Calgary Flames Daily: Needing a win vs. Montreal Canadiens tonight
After a heartbreaking loss last night vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Calgary Flames desperately need a win tonight vs. the Montreal Canadiens.
After a hard fought battle by the Calgary Flames, they definitely deserved two points last night. But unfortunately, Frederik Andersen was ready for whatever the Flames threw at him, and he stopped 47 of 48 shots that came his way. The Flames lost in the shootout. They’ve now lost three in a row and have outperformed their last two teams.
#Flames have gotten 1 of 4 possible points in the last two games where they’ve outshot their opponent a cumulative 93-50.
— Christian Roatis (@croatis) December 7, 2017
Wow.
They definitely deserve a win tonight if they play like they have been the last couple of games. They’re playing again tonight against the Montreal Canadiens so they’ll have to bring it even more since they’re playing the second game of a back-to-back.
Related Story: Flames lose in shootout despite dominating Leafs
Via CBC Sports:
“Just stick with it,” the younger Jankowski said, prior to the Flames 2-1 shootout loss in Toronto against the Maple Leafs. “You have to believe in yourself, believe in your teammates, trust yourself and trust each other, we know we have a good team here.”“We know we have to be better,” Jankowski said. “We have it in this room to be a great team, we need to live up to our expectations.”
David Rittich will get the start in net tonight since Mike Smith played last night. Matthew Tkachuk will still be a decision we’ll have to hear about later today because he has a call with NHLPS about his spear from the bench.
A lot of Flames fans were somewhat frustrated that he was suspended for his little poke on Luke Witkowski in the game vs. the Detroit Red Wings. But it seems like every Flames fan has said that this was a dumb move by Tkachuk. He’ll learn as time goes, but this was a rookie move and I won’t be surprised if he’s fined and suspended. In fact, I’d even encourage it. A spear from the bench is never necessary.
Related Story: All repercussions vs. Detroit Red Wings
#Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan on LW Matthew Tkachuk. Flames are still awaiting word on potential discipline for Tkachuk's spear from bench last night ... pic.twitter.com/bP4XqRHge2
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) December 7, 2017
Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock on #Flames LW Matthew Tkachuk's spear from bench: “That’s junior hockey stuff. He’ll learn over time. But man, you gotta give Tkachuk credit. He played a good game. He played hard. No reason for that stuff.”
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) December 7, 2017
Jaromir Jagr will also be a game-time decision. He had a lower-body injury and missed one game last week and missed one last night. Head coach Glen Gulutzan has said that he’ll be a game-time decision. But let’s hope the Calgary Flames keep that momentum from last night.
Flames Tweet of the day
Hockey Tweet of the day
The Ottawa Senators, in 3 tweets. pic.twitter.com/C6wLLzIS0P
— Bonk's Mullet (@BonksMullet) December 7, 2017
Some links surrounding the Flames
Flames Thoughts: Calgary deserved a better fate against Maple Leafs (Sportsnet).
Calgary Flames’ Matthew Tkachuk faces hearing for Toronto Maple Leafs spearing incident (Global News).
Flames’ Jankowski knows team is capable of more despite recent struggles (CBC Sports).
Game Day: Canadiens cancel morning skate again before facing Flames (Montreal Gazette).
Calgary Flames at Canadiens: Five things you should know (Montreal Gazette).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
2018 NHL All-Star Game: Ovechkin, McDavid among early leaders (Puck Prose).
Four things we learned in NHL: Blackhawks faltering in D.C. (Sportsnet).
Organizational goalie depth proving critical this season (NHL.com).
Schultz placed on injured reserve by Penguins (NHL.com).
Next: Flames ranked 19th most valuable NHL team
That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!