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Calgary Flames

Preview: Calgary Flames @ Chicago Blackhawks 1/7/20 (44/82): Flames Go For Third Straight Victory

Calgary can extend their winning streak with a “W” in Chicago.

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Calgary Flames @ Chicago Blackhawks, 6:30 PM MT, United Center, Chicago IL

TV: SNW – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames 22-17-5 (49 pts) – Chicago Blackhawks 19-18-6 (44 pts)

NHL Standings

The Flames will close out Dad’s Trip and a mini two game road trip with a stop in Chicago to take on the Blackhawks Tuesday night. Calgary is currently riding a two game winning streak that they could extend to three with a road win in Chicago. The Flames could use a streak of good luck as the halfway point of the season has passed and it’s time for the Flames to either put up or shut up. They’ve dealt Michael Frolik, which shows they are looking towards the future, but will it be as buyers or sellers? Putting together a solid run would go a long way to showing that the Flames are a team that can make some noise in the playoffs. A loss would potentially put Calgary back into their pattern of win one, lose one and that’s not going to help them secure any kind of playoff spot.

Not much has really changed for Chicago since they beat the Flames on NYE 5-3 in Calgary. The Blackhawks have won six of their last eight games, but still find themselves out of a playoff spot. The ‘Hawks are dead last in the Central Division and they find themselves six points out of the last WC spot, so minus some sort of miracle, the Blackhawks aren’t going to be playing any late spring hockey.

Despite their struggles on the road, Chicago has been a good place for the Flames to play as of late. Calgary has won four of the last five times they have visited the Blackhawks, including three in a row.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Rittich (E)- 18-10-5, 2.81 GAA, .911 Save

Blackhawks: Crawford (E)- 7-11-2, 3.14 GAA, .905 Save%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals: Lindholm (16) Points: Tkachuk (36) PIM: Lucic (34) Save%: Talbot (.913)

Blackhawks: Goals: Kane (24) Points: Kane (54) PIM: Gilbert (38) Save%: Lehner (.922)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Chicago Blackhawks Coverage: Second City Hockey

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 5 – Minnesota Wild 4 (SO)

Chicago Blackhawks 4 – Detroit Red Wings 2

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Matthew Tkachuk (F): 4 points in last 5 games

Chicago Blackhawks

Alex DeBrincat (F): 5 points in last 5 games

by Mark Parkinson