7:09 pm
December 2

Flames @ Blackhawks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Calgary Flames (15-9-2)

@ Chicago Blackhawks (9-13-5)

 

Starting Goalies:

Mike Smith (CGY): Confirmed

Corey Crawford (CHI): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Calgary Flames: (-145)

Chicago Blackhawks: (+125)

 

• The Calgary Flames have vaulted to the top of the Pacific Division standings behind a potent offense and a suddenly stingy defense, and have a good chance of strengthening their position when they visit the struggling Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. Calgary is 5-1-1 in its last seven games after holding Los Angeles to 14 shots in Friday’s 4-1 victory with goaltender Mike Smith improving his save percentage by 20 points in winning his last two games. Matthew Tkachuk have recorded a team-high 29 points apiece for the Flames, who have not won a division title since 2005-06.

• Chicago lost at Nashville 5-2 on Saturday for its third straight setback and is 3-11-3 since a promising start, including 3-7-2 after Jeremy Colliton took the coaching reins from Joel Quenneville on Nov. 6. Calgary prevailed 5-3 on Nov. 3 for its fourth straight victory over the Blackhawks as Monahan scored twice, giving him 10 goals in 16 games versus Chicago.

• Gaudreau (10 goals) has scored in two straight games and in four of his last six while Tkachuk (12 goals) recorded two assists Friday after being kept off the scoresheet in three straight games. Mikael Backlund scored twice Friday, giving him four multi-point games this season to account for 11 of his 16 points. Monahan (27 points) scored nine goals in 13 November games while Elias Lindholm (26 points) recorded two assists Friday in his 400th career game and has eight points (two goals) in his last eight contests.

• Artem Anisimov, who scored 20 or more goals in his first three seasons with Chicago, recorded his fifth in 2018-19 on Saturday and has goals in consecutive games for the first time this season. Patrick Kane had an assist versus Nashville, giving him a team-high 30 points and five during a four-game point streak. Rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju (10 assists) returned Saturday after missing the last two games because of illness and played 20:02.

• The Blackhawks are 1-5-2 versus the Pacific Division this season, getting outscored 29-14.

• Calgary and Colorado are tied for the league lead with 40 third-period goals apiece.

• Chicago is 0-for-12 on the power play in its last six games.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Calgary Flames
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