9:45 pm
May 7

Flames @ Stars

Who will WIN this matchup?

Calgary Flames (50-21-11)

@ Dallas Stars (46-30-6)

 

Starting Goalies:

Jacob Markstrom (CGY): Unconfirmed

Jake Oettinger (DAL): Likely

 

Current odds:

Calgary Flames: (-164)

Dallas Stars: (+138)

 

• The Calgary Flames are battling their own history, as well as the Dallas Stars, in their Western Conference first-round series. Heading into Saturday’s Game 3 at Dallas, the Flames are well aware of the parallels between their recent playoff failures, especially after a 2-0 defeat to the Stars on Thursday that has the best-of-seven series tied 1-1. The Flames won their opening playoff game in the first round in both 2019 and 2020, but lost both second games on the way to being eliminated.

• The Flames, who won the opener 1-0 against the Stars on Tuesday, are getting placed under the microscope. Despite being one of the highest-scoring teams in the league, an early Game 1 power-play goal by Elias Lindholm in the opener is their only score, despite holding a significant edge in shots.

• A big factor in Calgary’s offensive struggles has been Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger, who has risen to the occasion in his first two NHL playoff starts. Oettinger has stopped 54 of 55 shots and has a shutout streak of 114 minutes, 59 seconds.

• For his part, Oettinger appears to be unfazed by the situation and unconcerned about personal accolades, such as being the youngest goaltender in franchise history to record a playoff shutout.

• The Dallas skaters deserve credit for the job they have done limiting Calgary’s quality opportunities. The Flames have not been generating as many chances off the rush, nor second chances after Oettinger has made a save.

• It should help their confidence that the Stars won with that gameplan. After all, they remain the underdogs, even if they now own home-ice advantage.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Calgary Flames
Previous Pick
Next Pick