[8:38 PM] Flames @ Blackhawks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Calgary Flames (1-4-1)

@ Chicago Blackhawks (3-3-0)

 

Starting Goalies:

Brian Elliot  (CGY): Confirmed

Corey Crawford (CHI): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Calgary Flames: (+150)

Chicago Blackhawks: (-170)

 

Since opening the season with a home loss, the Chicago Blackhawks have run off three consecutive victories at the United Center and hope to extend their streak to four when the Calgary Flames pay a visit on Monday. Chicago dropped a 5-2 home decision to St. Louis in its first contest but quickly found its footing in its own building, posting triumphs over Nashville, Philadelphia and Toronto.

Troy Brouwer, who spent the first five seasons of his NHL career with Chicago, has gotten off to a good start with Calgary. The 31-year-old right wing, who is in his first season with the Flames after making stops in Washington and St. Louis, shares the team lead of three goals with former Blackhawks teammate Michael Frolik and is tied with three players for first on the club with four points. Brian Elliott likely will be in net searching for his first win with Calgary after going 0-3-0 with a 4.72 goals-against average and .839 save percentage in his initial three starts.

Panik’s game-tying goal on Saturday was his sixth tally of the season, giving him the league lead heading into Sunday’s action. It also gave the 25-year-old Slovakian the same total he accumulated in 30 contests with Chicago last season. Marian Hossa returned to action against Toronto after missing one game with a lower-body injury he suffered versus Philadelphia on Tuesday in a contest in which he scored his 500th career goal.

Flames LW Johnny Gaudreau has recorded just one goal and two assists in his first six games after registering team highs of 30 tallies and 78 points in 79 contests last season.

Chicago D Trevor van Riemsdyk is expected to be sidelined for a month with an upper-body injury.

Calgary ranks last in the league on the power play, going a dismal 1-for-25 (four percent) as it enters Monday scoreless in 22 consecutive opportunities.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Chicago Blackhawks

Confidence: 6/10

Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick