Preview: Calgary Flames @ Toronto Maple Leafs 1/16/20 (49/82): Flames Look To Get Back On Track

Calgary Flames @ Toronto Maple Leafs, 5:00 PM MT, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto ON

TV: SNW – Radio: SN960

Calgary Flames 25-18-5 (55 pts) – Toronto Maple Leafs 25-16-6 (56 Points)

NHL Standings

Calgary’s second game of a three game road trip sees them stopping in Toronto for a date with the Maple Leafs. Calgary just had their five game winning streak snapped by the Montreal Canadiens back on Monday by the score of 2-0. The Flames came out and delivered one of their worst performances leading to their league worst 6th time being shutout on the season. Despite that loss the Flames have won six of their last nine and are only two points out of the top spot in the Pacific Division. Whether it was fatigue from their 4-3 victory over Edmonton, all the hoopla between Matthew Tkachuk and Zack Kassian, whatever, the Flames need to focus because the Maple Leafs are just like Montreal: looking to put a prolonged losing streak behind them.

Toronto, much like that wounded Montreal team Calgary just faced was struggling. The Leafs had dropped three of four before pounding the NJ Devils 7-4 on Tuesday night. In their three straight losses Toronto surrendered 18 goals, including a 6 and 8 spot to the Oilers and Panthers. The Maple Leafs are currently 2nd in the Atlantic Division, six points behind front running Boston.

These two last met on December 12th with the Flames coming away with a 4-2 victory. This contest won’t be a slam dunk win as the Leafs are sporting a 12-5-6 record at home, while the Flames are 12-11-2 on the road. Compound that with the fact that the Flames have lost six of their last seven games in Toronto and this looks like an uphill battle for the the good guys.

Starting Goalies

Flames: Rittich (Expected) 18-11-5, 2.79 GAA, .913 SV%

Maple Leafs: Andersen (Expected) 22-8-5, 2.86 GAA, .910 SV%

Team Leaders

Flames – Goals: Lindholm (20), Points: Tkachuk (38), PIM: Lucic (36), Save%: Talbot (.922)

Maple Leafs – Goals: Matthews (34), Points: Matthews (57), PIM: Muzzin (34), Save%: Andersen (.910)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Toronto Maple Leafs Coverage: Pension Plan Puppets

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 0 – Montreal Canadiens 2

Toronto Maple Leafs 7 – NJ Devils 4

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Elias Lindholm (C): 5 points in last 5 games

Toronto Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews (C): 7 goals in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson