The 2-0-0 Calgary Flames have a big challenge ahead of them tonight. The 3-0-0 Vegas Golden Knights are in town and have much to prove after limping to the finish line last season. Both teams played last on Saturday and have had two full days off. Both teams are undefeated and will make a statement of this game.
Here are a few factors.
Winning Battles
We’ll be looking at some compelling statistics later, but, from the eye test of both of these teams this season: this game will be decided in the corners, on the wall, and around the net.
While the Calgary Flames have been solid at winning puck races over two games, all Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy has to do is review tape of the Oilers game to have a game plan served up to him on a silver platter. The Flames defence had some real issues dealing with an aggressive forecheck.
This led to turnovers — and not the delicious kind from the bakery.
The Golden Knights have been making their board play into a source of offence. This quote from Bruce Cassidy says a lot.
Fear a Healthy Contender
Like it or not, the Vegas Golden Knights are healthy to start the year. For the Nevada team, a healthy roster means a return to contender status.
While you may say “It’s only three games. Let’s not get hasty with the claims.” Let’s look at where the Golden Knights were when they had a relatively healthy team last year.
Golden Knights October 12, 2021 to December 30, 2021
22-12-0 — 4th in the NHL — 1st in the Pacific
Things started to sour around the New Year. It was nearly entirely due to non-stop injury problems.
Golden Knights January 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022
21-19-8 — 23rd in the NHL — 5th in the Pacific
After an extended offseason, they currently hold a 3-0-0 record. A sparkling 1.67 goals against per game. In fact, they’re outscoring the opposition two to one. The powerplay — a huge weakness last year — is 3/12.
In other words, the team we all hate is back.
Trump Card
The Vegas Golden Knights hold a distinct advantage over the Calgary Flames. Particularly when they play in Calgary.
Let’s look at how the goalies for both teams are doing.
We can see that, three games into the season, the Golden Knights are playing well defensively. 1.67 goals against per game, or five goals against in three games. The Flames sit at near double that mark. Three goals against in each of their two games.
Let’s look at how the Golden Knights’ current tandem of Adin Hill and Logan Thompson did against Calgary last season. Keep in mind that Adin Hill played for the Sharks.
Vs. Calgary Flames Last Season
Adin Hill
2-0-0
Sv%: .951
GAA: 2.00
Logan Thompson
1-0-0
Sv%: .972
GAA: 1.00
Is it worth mentioning that
both of these goaltenders are Calgary boys?
If Vegas continues playing a solid defensive game and gets a boost from one of these goaltenders: the Calgary Flames may be in trouble. Both young goaltenders absolutely stood on their heads against the Flames last season.
OK, so the cards are somewhat stacked. What can the Flames do to win?
Take the Game to the Knights
There are still issues with speed on the Golden Knights. If the Flames can keep the puck moving well enough to break the forecheck and prevent the game from localizing to small areas; there’s a good chance the Flames can keep their foot on the pedal until they have a hefty lead. That is, providing they can solve whichever Calgary born goaltender is in net for the Knights.
Keep It Tight and Win Special Teams Battles
The Flames are 3 for 9 on the powerplay this season. With a secret weapon of Micheal Stone’s booming shot. If the two teams lock it down and turn this game into a goalie battle — the game may be decided by either the penalty killing prowess of Mark Stone or the powerplay presence of Micheal Stone.
Here are the Flames lines in practice yesterday.
Defenceman Hanifin wasn’t skating. Nor was Willie Nylander at practice with the Leafs. Just stirring the pot.
Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli
Dube-Kadri-Mangiapane
Coleman-Backlund-Lewis
Lucic-Rooney-Ritchie
Ruzicka
Weegar-Tanev
Mackey-Andersson
Zadorov-Stone
Markstrom (confirmed starting)
Vladar
We’ll get the Vegas lineup updated once it becomes available.
Game time is 7:00pm MST. Catch the broadcast on Sportsnet West.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Stats via naturalstattrick.com, nhl.com. Graphic courtesy of nhl.com. Bruce Cassidy quote courtesy of Sin Bin Vegas.
@SinBinVegas 
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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