Calgary Flames Predictions and Preview of the Week January 16-22
Tuesday January 17th – FLA @ CGY
The Florida Panthers right now have 48 points in 45 games and are 20-17-8. This is quite similar to the Calgary Flames record right now, with them going 23-20-3 and have 49 points in 46 games.
The Panthers right now have won three of their last five and are 4-3-0 in 2017. Slightly better than the Flames lately who are 3-3-1 in 2017. But good news for the Flames is that they’ve won four of their last five games on home-ice. However, the Panthers have won their last four games on the road and are coming off of a win against one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Panthers aren’t the best on the power-play, being 24th overall with 14.9%. This is versus the Flames 20.3% PP. On top of that since the start of December, the Flames are first overall on the PP with 31.9% versus the Panthers 14.9%. In the new year, the Panthers are at a mere 8.9% on the PP. So if the Flames can keep their penalty killing in check like they’ve been doing as of late, they could walk away with the two points.
Even though the Flames’ PP is good, it’s going against one of the best PK teams in the league this season. So the Flames need to find some way to capitalize with the man advantage.
Players to watch on the Panthers:
- Vincent Trocheck: Currently on a four-game point streak with seven points in that stretch.
- Jaromir Jagr: For the sole reason that he is 44 years old and I love his mullet
Players to watch on the Flames:
- Sam Bennett: Is currently on a scoring drought, but had a four-goal game the last time the Panthers were in town
If the Flames can get some help with secondary scoring by Sam Bennett in this game, they’ll be fine.
Thursday January 19th – NSH @ CGY
The Calgary Flames will continue their home stance against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. The Flames right now are 23-20-3 versus the Preds 20-16-7. The Preds are have 47 points compared to the Flames 49 points, however the Flames have a few games on hand on the Preds. So really, the Preds are in a playoff spot, points-percentage wise, while the Flames are one spot out.
The Predators right now have won their last three games and are 4-2-1 in 2017.
The Predators aren’t doing much worse than the Flames on the PP over the year. However since the start of December, they’re only 11.5% versus the Flames 31.9%. The Predators haven’t scored a power-play goal in their last five games and only have a 5.0% PP success rate in the New Year.
They’re also doing quite decent on the PK with 82.7% overall and 90.5% in the New Year.
The last time the Flames and Predators met which was last season, the Flames won 3-2 in overtime. But these are now two different teams so who knows what the outcome will be.
This game will be a bit of a challenge for the Flames because this is almost like a playoff game in a sense. However if they can take advantage of the Preds’ low PP success rate and not let them get PP opportunities, they could walk away with two points. Even if it has to go to OT.
Players to watch on the Predators:
- Austin Watson: On a four-game point streak
- Mike Fisher: Six points in his last six games; had two points against the Flames in their last meeting.
Players to watch on the Flames:
- Johnny Gaudreau: Had two goals in their last meeting
- Sean Monahan: On a two-game goal streak, went goalless in his previous 11 games.
Saturday January 21st – EDM @ CGY
The Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers will face off in their fourth Battle of Alberta of the season. The Edmonton Oilers won the previous three, which is the first time they have won three straight against the Flames since 1999.
In the first three match-ups, the Flames were shorthanded a total of 12 times and allowed four goals on those 12 times. They had the man advantage nine times and only managed to take advantage once. They did, however, in the first meeting which was the season-opener, score two short-handed goals.
Related Story: Will This Non-Existent Battle of Alberta Come Back To Life?
The Flames have gotten drastically better on the PP and PK since the start of the season. In the New Year for the Oilers however, their special teams aren’t doing too great. Since the start of January, they’re only 11.8% on the PP and only have a 75.0% penalty-killing success rate. If the Flames can stay disciplined and not let Connor McDavid get any breakaways, maybe they can hopefully win their first Battle of Alberta this season.
Players to watch on the Oilers:
- Leon Draisaitl: Has four points in his last three games including a shootout goal.
- Patrick Maroon: Has 18 goals on the season, six of them coming in the New Year.
Players to watch on the Flames:
- Sean Monahan: Has goals in two straight games against the Oilers.
- Dougie Hamilton: Currently on a three-game point streak with four points in that stretch.
- Matthew Tkachuk: Maybe he’ll finally keep his mouth-guard in his mouth. Haha just kidding. That’ll never happen.
Next: Are Flames Fans Rightfully Frustrated By The Officiating?
If the Flames manage to walk away with four points of a possible six, that’ll be a successful week for them. Especially with how last week went. If they can win the next two-thirds of their remaining games, the playoffs are definitely within reach.