Calgary Flames vs Florida Panthers 2/17/18 (59/82): It’s A Quick Stop At The Dome Before The Road Calls

Calgary Flames vs Florida Panthers, 8 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

Home Sweet Home! Well, sort of. The Flames are finally back at the Saddledome after a grueling 6 game road trip that saw the Flames finish 4-2-0. Home isn’t exactly home seeing the Flames are 13-13-3 at the Dome, but Calgary only has a quick pit stop before they hit the road again.

The Flames sit in 8th place in the West, but they do currently hold the 6th playoff spot. Calgary has had the fortune of scoring some goals lately and the power play has come alive. The Flames were 4-22 on the road trip, with 2 of those PPG’s coming in their 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators. yeah, 4-22 isn’t great, but considering where it’s been, we’ll take it. The Flames PK has also been outstanding, killing 21 of the 26 penalties they took on the road, including a 5-5 performance against Nashville and the Islanders.

Florida is on the outside looking in with regards to the playoffs and their view is getting further and further away. The Swamp Kitties have 56 points, which puts them 8 points behind the Islanders for the final WC spot in the East. While the playoffs might be out of reach, Florida has been playing well lately. The Panthers have won 6 of their last 7, but in the end that might not be enough to save their playoff hopes.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Florida Panthers Coverage: Litter Box Cats

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 4 Nashville Predators 3

The Flames showed some serious grit in their 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators Thursday night. Calgary twice beat back Nashville leads and killed off all 5 penalties they took. David Rittich was the reason the Flames held on for the victory as he made 4 HUGE saves in the final 3 minutes to hold on to their 1 goal lead. Here’s our recap and the highlights from NHL.com

Florida Panthers 4 Vancouver Canucks 3

The Panthers are well rested on their Western Canadian road trip as they haven’t played since Valentines Day. James Reimer was rock solid in net, stopping 34 of the 37 shots that came his way to earn Florida a 4-3 win over the Canucks. Litter Box Cats has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Sean Monahan (C). Monahan appears ready to break out as he’s been putting plenty of pucks on net, but he’s having ZERO luck finding the twine. Monahan had 2 assists in the Flames 4-3 win over Nashville, but could have had at least 2 goals if not for Pekka Rinne.

Florida Panthers

Aleksander Barkov (C). Barkov has been a stud for the Panthers this season, recording 18 goals and 32 assists on the season so far. He has 3 goals and 3 assists in his last 5 games, with 1 helper coming on the PP. He’s played very well on the road in 2017-18 with 25 points in the Panthers 29 road games.

by Mark Parkinson