% Holtby (.919)
15.0 (21st) PP% 22.9 (8th)
76.6 (27th) PK% 75.5 (28th)
0-2-0 2016-17 VS 2-0-0
43-37-13 Overall VS 37-43-13

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Player Record GAA Save%
Player Record GAA Save%
Flames: Smith (E) 5-5-0 2.44 .927
Capitals: Grubauer (E) 0-2-1 4.68 .850

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 1 Dallas Stars 2

Once again the Flames came out and couldn’t find the back of the net. Kari Lehtonen had been garbage in his 4 previous games this season, but the Flames managed to turn him into an All Star. The Stars backstop turned away 29 of the 30 shots he faced. Here’s our recap and the highlights from NHL.com.

Washington Capitals 5 Edmonton Oilers 2

Washington last took to the ice on Saturday night and demolished the Edmonton Oilers 5-2. The win snapped Washington’s 2 game losing streak. Jaspers’ Rink has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

NHL: Minnesota Wild at Calgary Flames Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Gaudreau (F). Gaudreau isn’t putting the puck in the net as much as Flames fans would like, but he’s piling up helpers. Gaudreau leads the Flames in points with 13 (3G 10A) and he’s got on the score sheet in 4 of the Flames last 5 games. He has 3 points in his last 4 meetings with Washington.

Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals v New Jersey Devils Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Alex Ovechkin (F). Ovi has showed no signs of cooling off as the star forward has 5 points in his last 3 games. He got three helpers in the Caps 5-2 victory over the Oilers on Saturday night. The 3 assists gave him 15 points on the season.