Calgary Flames vs Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

Calgary Flames 5-4-0 (10 points) - Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1-2 (10 points)

NHL Standings

The Flames welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Saddledome as they begin a brief (what’s the deal with these) homestand with the winners of two of the last three Stanley Cup Championships. So yeah, no big deal.

The Flames have taken their lumps in some games against the league’s elite this season, but they’ve also held their ground at times as well. Calgary has dispatched Colorado, Boston, Nashville and the surprising Canucks, but their play has been very inconsistent and that starts in the defensive end. Between the Flames blue line and their goaltending nothing has been a guarantee unless your last name is Giordano. Every other Flames defender has struggled on the young season and Calgary’s #1 in the pipes has been a symbol of the Calgary’s inconsistencies. Mike Smith has been the epitome of Jekyll & Hyde. One night he’s on, one night he’s off and there’s been no no in between. David Rittich has been extremely solid in limited action, but the team has been weak in front of him.

Where the Flames need to really get it together is on the PP. The Flames started the season 5-11 and everything looked like it was taking a turn for the better. Pump the brakes. The Flames are a 2017-18’esque 1 for their last 21 with the man advantage. A new coaching staff was supposed to clean that up and it hasn’t happened and it desperately needs to change.

Speaking of teams looking for an identity, it’s the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens have been up and down as well this season, with their last 4 games being a prime example. Pittsburgh took down Edmonton on Tuesday for their second straight win, which followed right on the heels of a 2 game losing skid. Pittsburgh has played 4 games beyond regulation, splitting the 4 and they’ve struggled to keep the puck out of the net. In 7 games they’ve allowed 3 or more goals 4 times, including two 5’s and a 6 spot hung on them.

The Flames do hold an advantage coming into this game in the form of a winning streak at home against the Penguins. Calgary has won 3 straight at the Saddledome, including a 2-1 OT thriller last season. Overall the Flames are 30-16-8 at home when the Pens visit the Dome.

Team Leaders

Calgary Flames

Goals: Lindholm (6), Points: Gaudreau (12), PIM: Tkachuk (10), Save%: Rittich (.950)

Pittsburgh Penguins

Goals: Kessel (4), Points: Malkin (13), PIM: Hagelin (8), Save%: DeSmith (.922)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Pittsburgh Penguins Coverage: Pensburgh

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 2 Montreal Canadiens 3 (recap)

Pittsburgh Penguins 6 Edmonton Oilers OT (recap)