Preview: Calgary Flames @ Winnipeg Jets 3/16/19 (72/82): Matthew Tkachuk & Flames Go For Sweep Of Jets

Calgary Flames @ Winnipeg Jets, 5 PM MT, Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg MB

TV: ESPN+, SNW, SNP – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 44-20-7 (95 pts) – Winnipeg Jets 41-25-4 (86 pts)

NHL Standings

The streaking Calgary Flames hit the road for a one off with the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night. The Flames come into this contest riding a three game winning streak and playing some of their best hockey in weeks. Calgary is scoring goals at a break neck clip with Friday night’s five goal outburst against the NY Rangers being the latest. Over their three game winning streak the Flames have outscored their opponents 20-8. Part of that Flames scoring machine is most likely out for this contest as Sean Monahan and his 76 points will possibly be sitting this one out with an illness. Mike Smith was reported to not be feeling well either, so David Rittich may get back to back starts.

The Winnipeg Jets find themselves in first place in the Central Division, but by the smallest of margins. The Jets are only one point ahead of the Nashville Predators in a playoff race that is very similar to what’s going on in the Pacific between Calgary and San Jose. The Jets have been in a weird rut for the last month or so and haven’t been able to gain any seperation with Nashville, but nor have they fallen too far back. Winnipeg hasn’t won more than three in a row since a run through Boston, Columbus and Anaheim 21 games ago. Sandwiched in that space are losing streaks of three games (twice) and two, two game losing streaks. Basically the Jets get a little traction and then fall back. Despite that, they are still on top of the Central Division and are 7th in the league in scoring with 239 goals.

These two last met on December 27th with the Flames winning 4-1 in Winnipeg’s building. The Flames hold a 2-0 lead in the season series and have outscored the Jets 10-4 in the two games they’ve played this season.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected,C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 25-7-5, 2.65 GAA, .910 Save%

Jets: Hellebuyck (E)- 29-20-2, 3.01 GAA, .909 Save%

Team Leaders

Calgary: Goals- Guadreau (34), Points- Gaudreau (91), PIM- Bennett (91), Save%- Rittich (.910)

Winnipeg: Goals- Scheifele (33), Points- Wheeler (86), PIM- Lemieux (64), Save%- Hellebuyck (.909)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Winnipeg Jets Coverage: Arctic Ice Hockey

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 5 – NY Rangers 1

Winnipeg Jets 4 – Boston Bruins 3

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Matthew Tkachuk (F): 32G – 41A, 11 points in last 5 games

Winnipeg Jets

Blake Wheeler (C): 20G – 66A, 6 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson