Ottawa Senators
8-4-4
VS
Calgary Flames
10-6-2
Game 1: 10:00 PM EST
ScotiaBank Saddledome Calgary,ALB
Air Canada Centre Toronto,Ont
TV: CBC, TVA2
MATCHUP HISTORY
The Ottawa Senators play the Calgary Flames in their first meeting of the season. The teams will play each other once more on Sunday, March 8th. The two split the season series last season. Ottawa won a 6-3 game at home, Calgary won a 4-1 game at home. Since these teams play in different conferences, they are not the most familiar of foes.
Kyle Turris lead the Senators with four points in the games last season, Sean Monahan led the Flames with three. Both teams look to continue rolling as both won their last games. The Senators with a thrilling over time winner against the Edmonton Oilers, the Calgary Flames with a convincing win over the Arizona Coyotes.
LAST GAMES
Ottawa Senators @ Edmonton Oilers 4-3 W
Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes 5-3 W
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sean Monahan has the potential to play a big role in this game. He has consistently shown his goal scoring ability this season. He leads the Calgary Flames with seven goals.
Mark Giordano has been excellent creating chances from the blue line. Giordana leads the Flames with fourteen assists and twenty points.
Mike Hoffman will look to continue his high level of play. He is tied for the Senators lead in goals with seven. Hoffman is tied with Clarke MacArthur although Hoffman has played three less games. Hoffman was huge against the Oilers. He scored two goals, including the overtime winner.
Erik Karlsson is always a player to watch. He could be maligned for a give away or praised for an amazing goal. Karlsson will play a ton of minutes and be a factor in this game.
TOP 3 STORYLINES
1. Possession – The Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames both have solid records. They also both have poor puck possession numbers. The Flames 43.48 Even Strength Corsi% is third worst in the league, the Senators 47.23 Even Strength Corsi% is sixth worst. Whether you believe Corsi to be a useful stat/tool or not is out of my control. The one thing I would like to point out is that it is a fact that these teams are typically outshot.
Even strength play is the best way to analyze a team as it is not biased by the man advantage. Most of a hockey game is played at even strength. It will be interesting to see which of these teams dominates puck possession. Both the Flames and Senators have been fortunate to have solid performances by their goalies this season. Without solid goaltending both teams would have far worse records. Who will come out of this game with more shots/more goals?
2. Goaltending – The Ottawa Senators are starting Craig Anderson while the Calgary Flames will start Jonas Hiller. Both teams are playing their ace goalies. Ottawa gives up 35.73 shots a game, third worst in the league. Craig Anderson has an impressive .942 save percentage going into this game. Jonas Hiller has a respectable .922 save percentage. Craig Anderson’s ability to stop a large volume of shots will play a huge factor in this game. Who will deliver the better goaltending performance.
3. Young Guns – The Ottawa Senators are rolling with an impressive line: Mike Hoffman,Curtis Lazar and Mark Stone. These young players have done everything management could have hoped for. The chemistry appears to be very strong on this line. It is an exciting time to be a Senators fan. The match up with the Flames could see more goal scoring from this impressive young line.
ENJOY WATCHING/LISTENING TO THE GAME!