Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: ESPN+, SNW - Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames (16-19-3, 35 pts) - Toronto Maple Leafs (24-10-3, 51 pts)

NHL Standings

17. That’s how many games are left in this frustrating season for the Calgary Flames and the countdown to the end continues tonight as the Toronto Maple Leafs come to town. Toronto has added to their lead in the North Division over both Edmonton and Winnipeg by winning five of their last six and getting at least a point in all six games. The Flames meanwhile are sliding further down the ladder to the basement of the division having dropped seven of their last nine.

Despite being only six points behind Montreal for the final playoff spot in the North, that six points might as well be 20. Montreal still has four games to make up due to Covid cancelations so they, in theory, should easily hold on to that last spot as the Flames and Canucks are equally terrible and shouldn’t have any prayer of catching the Habs.

But before all that the Flames have to get through tonight and it’s not going to be easy. Toronto hasn’t been piling up the goals lately (16 in 6 games), but they aren’t allowing many either. They’ve only surrendered 10 goals in their last six, including a shut out and a pair of one goal affairs. Contrast that with the Flames only scoring seven goals in their last six losses and you can see where this is going.

Remember, there’s only 17 games left, so try and enjoy them. Maybe if you go into a game without ANY kind of positive expectations you’ll be surprised?

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Markstrom (E): 12-13-2, 2.94 GAA, .901 SV%

Leafs: Hutchinson (E): 3-2-1, 2.49 GAA, .915 SV%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (13), Points- Lindholm (31), PIM- Tkachuk (41), Save%- Rittich (.907)

Leafs: Goals- Matthews (24), Points- Marner (46), PIM: Bogosian (45). Save%- Campbell (.951)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Toronto Maple Leafs Coverage: Pension Plan Puppets

Last Time Out

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Gaudreau (F): 4 points in 6 games against Toronto

Toronto Maple Leafs

Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Auston Matthews (C): 5 points in 6 games against the Flames