Calgary, winless in four games, has dropped four consecutive outings to the cellar-dwelling Blackhawks
Flames (21-22-5, 47 points) versus Chicago Blackhawks (22-20-2, 46 points)
For what it’s worth considering their long playoff odds, the Calgary Flames are gunning to end a horrible homestand with a win that would put them back to the NHL’s version of a .500 record.
It would also give the flickering Flames some life as they head into their bye week/all-star break.
At first blush, the Flames should be the big-time favourites when they play host to the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday night, especially with the Blackhawks winless in 19 consecutive road games (0-18-1), which has them all the way to the bottom of the league standings and the Flames motivated to end their four-game losing skid.
That is until you remember the Flames have lost their last four games against the cellar-dwelling Blackhawks, including a 4-3 game in the Windy City earlier this month.
“We want to finish playing really well, go into the break feeling better about ourselves,” captain Mikael Backlund told the media after the morning skate.
“We have more to give. Tonight it’s all about winning one game.”
In the morning skate, the forward lines and defence pairings were given an extensive makeover from those used last outing. As well, the fourth line will have Walker Duehr back in the lineup in place of the injured A.J. Greer.
Martin Pospisil took part in the morning skate, but is not expected to play and will miss his fourth game
Not only have the Blackhawks failed to win a road game since early November, but in big part due to their injury woes — a list that includes rookie rising star Connor Bedard — they are having horrible time scoring.
Chicago has been shut out in two of three games, has scored two or fewer goals in 12 of 14 games and all but one of its last nine. The Blackhawks have managed only 10 goals in their lat nine outings.
Here’s a look at Calgary’s expected lineup:
Forwards:
Jonathan Huberdeau-Nazem Kadri-Connor Zary
Yegor Sharangovich-Elias Lindholm-Matt Coronato
Andrew Mangiapane-Mikael Backlund-Blake Coleman
Walker Duehr-Cole Schwindt-Adam Klapka
Defence:
Noah Hanifin-Chris Tanev
Dennis Gilbert-Rasmus Andersson
Oliver Kylington-MacKenzie Weegar
Extra: Jordan Oesterle
Goal:
Jacob Markstrom
Dan Vladar
Markstrom has a 9-3-4 career record (one shutout) against Chicago with a 2.70 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. Vladar has a career 0-1-1 mark against the Blackhawks, with a 3.05 GAA and .853 SvPct.
Here is the potential roster for the Blackhawks:
Forwards:
Nick Foligno-Philipp Kurashev-Taylor Raddysh
Colin Blackwell-Jason Dickinson-Joey Anderson
Lukas Reichel-MacKenzie Entwistle-Ryan Donato
Boris Katchouk-Zach Sanford-Reese Johnson
Defence:
Alex Vlasic-Seth Jones
Kevin Korchinski-Jaycob Megna
Jarred Tinordi-Isaak Phillips
Goal:
Petr Mrazek
Arvid Soderblom
Mrazek boasts an 5-2-2 record, 2.89 GAA and .905 SvPct. against Calgary. Soderblom’s lone game against Calgary was his first NHL starting assignment on Jan. 2, 2022, a game in which he surrendered four goals in 5-1 Calgary victory.
ICE CHIPS: It should come as no surprise but the Blackhawks have the league’s worst power play (12.6 percent) overall, although the Flames have the league’s worst home power play (10.3%) … Calgary’s penalty kill has climbed to third overall at 84.1% … Flames D MacKenzie Weegar is riding a career-best three-game goal-scoring streak … Of the Blackhawks on their active roster, only LW Nick Foligno (13 points) and LW Zach Sanford (10 points) are in double-digits in their career against Calgary.