Calgary Flames At Boston Bruins – Pregame Notes
By Traci Kay
Photo Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
For the second time in one week, the Calgary Flames will take on the Boston Bruins. Just last week, I sat in the Saddledome and watched the Flames welcome home Jarome Iginla. A few of the Bruins were fighting with the flu in Calgary as the Flames took a one-goal lead in the second period. Yet, the Bruins, true to form, came back in the third period to score two quick ones and won the game 2-1.
The flu that plagued the Bruins last week was obvious when they hit the ice. Their pace was slower, their Big Bad Bruins persona was fuzzy, the hits were minimal, and they just didn’t seem to be the team I was use to watching. But it seems that the sickness has subsided and the Bruins may give us a run for our money tonight in Boston.
Offense will be the key to the Flames holding off the Bruins. If Backlund can keep up his pace, if Cammalleri can step up with a knee-drop goal, and if Hudler can bury a shot from the side boards, the Flames may be contenders against one of the strongest teams in the league right now. Calgary will need three full periods of hard-hitting, physical hockey to have a fighting chance tonight at TD Garden. If they can keep up the pressure and work together as a solid unit for the entirety of the game, they may be able to hold off the Bruins in their own arena. They will need to wear the Bruins down with persistence and perseverance.
Even though Wideman is still out with an injury, the Bruins seem to be troubled with injuries as well. Paille has concussion-like symptoms, Eriksson has a concussion, Adam McQuaid and Dougie Hamilton are both out with lower-body injuries, and Chris Kelly has a broken ankle. But the Flames should be prepared to fight in spite of all the Bruins injuries because the Boston team is known for their depth and they don’t back down that easily.
From what I understand, Reto Berra will start in net tonight for the Flames and Kristin Hallett announced on twitter this morning that Johnny Gaudreau may be in the line-up tonight as well.
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