It’s been a tough five game road trip for the Calgary Flames thus far, as 80% of the way through, they have just two of a possible eight points. With a three game home stand in the offing, the Flames will look to finish their time on the road in a strong fashion when they visit the Dallas Stars (6:30 pm, Sportsnet Flames and Sportsnet 960).
Game four of this trip was Tuesday night and saw Calgary fall 4-2 at the hands of the Phoenix Coyotes. It was a disappointing result following a really gutsy win over the Los Angeles Kings one night prior. The Flames have also dropped decisions to Anaheim and San Jose while on the road. We all knew this was going to be a difficult trip for a young Calgary squad, but what’s happened has happened. They still have a chance to salvage two more points and finish things off on a strong note.
Calgary Flames 4-3-2, 6th Pacific Division
- Curtis Glencross-Matt Stajan-Lee Stempniak
- TJ Galiardi-Mikael Backlund-David Jones
- Mike Cammalleri-Sean Monahan-Jiri Hudler
- Lance Bouma-Joe Colborne-Tim Jackman
- Chris Butler-TJ Brodie
- Kris Russell-Dennis Wideman
- Chris Breen-Shane O’Brien
The Flames are making some major lineup changes for tonight, starting with the return of Stajan. He’s missed the last eight games with a deep leg contusion and has really strained Calgary’s depth down the middle. His return tonight gives them much more balance at centre, and Stajan’s return is a welcome one.
With Stajan coming back, Calgary is forced to make another roster move to get down to 23 on their active roster. As such, Roman Horak is on his way back to the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League. He can pass freely through waivers and was just recently recalled.
With another body entering the lineup, a regular has to sit, and that regular will be Sven Baertschi tonight. Head Coach Bob Hartley wants to see more commitment in all three zones from the 2011 first round pick, comparing his situation to that of Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher. This one is mighty curious, as Baertschi has been just fine for my money the last number of games, but Hartley is clearly looking for more.
Mark Giordano missed Tuesday’s games in Phoenix with a lower body injury that surprised a number of people. He didn’t skate this morning, so it looks pretty bleak for him to play this evening. As such, Breen will play his second NHL game after making his debut against the Coyotes. Brian McGrattan will also sit out this evening.
In the two prior games, Calgary has received some help in the injury department. Monday in LA, Cammalleri returned after missing the first seven games of the season with a hand injury. The next night in Phoenix, Jones returned after missing four games with an upper body injury. Both players are welcome returns to the top nine.
Monahan was the big story surrounding the Flames on Wednesday, as the team surprised nobody by announced they’d be keeping their 2013 first round pick for the rest of the season. There’s no doubt in my mind Calgary made the right move. Yes, his entry level deal kicks in early, and yes, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent sooner. But Monahan has proven in nine games he is ready for the NHL. Not only is he third among NHL rookies and second on the team in scoring with nine points, but he’s also just been more than good enough to stick. In some circumstances, a rookie is best served to continue his develop at the highest level as opposed to major junior hockey. This is one of those instances, I believe.
Karri Ramo will get the start in net for Calgary as Joey MacDonald struggled against the Coyotes. For Ramo, it’ll be his third start in four games after sitting out five consecutive in favor of MacDonald. Looking at recent games, I think Ramo gives the Flames a better chance in net, and now it’s on him to continue earning starts with his play.
Dallas Stars 3-5-0, 7th Central Division
- Jamie Benn-Tyler Seguin-Rich Peverley
- Ray Whitney-Cody Eakin-Alex Chiasson
- Valeri Nichushkin-Shawn Horcoff-Erik Cole
- Antoine Roussell-Vern Fiddler-Lane MacDermid
- Brenden Dillon-Stephane Robidas
- Jordie Benn-Trevor Daley
- Kevin Connauton-Sergei Gonchar
The Stars made a ton of moves during the offseason, but to this point, it hasn’t paid off with the early results they were hoping. First and foremost, Dallas hired Lindy Ruff as their Head Coach after spending 15 years in that same capacity with the Buffalo Sabres. It’s only the second NHL coaching stop for Ruff, so we’ll see how things progress. On the ice, things are pretty different, too.
Joining the Stars for this year are Seguin, Peverley, Horcoff, and Gonchar all brought in in different ways during the summer. Gone are Loui Eriksson and Eric Nystrom, along with names like Jaromir Jagr and Eric Roy who were dealt at the trade deadline last season. With that much turnover, it’s only natural for things to take a little while to click.
Seguin has fit in very well in his new surroundings, joining Dallas from Boston in an offseason trade. The former second overall selection of the Bruins has four goals and ten points in the first eight games for the Stars and has found instant chemistry with Jamie Benn. Throwing a smart, veteran player like Peverley on that top line makes them a fairly formidable unit.
Watch for two rookie standouts in the Stars lineup tonight, as well. Chiasson is sixth in rookie scoring with three goals and six points in eight games. Chiasson is a Dallas second round pick from 2009; he played three years at Boston University before turning pro full time for the 2012-2013 seasons. Nichushkin, on the other hand, was the first round pick of the Stars this year, going tenth overall. He has one assist in seven games as an 18-year-old.
Dallas is making one significant change in the lineup, scratching Alex Goligoski in favour of Connauton. Goligiski has yet to record a point in the eight games he’s played and is -10 on the season while the young Connauton will make his NHL debut.
Kari Lehtonen will start in net for Dallas tonight after missing the last five games with a lower body injury. The team has returned Jack Campbell to Austin of the American Hockey League and will continue with Lehtonen and Dan Ellis as their goaltending tandem.