Flames 15-8-2, 3rd in division, 5th conference, 10th league
Coyotes 10-12-3, 6th in division, 12th conference, 23rd league
Being this is a second half of a home and home series with the Coyotes, I won't be writing nearly as much today as I said pretty much everything I needed to say on Saturday. However, if you want to read a wonderful article on the current state of the Flames, that pretty much mirrors my own thoughts exactly, please read this piece by Bingo:
http://www.calgarypuck.com/2014/12/t...ary-ava-leafs/
The Flames have some new accolades to sport this week. Karri Ramo was named the 3rd star of the week after getting back to back shutouts, and has been named the starter tonight since he's had adequate rest and is obviously red hot. Even more impressive is the fact that Mark Giordano was named the NHL's 1st star for the month of November. That's a pretty impressive accomplishment for a defenseman on a team that was supposed to be in the basement this year, but it's hard to think of anyone who deserved it more than Gio. Speaking of hot Flames, Jiri Hudler is on "some kinda" tear of late, scoring 5 goals in his last 4 games.
The Coyotes found their slump buster last night in the Edmonton Oilers, who seem to be everyone's slump buster this year. The Oilers were leading 1-0 in the 2nd period until the Coyotes managed 2 short handed goals, not only on the same power play, but they were scored on the same shift by the same player, Tobias Rieder. That's some epic level of no-goodness. By the time that second period was over the Coyotes were up 4-1 and went on to easily win 5-2 after the Oilers' implosion. Their special teams were excellent, not only scoring 2 short handed and killing 4 of 5 penalties, but they scored 2 on the power play as well going 2 for 3. This is pretty much in keeping with the Coyotes M.O. this season: Pretty good special teams, awful 5 on 5. Obviously this was a confidence builder for the 'Yotes, but they will be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights with travel, so you would have to imagine the Flames will have the upper hand in the energy department tonight. Look for the Flames to utilize their speed again to capitalize on a slower and more tired Coyotes squad. The Coyotes have been a decent road team this year, sporting nearly the same record as their home record, so it won't necessarily be an easy game for the Flames.
Of note, Matt Stajan is back skating with the main group and Ladislav Smid has returned to the team after dealing with a personal issue. Smid should be ready to play tonight, but Stajan is likely a few days away from returning. He'll need to get into game shape and there's still no timeline for his return, suggesting he's at least a week away. They could surely use his face-off prowess tonight against one of the best teams on the dot this year. The Flames have won both meetings with the Coyotes this year by a combined score of 8-3. It's likely that Dubnyk will get the start tonight since Smith played last night. Dubnyk was pretty good against a Flames team that was flying and has actually been their better goaltender all year.
Flames
Glencross-Monahan-Jones
Gaudreau-Jooris-Hudler
Ferland-Granlund-Byron
Bollig-Bouma-Baertschi
Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Smid-Engelland
Ramo
Coyotes
Korpikoski-Vermette-Boedker
Rieder-Hanzal-Doan
Shinnimin-Gagner-Erat
McMillan-Vitale-Crombeen
Ekman-Larsson-Michalek
Yandle-Stone
Schlemko-Murphy
Dubnyk
Go Flames Go!!!