Preview: Calgary Flames vs Pittsburgh Penguins, 12/17/19 (36/82): Calgary Looks To Start A New Streak

Calgary Flames vs Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: SNW, ESPN+ – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 18-13-4 (40 pts) – Pittsburgh Penguins 19-10-4 (42 pts)

NHL Standings

It’s time for a new streak! The Flames season high seven game win streak came to a crashing halt with a 4-0 loss the the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon. Tonight the Flames welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Saddledome for their only visit during the regular season. Before being blanked by the Canes last weekend Calgary had been scoring goals like they hadn’t all season. During their winning streak the Flames were averaging an even four goals per contest, which is light years ahead of where they had been all season. Prior to winning seven straight the Flames had only scored four or more goals three times in 28 games.

The Penguins come into this contest winners of eight of their last eleven and getting some very solid goaltending. Tristan Jarry has won four of his last five starts with three of those wins being shut outs and he’s only given up five goals total over that stretch. Despite not having their captain in the lineup since November 9th the Penguins have been very solid. Pittsburgh is 9-4-3 since Sidney Crosby went down with an injury, but they’ve been able to score and maintain their position in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh currently sits in 4th place, only four points out of second place.

These two last met on November 25th with the Flames losing 3-2 in OT, the final loss before they took off and won seven in a row. The odds are slightly in Calgary’s favor as Pittsburgh has struggled on the road, going 5-6-2 in twelve games away from home and they’ve been miserable over the years at the Saddledome. The Flames are 30-17-8 overall at home against the Penguins and have won three of the last five times they’ve come to town.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 15-8-4, 2.73 GAA, .914 Save%

Penguins: Jarry (E)- 9-5-0, 1.92 GAA, .937 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals: Lindholm (14) Points: Monahan (28) PIM: Lucic (34) Save%: Rittich (.914)

Penguins: Goals: Guentzel (17) Points: Guentzel (36) PIM: Ashton-Reese (18) Save%: Jarry (.937)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Pittsburgh Penguins Coverage: Pensburgh

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 0 – Carolina Hurricanes 4

Pittsburgh Penguins 5 – LA Kings 4 (SO)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Derek Ryan (C): 4 points in last 5 games

Pittsburgh Penguins

Kris Letang (D): 6 points in last 4 games

by Mark Parkinson