Preview: Calgary Flames @ Washington Capitals, 2/1/19 (52/82): Flames Looking To Stay Hot In DC

Calgary Flames @ Washington Capitals, 5:00 PM MT, Capital One Arena

TV: SNW

Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 33-13-5 (71) – Washington Capitals 27-17-6 (60)

NHL Standings

HOCKEY! WE HAVE HOCKEY! The Calgary Flames are back after what seemed like the longest nine days ever and on the road to visit the Washington Capitals. The Flames are one of the NHL’s best teams right now, having won 11 of 15 and Calgary has secured a point in nine straight games. Calgary owns the 3rd best record on the road this season and they’ve won three out of the last five times they’ve visited the Capitals.

The Flames will get a little luck on Friday night as Alex Ovechkin will be suspended for this game due to his skipping of the NHL All Star game. Ovechkin leads the Caps in both goals and points (37 & 57) and currently has six points in his last five games. His absence could have a major impact on this game as Ovi has six points in his last seven games against the Flames.

The defending Stanley Cup Champions aren’t doing as well as their star player. Washington has dropped 10 of their last 13 games and are currently mired in a seven game losing skid. Despite that run of futility the Capitals are in third place in the Metropolitan and clinging on to the 7th place spot in the Eastern Conference.

These two last met on October 27th with Calgary losing 4-3 in overtime at the Saddledome. The loss was the 4th time in five tries that Calgary has fallen to Washington at home.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 19-4-4, 2.47 GAA, .918 Save%

Capitals: Holtby (E)- 17-12-3, 3.11 GAA, .905 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (29), Points- Gaudreau (73), PIM- Bennett (72), Save%- Rittich (.918)

Capitals: Goals- Ovechkin (37), Points- Ovechkin (57), PIM- Wilson (58), Save%- Holtby (.905)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Washington Capitals Coverage: Japers Rink

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 3 – Carolina Hurricanes 2

Washington Capitals 3 – Toronto Maple Leafs 6

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Sean Monahan (C): 27G – 34A, 6 points in last 5 games

Washington Capitals

John Carlson (D): 8G – 39A, 5 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson