Calgary Flames Host Winnipeg Jets Tonight At The Saddledome

Photo Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight, back at home in the Saddledome, the Flames host the Winnipeg Jets.

The Jets have won 20 of their 48 games are in 25th place in the standings with 45 points while the Flames sit just ahead of the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres with 38 points. Calgary has won only 16 of their 47 games.

As announced on the Jets website, Head Coach Claude Noel and Assistant Coach Perry Pearn have been relieved of their duties. Paul Maurice has replaced Claude Noel, and it always seems that teams start doing a little better during games after situations like this happen, if only temporarily. Maurice has previously coached the Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers and the Toronto Maple Leafs and has a record of 460-457-167 in 14 seasons. As well, Dustin Byfuglien has eight points in six games. Tonight could be a tough battle for the Flames.

Calgary will have to be alert, focused, and attentive throughout a full sixty minutes in order to beat the Jets tonight. If Mikael Backlund can keep motivated, playing the way he has been as a leader, and if Jiri Hudler could continue with the set-up and execution of plays, the Flames could score some valuable goals. If Ladislav Smid, Mark Giordano, and Dennis Wideman can hold down the back end of the Flames zone like the leaders they are, the Flames may be able to ward off some precious goals to keep them in the game.

Curtis Glencross, Kris Russell, and Blair Jones are still on the IR, while Mike Cammalleri and David Jones are still out of tonight’s line-up.

Go Flames Go!