Calgary Flames @ Arizona Coyotes, 1 PM MT, Gila River Arena, Glendale AZ

TV: SN

Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 13-9-1 (27 pts) - Arizona Coyotes 9-10-2 (20 pts)

NHL Standings

Calgary’s mini road trip through the Southwest United States wraps up today with a stop in Glendale Arizona for an afternoon tilt with the Coyoytes. Calgary comes into this contest in second place in the Pacific and they certainly will be looking for a much better erformance than they had in Vegas. Calgary was sleep walking through their second game of the season against the Golden Knights Friday afternoon and lost 2-0, despite another lights out performance by David Rittich. The loss stopped Calgary’s winning streak at 3 and if they’re going to get back in the win column today should be the day to do it.

Arizona started off the season horrific, losing 5 of their first 7 games before turning it around in late October. The ‘Yotes reeled of 5 straight victories to climb back into the Pacific Division race, but it’s all gone right back into the tank as of late. Arizona has dropped 7 of their last 9 games, giving up 4 or more goals five times over that span.

What will happen today at Gila River Arena? The Flames are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games in Arizona and you’d think Mike Smith would get the start against his former team. He was 1-1-0 in his two starts against the Coyotes last season giving up 3 goals and registering a shutout. But that was the Mike Smith of days gone by. The Mike Smith of this season is a hot mess and maybe some time between the pipes against a struggling Arizona team could be just what the veteran keeper needs.

Starting Goalies (C=Confirmed, E=Expected)

Flames: Smith (E)- 5-7-1, 3.48 GAA, .876 Save %

Coyotes: Kuemper (E)- 4-5-2, 2.71, .914 Save%

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Arizona Coyotes Coverage: Five For Howling

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 0 Vegas Golden Knights 2

Arizona Coyotes 1 Colorado Avalanche 5

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Gaudreau: 8G 18A, 7 points in last 5 games

Arizona Coyotes

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Dylan Strome: 3G 3A, 3 points in last 5 games