The Wings will face the Calgary Flames for the first time this season tonight at the Joe. The two teams split their 2005-2006 meetings 2-2, with the Wings winning the first (6-3) and last (2-1) games, and the Flames winning the middle two (1-3, 2-3). They’ll face each other three more times this season after tonight.
The Flames are 14th in the Conference with a 3-6-1 record and have lost two in a row, including a 4-2 loss to the traveling Washtington Capitals Monday night. Their efforts at stopping this losing streak will not be helped by the fact that they will be away from home for the next three games - they have lost four in a row on the road. Then again, they will be headed to Columbus next and then St. Louis so maybe it won’t be so hard.
One reason for the Flames’ early season troubles is goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, who was ridiculously good last season with a 2.07 GAA, .923 save percentage, and 10 shutouts. This year, however, he has a 2.82 GAA and a .908 save percentage, with just one shutout (he also only had one shutout by this point in the season last year). Kiprusoff isn’t the only reason the team is struggling, as blame rests more on the offense, which is 27th in the league in scoring with 25 goals.
However, for once Flames fans, apparently, can’t pin blame on Jarome Iginla, who usually starts out seasons slow. The Calgary Herald reports that Iginla leads the team with six goals and eleven points so far. It’s his teammates that aren’t producing and GM Darryl Sutter is fed up, according to the Calgary Sun. He called up two minor league players yesterday in order to send a message to his team that there will be replacements in the lineup if they don’t get on track.
The NHL’s preview predicts Kiprusoff may sit tonight so we could see Jamie McLennan instead.
The Wings are looking to win their fourth in a row after dropping three on a road trip between October 16th and 19th. Tonight will be their first game back after a successful two-game road trip to Dallas, where they won 4-3 Friday night, and St. Louis, where they won 3-2 on Saturday. Unfortunatly, the homestand doesn’t begin quite yet, as the team will have to travel to Chicago to face the Blackhawks tomorrow night.
The Freep discusses the Flames today, noting that they are considered to be one of the better teams in the conference, and reminding us that they have just had a bad start. The Wings know this and are expecting a “tough” game tonight.
Ted Kulfan writes about Dominik Hasek today, saying Dom is due to break out. Based on reports from the Stars game, I’m willing to believe that.
There’s nothing new on the injury front. Norton still hasn’t been cleared, though he may be today. Samuelsson is making his return to the ice tonight, meaning one of the rookies will have to sit. I imagine it’ll be Kopecky or Hudler, not Filppula.
Tonight’s an important game, with the Wings looking to maintain their momentum and the Flames looking to gain some. It should be exciting, with two of the better hitting defensemen in the league pitted against each other. Dion Phaneuf is a little more high-profile than Danny Markov, but tonight the spotlight should be on both of them. The Wings need a win to keep up with the division-leading Predators.
Also, Ansar Khan makes a return to his Wings blog, after spending the last month covering the Tigers.
It’s nice to read an objective perspective of the Flames’ woes. Emotions are definetly taking over the fans’ opinions as they are starting to panic. I admit, I am getting ticked off, but no panic yet. I am remembering the start last year. I’m looking forward to your post-game report.