Flames looking for a third consecutive win against a struggling Islanders squad that has been victimized by a dozen power-play goals against in a seven-game swoon
When it comes to special teams, something positive is about to happen for one team when the Calgary Flames play host to the New York Islanders on Saturday.
While the Flames have a moribund power play that has been blanked on 13 chances in the last five games and managed only four goals in the last 13 games (4-for-41), the Islanders’ penalty killers have been torched during their seven-game losing skid. New York has allowed 12 goals in 24 short-handed situations while in a 0-4-3 swoon.
Something’s gotta give, right?
The Flames (6-8-2) are looking for their first three-game winning streak of the season, and it will be worth following whether Jonathan Huberdeau and Elias Lindholm can build on their performances during Thursday’s 5-2 win over the previously high-flying Vancouver Canucks.
The Islanders (5-6-5) are finishing a four-game road trip and are only ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Metropolitan Division. New York, which is coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, has scored four goals on its last seven power plays.
Here’s a look at Calgary’s expected lineup:
Forwards:
Dillon Dube-Elias Lindholm-Andrew Mangiapane
Jonathan Huberdeau-Mikael Backlund-Blake Coleman
Connor Zary-Nazem Kadri-Martin Pospisil
A.J. Greer-Adam Ruzicka-Yegor Sharangovich
Extra: Walker Duehr.
Defense:
MacKenzie Weegar-Rasmus Andersson
Noah Hanifin-Chris Tanev
Nikita Zadorov-Nick DeSimone
Extra: Denis Gilbert
Goal:
Jacob Markstrom
Dan Vladar
Against the Islanders, Markstrom has a career 6-5-1 record with a 2.98 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. Vladar has never faced the Islanders.
Here is the expected roster for the Islanders:
Forwards:
Mathew Barzal-Bo Horvat-Simon Holmstrom
Pierre Engvall-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Oliver Wahlstrom
Hudson Fasching-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck
Defense:
Adam Pelech-Noah Dobson
Alexander Romanov-Ryan Pulock
Sebastian Aho-Scott Mayfield
Goal:
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov
Sorokin has a career 1-1-0 mark with a 3.87 goals-against average and .893 save percentage against Calgary
ICE CHIPS: The Islanders have scored first in 11 of their 16 games, including their last three, and have a 5-1-5 mark in those outings. New York has outscored its opponents 17-9 in the first period. By comparison, Calgary has scored first in seven of its 16 games and has a 3-3-1 mark in those games. The Flames have been outscored 19-12 in the first period The Islanders have been outscored 22-10 in third periods and 4-0 in overtimes … Flames captain Mikael Backlund needs one point for 500 in his career and would be the 11th player in franchise history to reach that milestone with the club.