The Scotiabank Saddledome will feature two teams looking to regroup tonight following bitter losses when the Calgary Flames host the Colorado Avalanche in what should be a showdown between two very different styles of hockey.
For Calgary, a firm reminder that the team isn’t built for track races with elite talent lurks fresh in the minds of many following a 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
To blame were several skaters. Defenceman Tyson Barrie got caught pinching deep into the offensive zone a number of times, the first line of Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri and Joel Farabee were on the ice for three goals against, and Rasmus Andersson found himself witness to four goals against between even strength and the penalty kill.
Add on an underperforming fourth line and you have all of the ingredients needed for a sour night.
As for the Colorado Avalanche, they may be seeking redemption after dropping to 0-2-0 against the Vancouver Canucks this season following a 3-0 shutout loss on Tuesday.
Scoring zero goals is certainly nothing to celebrate, but their goals against were also of note—breakdowns out front of their net.
An ongoing issue for the Avs. Greasy net-front goals become a currency in the postseason and Colorado continues to struggle with protecting the front of their net.
At a Glance
Calgary Flames (26-20-7, 59 pts) vs Colorado Avalanche (31-22-2, 64 pts)
Last Ten: Calgary (5-5-0) Colorado (4-5-1)
Time: 7:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
TV: SN1, SNW, ALT
The Tortoise & the Hare
Saying that Calgary cannot afford another track meet tonight would be an understatement. Colorado is the fastest team in the NHL when it comes to hitting the neutral zone with speed.
Courtesy of NHL Edge.
Calgary, as we have looked at a few times on here, is around the slowest.
Also courtesy of NHL Edge.
There are ways to beat that, but if the defence can’t maintain proper gaps; Ryan Huska’s crew won’t stand a chance.
Oli’s Return
Oliver Kylington is set to return to the Avs lineup after having roughly two and a half months off. Due to a run of injuries in the forward core, the 27 year old Kylington was slotted in as a forward for a stretch. Those experiments turned into disasters quickly.
With Oliver dressing for just eight games this season and the Flames having a bit of disorder on their blueline, perhaps tonight is a tryout for the former Flames who developed out of Ryan Huska’s tutelage alongside Rasmus Andersson and Ryan Lomberg in the AHL.
The Stockholm, Sweden product has a goal and an assist in eight games this season. Both recorded on Nov. 23 against the Florida Panthers.
Calgary Flames Projected Lineup
Courtesy of Pat Steinberg.
@Fan960Steinberg
Huberdeau-Kadri-Farabee
Coleman-Backlund-Coronato
Sharangovich-Frost-Pospisil
Lomberg-Rooney-Klapka
Hanley-Andersson
Weegar-Miromanov
Bean-Pachal
Wolf
Colorado Avalanche Projected Lineup
Courtesy of nhl.com writing staff.
Artturi Lehkonen -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Martin Necas
Jonathan Drouin -- Casey Mittelstadt -- Juuso Parssinen
Miles Wood -- Jack Drury -- Ross Colton
Joel Kiviranta -- Parker Kelly -- Logan O'Connor
Devon Toews -- Cale Makar
Samuel Girard -- Oliver Kylington
Keaton Middleton -- Sam Malinski
Mackenzie Blackwood
Trent Miner
Game time is 7:00 p.m. MST.
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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