Preview: Calgary Flames @ Winnipeg Jets 2/2/21 (9/56): No Rest For The Weary

Calgary Flames @ Winnipeg Jets, 6 PM MT, Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg MB

TV: SNW – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames (4-3-1, 9 pts) – Winnipeg Jets (5-4-0, 10 pts)

NHL Standings

And just like that, the Flames and Jets are back at it again on Tuesday night. The Flames were able to overcome some terrible first period play and defeat the Jets in a shoot out 4-3 last night. Luckily for Calgary their slow start didn’t do them in, as they found themselves in a 2-0 hole after 20 minutes. Just getting to the overtime would have been considered a win, but Johnny Gaudreau played hero in the shoot out and got the Flames two points and pulled them within one point of 5th place Winnipeg.

If the Jets are smart they may take a chance on Laurent Brossoit tonight as the Flames are looking like they have Connor Hellebuyck’s number lately. The Jets backup keeper is 1-1-0 so far this season, giving up 7 goals on 79 shots in limited duty so far in 2021. On the Flames side they should 100% go back to Jacob Markstrom today and keep building momentum on last night’s victory. Markstrom was very solid last night (3 goals on 28 shots), kept the Flames in that game at times and his goaltending in the shoot out was remarkable. Calgary will have a few days off before their first matchup at home with Edmonton, so David Rittich can handle the starting duties on Thursday against Winnipeg. It only makes sense to go with the hot goalie tonight, even if it’s back to back nights.

Speaking of hot, Calgary’s been riding the red hot Johnny Gaudreau and why not keep it going? Gaudreau has points in eight straight straight games (career high is 11) and leads the Flames with six goals on the young season. Just how well is the Flames forward been playing? It took him 30 games last season to score six goals. He has six in eight games in 2021. Gaudreau’s offence has been dynamic as it has been in the past, but his overall game is off the charts as well. He’s been hustling back on defence this season and his back checking last night saved the Flames a few times as well. Combine his play with the the Flames getting some even strength goals and maybe Calgary is turning the ship around.

The key for tonight: play well from the get go. If Winnipeg goes with Brossoit, Calgary needs to be on him early and make him uncomfortable. Getting the jump on a team that has struggled a times in 2021 could be key and shots will help make the difference. Calgary only had five first period shots, but once they started peppering Hellebuyck, things got better for the Flames. These all seem like simple solutions to Calgary’s problems, but they have had a hard time putting it all together over their eight game start.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Markstrom (E): 4-2-1, 2.27 GAA, .924 SV%

Jets: Brossoit (E): 1-1-0, 3.47 GAA, .911 SV%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (6), Points- Gaudreau (10), PIM- Lucic (8), Save%- Markstrom (.924)

Jets: Goals- Connor (6), Points- Scheifele (12), PIM: Beaulieu (12). Save%- Hellebuyck (.910)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Winnipeg Jets Coverage: Arctic Ice Hockey

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 4 – Montreal Canadiens 3 (SO)

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Elias Lindholm (C): 5 assists in last 3 games

Winnipeg Jets

Nikolaj Ehlers (F): 4 points last 3 games

by Mark Parkinson