It’s not going to be an easy game in Detroit today as these aren’t the Red Wings of the past few years.
Calgary Flames 2-2-1 (5 pts) @ Detroit Red Wings 4-1-0 (8 pts), 3PM MT, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit MI
Where To Watch: SN
Where To Listen: Sportsnet 960
Odds: Calgary Flames (-120) – Detroit Red Wings (+100) – O/U: 6.5 (Draft Kings)
Head To Head
| Calgary Flames | Detroit Red Wings | |
| 2-2-1 | Record | 4-1-0 |
| 5 | Points | 8 |
| 4th Pacific | Division | 2nd Atlantic |
| 1-0-0 | Home Record | 2-0-0 |
| 1-2-1 | Road Record | 2-1-0 |
| 14 | GF | 24 |
| 16 | GA | 13 |
| 16.7 (19th) | PP | 50.0 (1st) |
| 94.1 (5th) | PK | 85.7 (10th) |
| Ruzicka (2) | Goals Leader | DeBrincat (5) |
| Lindholm (6) | Points Leader | Larkin (9) |
| Huberdeau (12) | PIM | Larkin (9) |
| Markstrom (.905) | Save% | Husso (.901) |
| 83-83-16 | Overall VS | 83-83-16 |
Calgary will try to get back in the win column this afternoon when they take on the Detroit Red Wings in the Motor City. The Flames are coming off an uninspiring loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday that saw Rasmus Andersson cheap shot Patrik Laine as time was about to expire. That nonsensical hit lead to Andersson being slapped with a four game suspension by the league on Saturday. Calgary and Andersson are going to appeal, but the team will be without one of it’s best defenders and assistant captain for today.
And that’s just more bad news piling up in front of Jacob Markstrom. The Calgary keeper has been a rock for the team so far, yet nothing in front of him is working. While he’s keeping pucks out, the team in front of him is struggling to score and at times defend. Case in point, Friday night. Markstrom stopped 26 of 28, upped his Save% and decreased his GAA, yet the Flames could only score once against a relatively untested goalie in Spencer Martin. Calgary just doesn’t seem to have the offence at 5 on 5 and it’s worse with the man advantage. The Flames PP is operating at 16.7%, which is 19th best in the league and today probably isn’t going to be the best day to try and up that percentage.
The Detroit Red Wings come into this contest 2nd in the Atlantic Division and team with a lot of fire power. They lead the NHL is GF so far with 24 and their PP is tops at 50%. The Wings have seven players with multiple goals on the season, led by Alex DeBrincat and his five tallies. So this isn’t going to be the Red Wings of the past that are an easy out when you visit their rink. Not only is the offense clicking, but their goaltending has been spot on as well. Ville Husso is 3-1-0 with a 3.04 GAA and a .901 SV% and the Flames are probably wishing they were seeing him. Instead Calgary gets NHL vet James Reimer who has started one game this season and shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets by stopping 23 of 23. So the team the Flames could only muster one goal against and gave up three against couldn’t do a thing against Reimer. This, on paper, is setting up to be an ugly matinee matchup.
Calgary has won 83 games over the years against Detroit, but the majority of those 83 have come at the Saddledome. The Flames are 31-49-10 when visiting the Red Wings though the tide is turning. Calgary is 6-4-0 in their last ten visits and are 3-1-0 in their last four.
Starting Goalies (E= Expected, C= Confirmed)
Calgary Flames: Markstrom(E): 1-2-1, 2.75 GAA, .905 SV%
Detroit Red Wings: Reimer (C): 1-0-0, 0.00 GA, 1.000 SV%
Injury Report
Calgary Flames: Rooney (IR/Shoulder), Kylington (IR-LT/Personal), Pelletier (IR/Shoulder)
Detroit Red Wings: Fabbri (IR/LBI), Luff (IR/UBI), Mazur (IR-NR/LBI)
Game Social
@NHLFlames, @DetroitRedWings, #LGRW, #Flames, @redmilehockey, @wingingitinmotown, #CGYvsDET
What’s Happening With The Opposition?
FHF Detroit Red Wings Coverage: Winging It In Motown
Last Time Out
Calgary Flames 1 – Columbus Blue Jackets 3
Detroit Red Wings 5 – Ottawa Senators 2
Players To Watch
Calgary Flames
Noah Hanifin (D): Noah Hanifin is reportedly looking to resign (like now) with the Flames and has played well against Detroit over his career. In 16 games he has a goal and six assist.
Detroit Red Wings
Dylan Larkin (C): Larkin has feasted on the Flames over his career and today he’ll look to add to his totals. In 14 games Larkin has 7 goals and 7 assists when facing Calgary.