[SmoggyFlamesFan]

From Calgaryflames.com. Rittich is expected to start this afternoon

FLAMES (15-9-2) at BLACKHAWKS (9-12-5)
5 p.m. | TV: Sportsnet West | RADIO: Sportsnet 960 The FAN

2018-19 Season Series: 1-0-0

All-time: 70-70-26-5

2018-19 Flames Road Record: 7-6-0

2018-19 Blackhawks Record: 5-4-3

2018-19 Leading Scorers:

Flames:

Points - Matthew Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau (20)
Goals - Sean Monahan (14)

Blackhawks:

Points - Patrick Kane (29)
Goals - Kane (13)



US
The Flames are coming off a 4-1 win over the L.A. Kings on Friday at the Scotiabank Saddledome and are now 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Johnny Gaudreau broke a 1-1 tie with 12:16 to play in the third period, while Mike Smith made 13 saves to help the homeside collect its 15th win of the campaign. Mikael Backlund (2) and Sean Monahan scored the others for Calgary. … Earlier on Friday, the Flames recalled forward Andrew Mangiapane from the Stockton Heat. Mangiapane has 14 points (7G, 7A) in 13 games with the AHL club, but did not dress in the win over the Kings. … Ryan Lomberg made his season debut and led the Flames with six hits in 8:14 of ice time. "He was excellent," said head coach Bill Peters. "He was really good in the role that he plays. He was excellent on the bench. He's an infectious, energy-type guy. I really enjoyed his presence on the bench tonight." … The Flames did not practice on Saturday (travel), so the starting goaltender and other lineup decisions will be confirmed and made available following the morning skate.



THEM
No team, besides the Kings - with whom they're tied - has a worse goal differential than Jeremy Colliton's Blackhawks at -26. And it isn't getting any easier. The Hawks played last night in Nashville and came out on the wrong end up a 5-2 score, putting them on a three-game (or worse) losing streak for the third time in a month. Brandon Saad and Artem Anisimov had the goals for Chicago, while Cam Ward made 25 saves in a losing effort. … The Hawks are now only two points up on last place in the Central, but have played two more games, and are tied with the Devils, Blues and Kings with a league-worst nine wins. … Last week, the Hawks acquired Dylan Strome and Brandon Perlini from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Nick Schmaltz. Strome has a goal and one assist, while Perlini has been held without a point in three games. … Corey Crawford is likely to get the start in goal tonight.



US VS. THEM
This is the second of three meetings between these two clubs this season. The Flames took the first encounter 5-3 back on Nov. 2 at the Scotiabank Saddledome, with the homeside coming all the way back from a 3-1 deficit with four unanswered goals in the second and third period. Sean Monahan scored twice, while three others had multi-points nights in the victory. The Flames outshot the Blackhawks 41-15. … The season series will conclude on Jan. 7 in Chicago.



THIS, THAT & THE OTHER
THIS: The Flames hold down the top spot division with 32 points after 26 games. The Flames also lead the Pacific in regulation/overtime wins with 15. The Flames lead the Pacific in goal differential as well, as they sit at a +14 and have the most goals scored with 88. THAT: TJ Brodie has the highest plus/minus in the league amongst defenceman as he sits at a +18 so far this season. THE OTHER: Sean Monahan is now tied with Flames assistant general manager Craig Conroy for 17th all-time in points as a Flames with 308.



PLAYERS TO WATCH
Flames - Johnny Gaudreau

Quite simply, Gaudreau took over in Friday's win over the Kings. In 20:09 of ice time, he led all players with seven shot attempts - three on goal, three missed (all hitting the post/crossbar), and one blocked. Oh, and he scored the winning goal, too, with a smooth backhander on a powerplay midway through the third. No. 13 is now back into a tie with Matthew Tkachuk for the team lead in scoring with 29 points (10G, 19A) in 26 games.

Blackhawks - Brandon Saad

Saad had a slow start to the season, recording only two points in his first eight games, but is on the right track now with four points (1G, 3A) in his last five games. He scored an incredible shorthanded goal last night in Nashville, beating Ryan Ellis in a one-on-one battle off the rush before plunging home his own rebound at the side of the net.