Preview: Calgary Flames @ Dallas Stars 12/18/18 (35/82): Flames Roll Into Dallas On 3 Game Win Streak

Calgary Flames @ Dallas Stars, 6:30 PM MT, American Airlines Center, Dallas TX

TV: SNW

Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 22-10-2 (46 pts) – Dallas Stars 16-14-3 (35 pts)

NHL Standings

The Flames third game of a four game road trip sees them pulling into Dallas to take on the Stars Tuesday night. The Flames are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now, having won 12 of their last 15, including three in a row. The Flames have have had no issues playing any style their opponents throw at them. Need to grind out a win? No problem, beat Minnesota 2-1. Need to score a million goals? No problem, beat St. Louis 7-2. Need a comeback? Sure, take down Philly 6-5 in OT.

The Flames are getting it done on many levels and they are getting help from up and down the lineup. Alan Quine had a 2 goal game against St. Louis. Rasmus Andersson had a key goal to get the Flames within one against the Flyers. Derek Ryan’s persistence and puck battles got the Flames a goal against the Blues. Yes, the superstars (Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm and Giordano) are doing the heavy lifting, but teams that are built to go places in the spring get contributions from their entire lineup and that’s what the Flames are getting right now.

Dallas….not so much. The Stars are free falling in the Western Conference and are currently mired in a 4 game losing skid. Dallas has lost 8 of their last 13, landing them in 5th place in the Central and in 11th place overall in the West. Dallas’ troubles start with their inability to put the puck in the net, but they are fairly efficient keeping pucks out of their own net. The Stars are 22nd in the NHL, only allowing 93 goals on the season, but their offence is 24th in the league with a meek 92 GF.

The Stars took the first meeting between these two teams back on November 28th by way of a 4-3 OTW. Dallas always plays the Flames tough so the above stats are all well and good, but they can mean nothing when it comes to lining up and playing this team. Calgary has lost 4 straight against the Stars and haven’t won in Dallas since 2017.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 11-3-1, 2.21 GAA, .925 Save%

Stars: Bishop (E)- 10-8-1, 2.45 GAA, .920 Save%

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Dallas Stars Coverage: Defending Big D

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 7 – St. Louis Blues 2

Dallas Stars 4 – Colorado Avalanche 6

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Alan Quine (C): 3G – 1A, 4 points in last 5 games

Dallas Stars

Miro Heiskanen (D): 7G – 10A, 5 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson