Well, would you look at that? The Calgary Flames finally won their first game of 2016-17 on Monday... er, Tuesday, defeating the Buffalo Sabres (1-1-1) in overtime by a count of 4-3. Michael Frolik, Micheal Ferland, Matthew Tkachuk, and Sean Monahan each potted tallies for the Flames (1-2-1), who will look to improve back up to .500 with a victory Thursday against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.
WHO'S HOT?
- C Mikael Backlund (4 points -- all assists -- in previous 4 games)
- RW Michael Frolik (3 goals in previous 4 games)
- RW Troy Brouwer (2 goals in previous 4 games)
- G Chad Johnson (1-1, .923 SV%, 1.88 GAA in previous 2 games)
WHO'S NOT?
- LW Johnny Gaudreau (1 assist in previous 3 games)
- RW Kris Versteeg (1 assist in previous 4 games)
- C Sam Bennett (0 points in 2016-17)
- D Dougie Hamilton (0 points in 2016-17)
ONES TO WATCH
Johnny Gaudreau enjoyed a fine game Tuesday, setting up Sean Monahan's game winning goal while looking like his vintage self in overtime. He could break out against a feeble Hurricanes defense.
Sean Monahan always has stand-out games against Carolina, and he'll look for another one Thursday following his game-winning-goal against Buffalo Tuesday.
THE CREASE REPORT
Brian Elliott returns to the Flames' crease on Thursday, following a 2-game run by Chad Johnson in net. Elliott will look to mark his first win of the season, as well as to improve his dreadful SV% and GAA marks (.818 and 5.08, respectively).
Meanwhile, on the Hurricanes' side, Eddie Lack should get the start. Veteran Cam Ward stood the crease in the Canes' rematch against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, and as the Hurricanes seem to be rolling a goaltending tandem of sorts, expect the former Canuck Lack to start for Carolina on Thursday.
BITS AND BITES
Former Flame Jakub Nakladal isn't expected to suit up for the Hurricanes tonight.... Kris Versteeg is projected to slot in on the Flames' fourth line tonight, following four straight games of action alongside Gaudreau and Monahan.... Hurricanes winger Lee Stempniak will face one of his nine former teams tonight.... The Flames' defence pairings are not expected to change.... 20-year-old "18-year-old Sam Bennett" will look to get on the scoresheet for the first time this season vs. Carolina.... the forward has a -2 rating and 12 PIM in four games this season.
TV AND RADIO
Catch the game on Sportsnet Flames, channel 302 on Shaw and 914 on Telus Opti-pickle pickle pickle pickle pickle pickle pickle pickle pickle pickle pickle pickle-Wills and Loubardias will be there on your radios.
PROJECTED FLAMES LINE-UP
13 Gaudreau - 23 Monahan - 39 Chiasson
79 Ferland - 93 Bennett - 36 Brouwer
17 Bouma - 11 Backlund - 67 Frolik
19 Tkachuk - 18 Stajan - 10 Versteeg
5 Giordano - 7 Brodie
3 Jokipakka - 27 Hamilton
61 Kulak - 29 Engelland
1 Elliott
31 Johnson
PROJECTED HURRICANES LINE-UP
53 Skinner - 49 Rask - 21 Stempniak
42 Nordstrom - 11 Staal - 34 di Giuseppe
20 Aho - 16 Lindholm - 86 Teravainen
29 Bickell - 18 McClement - 91 Frk
65 Hainsey - 27 Faulk
74 Slavin - 22 Pesce
6 Dahlbeck - 5 Hanifin
31 Lack
30 Ward