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Calgary Flames

Preview- Game 4, Calgary Flames vs Winnipeg Jets: Flames Can Advance With Win

A win tonight and the Flames will send the Jets into the Draft Lottery.

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Calgary Flames vs Winnipeg Jets, 8:30 PM MT, Rogers Place, Edmonton AB

TV: CNBC, TVAS, NHLTV, SN – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Series: Calgary Flames (2) – Winnipeg Jets (1)

The Flames can send the Winnipeg Jets to summer vacation tonight if they can take care of business in Edmonton. Calgary’s offence exploded Tuesday night during a 6-2 dismantling of the Jets. Sean Monahan awoke from his post season slumber with a three point effort (1G 2A) and Cam Talbot was once again on point, backstopping the Flames to victory.

IF the Flames can get another performance like they did Tuesday night this game could be over early. Calgary got solid goaltending, a ton of quality chances that they capitalized on and most importantly the PP was back. The good guys were gifted four PPO by Winnipeg and the Flames finished 3-4 with goals by Elias Lindholm, Sean Monahan and Milan Lucic. Where the Flames also excelled was in staying OUT of the box. The Flames PK only had to take to the ice two times, going 1-2 on the evening. Compare that to the previous two games where they were on the ice 14 times and that’s a dramatic improvement.

Now, take all of what I’ve written above and apply that to Game 4. Draw penalties and have success on the PP. Create high danger and quality scoring opportunities and finish. Keep getting solid play in net. Basically, do what you did in Game 3 and the Flames should easily advance past the Winnipeg Jets. I know, easier said than done, but Calgary looked like a completely different team on Tuesday night and therein lies the problem. All season long the Flames have been very Jekyll and Hyde. You never know what team will show up at the rink and that should give the Jets a sliver of hope. Sure, they can think that Game 3 is who this Flames really are and that can get in their heads, but they could look at the Game 2 Calgary squad and have a glimmer of hope. For the Flames to advance they need to come out early and pounce on a Jets team that is on the ropes and put them away early. Winnipeg has scored first in all three games this series and it’s high time the Flames play that card and put the Jets on their heels and get the job done.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Talbot (E): 2-1-0, 2.02 GAA, .924 Save%

Jets: Hellebuyck (E): 1-2-0, 3.38 GAA, .892 Save%

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Winnipeg Jets Coverage: Arctic Ice Hockey

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 6 – Winnipeg Jets 2

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Mikael Backlund (C): Backlund has 3 points in this series, scoring twice and collecting an assist in Game 3.

Winnipeg Jets

Adam Lowry (C): Lowry has three points on this series, two of them coming in Winnipeg’s 6-2 loss in Game 3.

by Mark Parkinson