Preview: Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes, 2/18/19 (59/82): Flames Can Take 3rd Straight From Coyotes

Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes, 2 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: ESPN+, SNW

Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 35-16-7 (77 pts) – Arizona Coyotes 26-27-5 (57 pts)

NHL Standings

The Saddledome will be a sight for sore eyes as the Flames finally return home after a four game road trip that was a mixed bag to say the least. Calgary went 1-1-2 on that four game trek with their only win being a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday afternoon. Despite getting only one win, the Flames were able to collect four points and climb back to the top of the Pacific Division and Western Conference.

The Flames have been playing very uninspired hockey lately, but they looked like a team that had some life in Pittsburgh. Calgary was finally able to put some points on the board and they didn’t back down from Pittsburgh when challenged. That brand of hockey was nice to see after their uninspiring play versus Vancouver and Florida.

Speaking of uninspiring, we present to you the Arizona Coyotes. Arizona has lost six out of their last nine, including a five game losing skid where they were outscored 19-11. During that stretch the ‘Yotes only scored more than two goal once, a 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Coyotes sit in 10th place in the Western Conference, 20 points behind the front running Flames, but here’s the crazy part: they are still in playoff contention. Outside of Calgary, San Jose, Winnipeg and Nashville the West is WIDE open. Arizona’s 57 points has them in 4th place in the WC standings, a mere 3 points behind Minnesota for the final Wild Card spot. Let that sink in for a bit.

Home has been a good place for the Flames, especially when the Coyotes visit the Saddledome. Calgary has won 11 of the last 15 games at home against Arizona and the Desert Puppies are only 15-13-2 on the road. Calgary is 17-5-5 at the Saddledome, good for 6th best in the NHL. The last time these two met the Flames demolished Arizona 7-1.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Smith (C)- 15-11-2, 3.09 GAA, .891 Save%

Coyotes: Kuemper (E)- 14-14-5, 2.68 GAA, .913 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (29), Points- Gaudreau (78), PIM- Bennett (81), Save%- Rittich (.911)

Coyotes: Goals- Galchenyuk (13), Points- Keller (38), PIM- Crouse (60), Save%- Kuemper (.913)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Arizona Coyotes Coverage: Five For Howling

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 5 – Pittsburgh Penguins 4

Arizona Coyotes 2 – Toronto Maple Leafs 0

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Derek Ryan (C): 5G – 18A, 4 points in last 5 games

Arizona Coyotes

Alex Galchenyuk (C): 13G – 18A, 4 goals in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson