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Five things to watch when the Calgary Flames take on the Winnipeg Jets:
1. A loaded defense core
The Calgary Flames are expected to dress what will be their opening night top-4 with the two most likely defense prospects to make the team – Juuso Valimaki and Rasmus Andersson – playing on a pairing behind them.
This will be the time this preseason we can measure the new look top-4 with statistical evidence.
This will also mark the first time Valimaki and Andersson have played together.
For my money, this is the most *talented* top-6 the Flames could possibly ice and I'm really looking forward to seeing how they perform.
2. Another opportunity for Dillon Dube
Dube is tied with Jonathan Marchessault, Kailer Yamamoto, and Ty Rattie for the preseason lead with four goals.
Though luck's been on his side (he is currently shooting 40%), he has been really noticeable for the right reasons and is making a big push for a spot on the team.
If he can put together a couple more quality performances, he could very well land an NHL job – at least to start the year. Coaches always preach consistency and so far he has shown it.
3. Impression time
Spencer Foo, Morgan Klimchuk, Anthony Peluso, and co. are miles behind some of the other bubble forwards fighting for spots (like Dube, Andrew Mangiapane, and Garnet Hathaway, who Bill Peters seems to love) and they are running out of time to catch up.
I expect another wave of cuts to be made in the next couple days so Bill Peters has time to have more concentrated practices, set line combinations, and get ready for opening night. This could be the last chance to get noticed for a lot of these bubble guys.
4. Goaltending
Preseason is preseason, and Mike Smith has only made one start thus far, but Flames goaltenders have combined to stop just 137 of the 156 shots they've faced. That's a .878 total save percentage, which is downright dreadful. It'd be nice to see the team get a save or two tonight.
5. Winnipeg's top line
I'm really excited to see Nik Ehlers, Jack Roslovic, and Brendan Lemieux together. We already know the former is supremely skilled and Roslovic is one of my favorite breakout picks for this season. Lemieux's mix of sandpaper and skill – he has a heavy shot – should nicely complement those guys. I think they'll be a fun line.
Here are the projected lineups:
Calgary (via @Fan960Steinberg)
Dillon Dube - Elias Lindholm - Spencer Foo
Andrew Mangiapane - Derek Ryan - Buddy Robinson
Morgan Klimchuk - Mark Jankowski - Garnet Hathaway
Ryan Lomberg - Alan Quine - Anthony Peluso
Mark Giordano - T.J. Brodie
Noah Hanifin - Travis Hamonic
Juuso Valimaki - Rasmus Andersson
Mike Smith
Tyler Parsons
Winnipeg
Puck drop is just after 9:00 eastern and can be seen on TSN3.
Note: data via NaturalStatTrick.com and Corsica.Hockey.
Recent posts:
On Mangiapane, Andersson, Backlund, and more
On Elias Lindholm, Sean Monahan, and prioritizing skill in the bottom-6
Three reasons to be optimistic about the Flames heading into 2018-19
Three Flames question marks heading into 2018-19
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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