Calgary Flames vs Montreal Canadiens, 5 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: TVAS, CITY, SNE, SNW, SNP - Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames (12-12-3, 27 pts) - Montreal Canadiens (11-7-7, 29 pts)

NHL Standings

The Flames will look to win their second straight under Darryl Sutter when they take on the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night at the Saddledome. Calgary switched up their lines and style of play and put forth a defensive masterpiece, showing that this team has the talent to play winning hockey. Granted, the Canadiens were playing their third game in four nights, but Calgary really buckled down and were heavy and smart in their 2-1 victory.

With both teams being rested, tonight’s affair should be a better look at what the Flames really are under their new coach. What was a breath of fresh air on Thursday was Calgary getting MAJOR contributions from role players. Josh Leivo scored twice. The Derek Ryan led line was so effective that they were on the ice for the final minutes of a one goal game. These are the things that make teams successful and if you combine that with Calgary’s top players playing well, things should start to look better.

As a hallmark of Darryl Sutter teams, the Flames defence was on point. Calgary limited the Canadiens to 18 shots on net and the Habs didn’t have a period with more than seven SOG. The Flames also managed to block 10 shots on the night and looked faster and more physical than they had all season. If you can play that well in your own end, give your goalie a light work load and keep bringing the defence up into the offensive game plan, this could be another entertaining, if not low scoring affair that the Flames could control early. What remains to be seen now is if Thursday was a one time thing with a new coach at the helm or if Calgary is really buying in on Darryl Sutter’s system and style.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Markstrom (E): 9-7-2, 2.77 GAA, .909 SV%

Canadiens: Price (E): 8-4-4, 2.59 GAA, .906 SV%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (11), Points- Gaudreau (23), PIM- Tkachuk (28), Save%- Markstrom (.909)

Canadiens: Goals- Toffoli (15), Points- Petry (24), PIM: Chiarot (44). Save%- Allen (.922)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Montreal Canadiens Coverge: Habs Eyes On The Prize

Last Time Out

Calgary Flames 2 - Montreal Canadiens 1

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images

Josh Leivo (F): 3 goals in last three games

Montreal Canadiens

Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images

Jeff Petry (D): 4 points in last 5 games