The last time the Flames faced the Canadiens, their roster was slightly different. Having lost 4 key forwards in the span of 48 hours will do that obviously, and there may be some revenge exacted on Tinordi whose careless knee knocked Stajan out for several weeks. However, it's possible that the Flames got slightly more skilled, and definitely less experienced, in their forward ranks as both Michael Ferland and Markus Granlund made an immediate impact in their first game with the Flames. Of course, the former had a shortened night after a dirty elbow from Volchenkov and there are still no updates to his status, which means Ferland could be able to play tonight, but if not you will see Jooris back in (which you might see anyway as McGrattan played very little in the 3rd period against Nashville). The injuries should have hurt the Flames, and maybe they did a little, but you wouldn't know it on the scoresheet, and Granlund added an assist in his first game, picking right up where he left off last year before he was injured as well (fingers crossed). Monahan also stepped up his game, becoming the de facto #1 center playing the toughest match ups, and not only doing well with his increased responsibility, but he added a goal and an assist in the last game as well. Gaudreau continues his hot streak with highlight reel plays that don't even result in points, and then adding a goal and assist of his own the last game. The Flames forwards are starting to find their offense, yet both Brodie and Giordano lead the team in points with 9 a piece. Lost in all this talk about struggling offense is a Flames power play that is operating at over 20%. When is the last time that happened? The PK still needs work, sitting at around 75%, but it has been improving steadily after an atrocious start to the year.
Not much has changed for Montreal since last we met. They still have poor numbers to back up a great record. Their power play is struggling mightily at just 9.4%, which is hard to believe with the talent they have and Subban's shot alone. If they ever get things going the way they can they will be dangerous, but early this year they have not been very impressive. Just to be clear, so far the Flames score more goals, allow fewer goals, have better goaltending numbers, and have a better power play than the team with the best record in the entire league…think about that oddity for a second. Looking at their media responses they don't seem too concerned since they're getting wins, and who can blame them? But they came out west and got only 3 of 6 points (with their lone win being an absolute bank heist of a job by Carey Price) against teams that aren't supposed to be playoff contenders. It's hard to be too critical of a team that's won so much early on, but looking at the numbers and watching the team play, it's hard to imagine the Canadiens being at the top of the standings for a long time. Hopefully the Flames can take advantage of an underperforming team tonight.
Lineups will be updated, but it looks like the Canadiens will be sticking with their lineup from Thursday against the Canucks.
Flames
Glencross-Monahan-Jones
Gaudreau-Granlund-Hudler
Ferland-Byron-Setoguchi
Bollig-Bouma-Jooris
Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Smid-Engelland
Ramo?
Canadiens
Pacioretty-Desharnais-Weise
Eller-Plekanec-Parenteau
Bourque-Galchenyuk-Gallagher
Prust-Malhotra-Sekac
Emelin-Subban
Markov-Gilbert
Tinordi-Weaver
Price
Go Flames Go!