Calgary Flames at Columbus Blue Jackets [Game 28]

The first place Calgary Flames hit the road as they take on the second place Columbus Blue Jackets in a quality inter-conference, Tuesday night matchup. Both teams are 6-3-1 in their last ten games. The Blue Jackets have two fewer points with one fewer game played. The two teams are very closely matched and it should be a good one in Ohio.

Ryan Lomberg is headed back to the bench tonight in favour of Austin Czarnik. Lomberg didn’t play much in his few games, but he had a huge impact when he was on the ice. Unfortunately, that impact was a huge net negative – Czarnik had a -16.87% relative Corsi in five-on-five play making him the only Flames player with a relative Corsi worse than ten percent. He is not an NHL player folks.

On defense, Dalton Prout is getting the nod over Oliver Kylington as the Flames face his former team. Prout’s numbers in his one game this season weren’t terrible. Regardless, this is probably just one start unless he does something miraculous.

David Rittich is back in net for the Flames and Mike Smith will serve as the backup. Smith played quite well in two of his last three games (he was mediocre against the Los Angeles Kings, but barely tested) and improved his delta save percentage quite a bit, but Rittich’s numbers are far superior. Still, the Smith’s performance has some saying that the Flames should go back to him as a starter (they shouldn’t – Rittich has better numbers over the past two seasons).

Puck drop is at 5:00 P.M. M.S.T.

by Les Mavus