Preview: Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars (21/82): Stars Shooting Up Standings

Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars 7:30 PM MT

Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: SN1 - Radio: SN960

Calgary Flames 10-7-3 (23 Pts) vs Dallas Stars 8-8-2 (18 Pts)

The Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars will meet for the second time in this young season when they square off at the Saddledome. It will be Dallas’ only trip of the season to Calgary, and the Stars probably don’t love that because they’ve done very well in Calgary in recent memory, having won nine of their last eleven visits.

These two teams met on October 10 in Dallas with the Flames snagging a comeback victory in the shootout after being down 2-0 in the third period. Calgary got goals from Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin to cue the comeback, followed by Johnny Gaudreau scoring an absolute beauty in overtime. Joel L’Esperance and Jamie Benn had the Dallas goals, but the story of the game was David Rittich’s penalty shot save in overtime to keep the Flames alive. He ended the night with 34 saves on 36 shots to earn first star honors.

The Flames enter the game having played some decent hockey of late, going 4-1-1 in their last six games. Calgary has also had success on home ice this year, posting an impressive 6-1-2 record at the Dome. Meanwhile Dallas has managed to make it back to .500 after their horrendous start to the season where they were 1-7-1 after nine games. In their most recent nine games, they’ve gone 7-1-1, so Calgary will try to slow them down. Dallas is 3-5-1 on the road this year.

We were lucky enough to talk to Taylor from Defending Big D on the The Tinderbox earlier this week about tonight’s matchup, and that conversation can be found at the bottom of this preview.

Starting Goalies

Flames: David Rittich (Expected) 9-4-3, .914 SV%, 2.74 GAA

(Edit) Flames: Cam Talbot (Confirmed) 1-3-0, .899 SV%, 2.85 GAA

Stars: Ben Bishop (Expected) 5-5-1, .928 SV%, 2.22 GAA

Team Leaders

Flames - Goals: Tkachuk/Lindholm (10), Points: Lindholm (19), PIM: Lucic (30)

Stars - Goals: Hintz (9), Points: Seguin/Hintz (11), PIM: Radulov (20)

What’s Happening with the Opposition

Dallas Stars Coverage: Defending Big D

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 2 vs St. Louis Blues 3 (OT)

Dallas Stars 2 at Winnipeg Jets 3 (OT)

Players to Watch

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Flames - Johnny Gaudreau (F) He has two goals and two assists in his last five games and has scored nine career goals agains the Stars, tied for the most he’s scored against any opponent in the league.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Stars - Radek Faksa (F): Faksa is on a mini heater with three goals in his last two games