Preview: Calgary Flames @ St. Louis Blues 3/25/17 (75 of 82)

If the Flames were going to pick a time to go on a losing skid, now would not have been the time. Calgary has dropped 2 straight to open their 3 game road trip and find themselves only 1 point ahead of both Nashville and St. Louis in the WC race. Calgary reeled off 10 straight before finally being derailed and have lost 2 of their last 4 since falling to the Bruins. It’s not time to panic as the Flames have shown they can play dominant hockey and get the job done, but tonight would be a good time to play that style of hockey. Letting St. Louis back into the WC race with a loss tonight won’t help the Flames’ playoff push. After tonight’s tilt Calgary only has 7 games left with their opponents being: LA, Anaheim, San Jose and Colorado.

On the other side of the coin are the Blues. If you’re barely on the outside looking in, now is the time to get hot. St. Louis has won 9 out of their last 10 and has come roaring back into the Western Conference playoff picture. Over that 10 game span the Blues have pitched two shutouts and only given up more than 2 goals twice. Brian Elliott’s replacement Jake Allen is 7-1-0 in those 10 games for the Blues.

Calgary and St. Louis have split the season series so far 1-1-0. Calgary took the last meeting 4-1, as Brian Elliott had the chance to defeat his former team in their arena. St. Louis took the previous game 6-4. Both star goalies have each won in this series and both were on the road. The Flames will also get a boost in energy and offence as Matthew Tkachuk returns from his 2 game suspension.

Here’s how the teams match-up:

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 1 Nashville Predators 3

The Flames last took to the ice on Thursday night in a listless, mediocre effort performance against the Predators. Chad Johnson got the start and gave up 3 goals on 17 shots and the Flames couldn’t find the back of the net thanks to Pekka Rinne’s 24 saves. Here’s our recap and the highlights.

St. Louis Blues 4 Vancouver Canucks 1

The Blues opened up a 3 game home stand by downing the Vancouver Canucks 4-1. Jake Allen stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced, earning him his third straight victory. Here’s the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

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Brian Elliott (G). Elliott should get the start against his former team as the Flames need him to right the ship. Elliott is 11-1-0 in his last 12 and has stepped up to become the Flames top goalie. In his only start against the Blues this season Elliott got the win, stopping 23 of 24 shots.

St. Louis Blues

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Magnus Paajarvi (F). The Swedish forward has only 11 points (8G 3A) on the season, but 4 of those have come in his last 5 games. He’s played most of his season in the AHL with Chicago, but has made the most of his recent call up with the Blues. He was not with the Blues when they played the Flames either time so far this season.