Preview: Calgary Flames @ Ottawa Senators 3/9/18 (69/82): Flames Look To Win 2 In A Row

Calgary Flames @ Ottawa Senators, 5:30 PM MT, Canadian Tire Centre, Kanata ON

The Flames will look to extend their winning streak to two games as they close out a 3 game road trip with a visit to Ottawa to battle the Senators. The Flames were able to snap a 4 game losing streak in Buffalo Wednesday night and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Flames are 3 points outside of a WC spot behind surging LA and the Kings have games in hand. The good news for the Flames is they are on the road and if they’re going to try and add to their 1 game winning streak, a road trip is the place to do it. The Flames are 19-10-6 on the road this season.

And then there’s the Senators. Ottawa was a game away from going to the Stanley Cup Finals last season and now they are only 4 points away from having the worst record in the NHL. The Sens are 14-13-6 at home and they are 24th in the league in goals per game.

March has looked good on Ottawa so far as they are 2-1-1 early on in the month. If that seems a little lackluster, consider the fact that they closed out the month of February on a 5 game losing streak. That streak was the fifth time this season the Senators lost 4 or more games in a row in 2017-18.

The Flames and Sens have met once this season with Ottawa whooping Calgary 6-0 back on October 13th. Much like the other night in Buffalo, Ottawa isn’t one of the Flames favorite stops on the road. Calgary has lost 4 of the last 5 games they have played in Ottawa.

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Ottawa Senators Coverage: Silver Seven Sens

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 5 Buffalo Sabres 1

The Flames snapped a 4 game losing skid Wednesday night by beating the Sabres 5-1 in Buffalo. Calgary got goals from 5 different players in the contest and David Rittich looked solid in only his second start in the Flames last 7 games. Here’s our recap and the highlights from NHL.com

Ottawa Senators 3 Buffalo Sabres 4 (SO)

Ottawa continued their downward trend as they fell to the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 Thursday night. The loss was their 7th loss in their last 9 games. Silver Seven Sens has the recap and NHL.com provides the highlights.

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Mark Giordano (D). The Flames captain has had an outstanding season manning the blue line and his offence has picked up recently as well. Gio has 3 points in his last 2 games, upping his totals on the season to 12 goals and 23 assists. Giordano didn’t have a point in the Flames loss to Ottawa earlier this season, but he does have 22 points in Calgary’s 35 road games.

Ottawa Senators

Erik Karlsson (D). Whatever has kicked started Karlsson lately is working. The Swedish product has 7 points in his last 5 games and he’s been a stud at home. In 30 home games Karlsson has 33 points.

by Mark Parkinson