Preview: Calgary Flames vs NY Islanders 3/11/18 (70/82): The Flames Look To Win 3 In A Row

Calgary Flames vs NY Islanders, 5 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

The Flames are back on home ice after a 3 game road trip that saw them collect 5 of a possible 6 points, which they desperately needed. The Flames will entertain the Islanders in an early evening contest that could help them gain some ground on the idle LA Kings.

The Flames road trip success has inched them closer to a playoff spot, but the road ahead is filled with landmines and tough contests. Calgary could use 2 points today and it would be nice if they could get them easily. The Flames beat Ottawa 2-1 Friday night, but it was a struggle from start to finish. The good guys played like they were down for most of the contest and without David Rittich’s play, who knows that the score would have been. Calgary SHOULD have a chance to get the jump on the Isles early because it hasn’t been smooth sailing for NY lately.

The Islanders were a borderline playoff team the last time these two met. Now, not so much. The Islanders are in the middle of an 8 game losing streak that started back on February 19th. NY has dropped 3 straight heart breakers in either OT or a SO and the losses just keep mounting. In addition to the 8 game losing streak they have also lost 12 of their last 16.

The Flames and Isles met on February 11th with Calgary getting a 3-2 win. The Flames can sweep the season series for the first time since 2014 with a win today, but it won’t be easy. Calgary has lost 3 of their last 5 against the Islanders at the Saddledome.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

NY Islanders Coverage: Light House Hockey @LHHockey

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 2 Ottawa Senators 1

The Flames BARELY held on, but got 2 valuable points in a 2-1 win over Ottawa Friday night. The Senators pushed the Flames to the brink in the 3rd period, but David Rittich stood tall and handled the pressure to get the Flames a huge victory. Here’s our recap and the highlights from NHL.com

NY Islanders 1 Edmonton Oilers 2 (SO)

What can you say about the Islanders? NY lost another game in extra time, this one to the Edmonton Oilers 2-1. Connor McDavid netted the game winner and NY dropped it’s 8th straight contest. Lighthouse Hockey has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Matt Stajan (C). Who knew? Matt Stajan, of all people, has been playing great hockey as of late. The Flames veteran centre has found the fountain of youth and has 2 points in his last 3 games. Stajan only has 10 points on the season, but getting 2 of those last week AND putting 7 SOG in his last 5 has been huge for the Flames.

NY Islanders

Thomas Hickey (D). The Calgary native has been the hottest Islander lately despite the team’s lack of success. The 5th year NHL’er has 4 points in his last 5, including a goal in NY’s 2-1 SO loss to the Oilers Thursday night. Of his 20 points on the season 14 have come while on the road.

by Mark Parkinson