Game Preview #4 – Reignite

Calgary Flames at Columbus Blue Jackets

October 17, 2014 – 7:00 pm EDT
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
Radio – WBNS 97.1 – TV – Fox Sports Ohio
Opponent’s Blog: Matchsticks and Gasoline

Well, the Jackets have had a couple of days to stew about Tuesday’s loss and the slow start that defined it. Meanwhile, the Flames are defying expectations (well, mine, anyway) in getting off to a hot start with a three game winning streak. They’re not exactly setting the world on fire [rim shot], but they’re doing what they have to do to win.

Jonas Hiller’s incredible 49-save effort the other night highlights their strength thus far: they have allowed the most shots in the league (183), are second-worst in the league in shots-allowed per game (36.6). But, their goaltenders are saving 93.4% of the shots they’ve faced, having allowed just 12 (non empty-net) goals on a total of 182 shots.

Hiller isn’t playing tonight, but Karri Ramo hasn’t exactly been a slouch, either.

For the Jackets, not many changes, other than Marko Dano not being in after missing the last two days of practice with an undisclosed injury.

It’s going to come down to Columbus coming out and playing hard early, establishing their speed and forecheck, and not letting Calgary get comfortable. The Flames aren’t a high scoring team to this point, but their goaltending has kept them in games and allowed them to hang around and capitalize. The Jackets can’t let them do this.

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets
(2-1-0, 4 Points; 5th division, 8th conference)

Calgary Flames
(3-2-0, 6 Points; 4th Division, 4th Conference)

Season Series

10/17/14 – Calgary at Columbus
03/21/15 – Columbus at Calgary

Head to Head Stats