Preview: Calgary Flames @ Minnesota Wild, 12/15/18 (33/82): No Love Loss Here

Calgary Flames @ Minnesota Wild, 11:30 AM MT, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul MN

TV: SNW

Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 20-10-2 (42 pts) – Minnesota Wild 17-12-2 (36)

NHL Standings

The Flames are in Minnesota for a late morning tilt with the Wild on Saturday. This game has the potential to be very interesting on many levels. Calgary defeated Minnesota on December 6th by the score of 2-0, but the score wasn’t the most interesting part of the game. Mark Giordano recieved a 2 game suspension for a “knee on knee” hit on Mikko Koivu and Matt Dumba leveled Mikael Backlund with a high, cheap hit that has sidelined Backlund since. We’re not saying this will be a dirty game, but expect some physical play for sure as these two team try and keep winning streaks going.

Calgary got back in the win column with a 6-5 victory over Philadelphia Wednesday night, but it was costly. In the win the Flames lost Mike Smith to an injury, which is a shame because he had been playing so well, including getting the win in Calgary’s shut out of Minnesota on the 6th. Minnesota meanwhile is coming into this contest on a 2 game winning streak and they’ve been scoring. In beating Florida and Montreal the Wild have outscored their opponents 12-2 over their last 2 games.

Calgary has taken care of business when it comes to the Wild, winning 6 out of the last 10 times they have played and are 3-2-0 in their last 5 trips to Minnesota. Calgary’s potent offence will have it’s work cut out for them as the Wild have only allowed 88 goals on the season and they’ll need to be careful when it comes to special teams. The Wild PK is 2nd in the league and their PP is 7th overall, so it would be wise to stay out of the box today.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 9-3-1, 2.31 GAA, .921 Save%

Wild: Dubnyk (E)- 12-9-2, 2.65 GAA, .912 Save%

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Minnesota Wild Coverage: Hockey Wilderness

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 6 Philadelphia Flyers 5

Minnesota Wild 5 Florida Panthers 1

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Matthew Tkachuk (F): 13G – 24A, 8 points in last 5 games

Minnesota Wild

Nino Niederreiter (F): 7G – 11A, 5 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson