Preview: Calgary Flames @ Carolina Hurricanes 10/29/18 (13/82): The Flames Look For Their 4th Straight In NC

Calgary Flames @ Carolina Hurricanes, 5 PM MT, PNC Arena, Raleigh NC

TV: SNF – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 6-5-2 (14 pts) – Carolina Hurricanes 7-3-1 (15 pts)

NHL Standings

The Flames second game of a five game trip through the Eastern Conference sees them making stop in North Carolina to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. This is Calgary’s longest road trip to date and it started off with a loss on Saturday night at the Heritage Classic. Calgary fell 2-1 in OT and wasted a spectacular performance from David Rittich. Rittich stopped 43 of the 45 shots that came his way, but as has been the case at times this season the Flames offence failed a Calgary goaltender. Their lone goal was the 11th time this season the Flames scored three goals or less in a win or a loss. It also marked the 4th time the Flames had the chance to win back to back games and it was the 4th time Calgary failed to do so.

The Hurricanes started off as one of the hottest teams in the NHL until they dropped a 3-2 decision to the Columbus Blue Jackets back on October 12th. That started a run where the Canes dropped three of four after winning six of their first seven. Carolina has had a flair for the dramatic on the young season, having had four of their first 11 games going beyond regulation. They won their first three games of 2019-20 by way of a shoot out and two overtime victories.

Carolina has been a nice surprise to start the season after their 2018-19 season. The Hurricanes took the NHL by storm down the stretch with their post game celebrations and being branded as a “Bunch of Jerks.” The Canes took that moniker by the horns and ran with it, winning 15 out of their last 21 games and getting all the way to the Conference Finals only to lose to the Boston Bruins in four games. The Hurricanes have clearly built on that run to start this season and huge part of that has been the goaltending of Petr Mzarek. The Czech keeper is 3-1-1 in his last five starts, including two shut outs.

The Flames have had good success against the Hurricanes since their move from Hartford back in 1998 with a record of 14-10-1. The Flames have won four out of the last six games they have played in Raleigh, including their last three.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 5-3-2, 2.94 GAA, .909 Save%

Hurricanes: Mrazek- (E)- 5-1-1, 2.42 GAA, .909 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals: Lindholm (7) Points: Tkachuk (10) PIM: Lucic (26) Save%: Rittich (.909)

Hurricanes: Goals: Haula (7) Points: Hamilton (12) PIM: Edmundson (15) Save%: Reimer (.918)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Carolina Hurricanes Coverage: Canes Country

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 1 – Winnipeg Jets 2 (OT)

Carolina Hurricanes 4 – Chicago Blackhawks 0

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames: Elias Lindholm (C): 3 points in last 3 games

Carolina Hurricanes: Dougie Hamilton (D): 4 points in last 4 games

by Mark Parkinson