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| Calgary Flames @ Anaheim, 8:30 PM MT, Honda Center, Anaheim, CA |
|---|
| Broadcast Schedule |
| TV: NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports |
| Radio: Sportsnet 960 |
The Flames roll into Game 2 finding themselves in a 1-0 hole after losing to the Ducks 3-2 Thursday night. Calgary’s losing streak at Honda Center has now reached 28 games and the Flames need to win tonight to keep themselves in this series. One major key for the Flames is to stay out of the penalty box. Calgary took 7 minor penalties in Game 1 and allowed Anaheim to score 2 power play goals. The Flames also need to capitalize on their own man up situations as well. Sean Monahan had a PPG for Calgary, but the Flames also failed to score on a 5 on 3 with less than 2 minutes in the game. Brian Elliott did his job at his end of the rink, stopping 38 of the 41 shots that came his way, some in spectacular fashion.
Bottom line: the Flames need to stay out of the box and start capitalizing on Anaheim mistakes because they almost need to play a flawless game to steal one at Honda Center.
Here’s our recap of Game 1 and the highlights from NHL.com
Projected Lines
| Calgary Flames |
|---|
| Forwards |
| Johnny Gaudreau-Sean Monahan-Micheal Ferland |
| Michael Frolik-Mikael Backlund-Matthew Tkachuk |
| Kris Versteeg-Sam Bennett-Alex Chiasson |
| Troy Brouwer-Matt Stajan-Lance Bouma |
| Defence |
| Mark Giordano-Dougie Hamilton |
| T.J. Brodie-Michael Stone |
| Matt Bartkowski-Deryk Engelland |
| Goalies |
| Brian Elliott (S) |
| Chad Johnson |
| Anaheim Ducks |
|---|
| Forwards |
| Rickard Rakell-Ryan Getzlaf-Patrick Eaves |
| Andrew Cogliano-Ryan Kesler-Jakob Silfverberg |
| Ondrej-Antoine Vermette-Corey Perry |
| Chris Wagner-Nate Thompson-Logan Shaw |
| Defence |
| Sami Vatanen-Josh Manson |
| Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Montour |
| Shea Theadore-Kevin Bieksa |
| Goalies |
| John Gibson (S) |
| Jonathan Bernier |
Players To Watch
Calgary Flames
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Sean Monahan (C). Monahan put the Flames on the board and tied the game at 1 with a PPG, his 4th career post season goal. Monahan also had multiple scoring chances throughout the game, putting 3 shots on goal. Where Monahan needs to get better is at the face off dot. Monahan took 18 face offs in Game 1 and came away with only 6 wins.
Anaheim Ducks
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Ryan Getzlaf (C). If the Flames want to win Game 2, they’ll need to slow down Ryan Getzlaf. He had a goal and an assist, but where he hurt the Flames mostly was at the face off dot. Getzlaf won 12 of the 20 he took and on his own almost killed off Calgary’s 5 on 3 in the last 2 minutes of the game.
Flames Keys To Victory
-Less time in the penalty box: Calgary had 7 penalties leading to 2 Anaheim PPG.
-Get those rebounds: Gibson looked like he was fighting the puck early and giving up big rebounds. The Flames missed many opportunities to put the puck in the net and Gibson settled in.
PP Opportunities: the Flames had 5 PP chances and netted one goal. The most disheartening was the 5 on 3 where they got nothing accomplished. When the Ducks give you chances like that you must make them pay.
Conclusion: The Flames need to pounce on any and all Anaheim mistakes. Calgary played a solid physical and speed game in Game 1, but mental mistakes cost the Flames. If the Flames can eliminate some of those errors and play like they did early in Game 1 they should have a chance to win.