Preview: Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators 3/21/19 (74/82): Flames Welcome Struggling Sens to Town

Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: SNW – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 45-21-7 (97 pts) – Ottawa Senators 25-42-6 (56 pts)

NHL Standings

The Flames finish off a brief home stand tonight with the only regular season visit from the Ottawa Senators. Calgary could get some healthy bodies back in the lineup as it’s being reported that Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett will be game time decisions. The Flames are currently in first place in both the Western Conference and Pacific Division with a three point lead on the San Jose Sharks. Both teams have nine games left, including a head to head match-up on March 31st. Calgary has won four out of their last five and can sweep the season series with a win against the Sens tonight.

Ottawa comes into this contest licking their wounds after a 7-4 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday night. The Senators season is mercifully grinding to an end as they have lost 12 out of their last 15 games. One of the bright spots in this lost season has been the play of rookie Brady Tkachuk. The Ottawa forward has 16 goals and 36 points in 62 games during his rookie campaign.

These two last met on February 24th with the Flames coming away with a 2-1 victory. Calgary is 13-7-1 all time at the Saddledome against Ottawa and the Flames have won three out of the last five times they’ve played in Calgary.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected,C=Confirmed)

Flames: Smith (E)- 19-14-2, 2.88 GAA, .896 Save%

Senators: Nilsson (E)- 13-17-1, 2.95 GAA, .909 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (35), Points- Gaudreau (92), PIM- Bennett (91), Save%- Rittich (.911)

Senators: Goals- Tkachuk (16), Points- Chabot (49), PIM- Borowiecki (87), Save%- Nilsson (.917)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Ottawa Senators Coverage: Silver Seven Sens

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 4 – Columbus Blue Jackets 2

Ottawa Senators 4 – Vancouver Canucks 7

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Derek Ryan (C): 9G – 21A, 5 points in last 5 games

Ottawa Senators

Chris Tierney (C): 9G – 36A, 5 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson