RANDY SPORTAK
Calgary Sun
Flames vs. Canadiens
TIME: 7 p.m.
TV: Sportsnet Flames
RADIO: Sportsnet 960 The FAN
THE MAIN STORYLINE:
The Saddledome will be rocking more than usual on a Tuesday night with the Eastern Conference-leading Montreal Canadiens in town. The Habs always have a big following in these parts, but seeing as they’re off to a hot start, watch for a huge amount of bleu, blance, rouge sweaters in the crowd when they are hosted by a Flames squad with just one win in four home dates.
LINEUP NOTES:
Flames RW David Jones will return to the lineup after missing the last eight games due to a lower-body injury.
LW/RW Mason Raymond, who is tied for the team lead with five goals, is out on a week-to-week basis due to a shoulder injury after a hit by Brooks Orpik late in the Washington game. Raymond was placed on the injured reserved list to make a spot on the 23-man roster for Jones.
Jonas Hiller is tabbed to start in goal as the Flames continue their rotation between the pipes.
For the Habs, expect Carey Price in goal for the team which lost 3-0 in Edmonton Monday night.
BURNING QUESTION:
Will losing his temper in reaction to a player jamming at his goalie last game be what LW Curtis Glencross needs to get his mojo? The pending unrestricted free-agent winger has just one goal and three points in the first 10 games of the season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Flames: D Dennis Wideman will look to extend his goal-scoring streak to five games, which would tie a franchise record for a defenceman, set by Gary Suter in 1988.
Canadiens: RW Rene Bourque has no goals, one assist and a team-worst minus-6 rating in nine games this season. Let’s see if facing his former team can light a fire.
FAST FACT:
Canadiens goalie Carey Price has a career record of 2-4-0, with one shutout, and a 3.04 goals-against average in his career when going against Calgary. The Flames have won their last seven home games against the Habs.
QUOTE TO NOTE:
“It’s all about their speed. Turnovers for us, we have to keep them to a very, very low minimum. They’re a great skating hockey club, not only their forwards but their d-men. It’s a young team that’s really exciting to watch because they have lots of speed and are pretty gifted around the net, so we can’t give them too many chances.” – Flames head coach Bob Hartley.
Flames Lines
FORWARDS
Jiri Hudler-Sean Monahan-Joe Colborne
Johnny Gaudreau-Mikael Backlund-Paul Byron
Curtis Glencross-Matt Stajan-David Jones
Brandon Bollig-Lance Bouma-Josh Jooris
DEFENCE
Mark Giordano-TJ Brodie
Kris Russell-Dennis Wideman
Ladislav Smid-Deryk Engelland
GOAL
Jonas Hiller
Karri Ramo
SCRATCHES: RW Devin Setoguchi, RW Brian McGrattan, D Raphael Diaz
INJURED: C Sam Bennett (shoulder), LW Mason Raymond (upper body) are out.
randy.sportak@sunmedia.ca
On Twitter: @SunRandySportak
