Preseason 4/7: Flames vs Coyotes

The Calgary Flames will continue their 2017-18 preseason tonight with a home game against the Arizona Coyotes. Calgary enters the game coming off a 5-3 loss to Vancouver and sit at 0-3 so far this preseason. The Coyotes meanwhile are 1-0 as they won 5-1 in Anaheim on Wednesday.

Mike Smith will be playing his first game against his former team after the Coyotes traded him to Calgary this summer. Smith will be looking to bounce back from a rough opener against Edmonton where he allowed 4 goals on 13 shots. He’ll likely be sharing the net tonight with David Rittich as the Czech backs him up.

The Flames will have a mix of regulars and others tonight while the Coyotes send a young group from Arizona.

Flames Lineup

Forwards

Johnny Gaudreau - Sam Bennett - Micheal Ferland

Hunter Shinkaruk - Mark Jankowski - Troy Brouwer

Morgan Klimchuk - Freddie Hamilton - Garnet Hathaway

Tanner Glass - Matt Stajan - Curtis Lazar

Defence

Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton

T.J. Brodie - Travis Hamonic

Tyler Wotherspoon - Rasmus Andersson

Goalies

Mike Smith

David Rittich

Players to Watch

1. Sam Bennett: He hasn’t played a home game yet this pre-season and I’m excited to see alongside the Flames top line wingers. Also very excited to see his beard make its home ice debut
2. Mark Jankowski: He’s scored in each of his first two preseason contests and is doing a lot to keep himself around for the start of the season. Tonight is another challenge for the 2012 1st round pick.
3. Mike Smith: He’ll have something to prove tonight to his old team, as well as his new team as he looks to improve on a dismal opening game.

Puck drop from the Scotiabank Saddledome is at 7:00pm MT.