Red Hot Elias Lindholm Will Try To Lead The Flames Past The Senators

Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators, 7:00 PM MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary AB

TV: ESPN+, SNW – Radio: Sportsnet 960

Calgary Flames (19-22-3, 41 pts) – Ottawa Senators (15-26-4, 34 pts)

NHL Standings

Most teams looking to advance in their division and close the gap on the team that is in front of them would be happy to see the lowly Ottawa Senators, but that’s not the case with the Calgary Flames. Calgary is 2-4-1 against the Sens and have dropped four of their last five against the worst team in the North Division.

Calgary is looking at it’s playoff chances sliding further away in the rear view mirror. What could have been a two point gap between the Flames and Canadiens is now six as Calgary dropped their last game to Montreal 2-1. After tonight’s contest the Flames have most of the week off before a pivotal and season defining three game set with Montreal. But if the Flames have learned anything from 2021, taking Ottawa lightly isn’t a good thing as the Senators have done plenty of damage to the Flames this season.

In an odd way, Ottawa helped the Flames by defeating Montreal 4-0 the last time they took the ice. The win was only their third in their last 10 games and at this point Ottawa is playing for pride and as a spoiler. If the Sens win tonight it will push their season series lead to 6-2-0 and mark the first time they’ve taken a season series from the Flames since 2017. Granted they only played each other twice a season, but that still has to count for something.

A little confidence from a win tonight would do the Flames some good as they are staring down the barrel of what could be their entire season condensed into three games starting on Friday.

Starting Goalies (E=Expected, C=Confirmed)

Flames: Markstrom (E): 15-15-2, 2.79 GAA, .903 SV%

Senators: Murray (E): 8-13-1, 3.62 GAA, .886 SV%

Team Leaders

Flames: Goals- Gaudreau (15), Points- Lindholm (38), PIM- Tkachuk (43), Save%- Markstrom (.903)

Senators: Goals- Batherson (15), Points- Batherson (28), PIM: Tkachuk (49). Save%- Murray (.886)

What’s Happening With The Opposition?

Ottawa Senators Coverage: Silver Seven Sens

Last Time Out

Players To Watch

Calgary Flames

Elias Lindholm (C): 7 points in last 5 games

Ottawa Senators

Thomas Chabot (D): 8 assists in 7 games against the Flames this season

by Mark Parkinson