Game Preview: Coyotes vs. Flames

For the fourth time in the last forty days, the Calgary Flames (33-25-12) get to face the Phoenix Coyotes (35-25-11), this time at 7 pm mountain at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Let’s see what’s changed since the last time these two teams faced each other, and what we might expect in this game.

The Coyotes are sitting in 8th place in the Western Conference, having won two games in the month of March, and are three points above the Flames in the standings. They’re in the middle of the a three game Western Canada swing, having beaten the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, and heading off to see the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. Despite being in a precarious playoff position, the Coyotes are not out of the division race, standing only a few points behind the division leading Dallas Stars. Phoenix has been a team much like the Flames’ reputation: Strong defensively, but weak on offense, ranking sixth overall in goals against, but 21st in goals scored (The Flames are 14th and 23rd, respectively).

The Flames needed overtime to beat the Coyotes’ division rival San Jose Sharks, an outcome that probably pleased no one in this group. The Flames are a solid 4-1-2 in the month of March, and have recorded points in 16 of their last 19 games. It’s a crowded bottom half of the Western Conference- Jarome Iginla will need to continue his hot play, and Matt Stajan will want to continue earning his top-line minutes as he did in Tuesday’s game against San Jose.

Look for another tight game here: the Coyotes are playing the second half of a back-to-back, and might be tired after a win in Vancouver. Goaltenders Mike Smith and Miikka Kiprusoff are both very solid, and neither team has a lot of offensive punch. Given how tight the Western Conference playoff race is, both teams should be ready to go.

Go Flames Go!