Game 42 Preview: Calgary Flames (14-21-6) vs. Colorado Avalanche (26-11-4)
By Andrew Dill
Nov 8, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere (35) defends his net against Calgary Flames center Matt Stajan (18) in the second period at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Flames 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche (26-11-4) are currently on a three-game winning streak on their seven-game home stand and look to keep taking advantage of playing at the Pepsi Center as they host the Calgary Flames.
What: Regular Season: Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche
When: Monday, January 6th
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Time: 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT
TV: Altitude Sports
This game concludes the final time these two teams meet this season as the Colorado Avalanche currently lead it 2-0. The Avs defeated the Flames 3-2 in their last meeting in Calgary on December 6th behind Maxime Talbot‘s two point night, recording a goal and an assist. P.A. Parenteau and Nathan MacKinnon would tally the other two goals for the Avalanche. Kris Russell and Matt Stajan would collect the goals for the Calgary Flames.
On Colorado’s current seven-game home stand, Nathan MacKinnon has played very well for the club. The number one overall pick in the 2013 draft has four goals and one assist in four games where the Avalanche have gone 3-0-1. The overtime loss was on a last second goal from the Winnipeg Jets. MacKinnon would also record his first multigoal game against the San Jose Sharks Saturday afternoon. He currently leads all rookies in points with 26, 12 goals and 14 assists. Also, nine different Avalanche players recorded a point Saturday against the Sharks, including Paul Stastny (2 assists), John Mitchell (1 assist), Cody McLeod (1 assist), Jamie McGinn (1 goal), Nathan MacKinnon (2 goals), Gabriel Landeskog (1 assist), Erik Johnson (1 goal), Matt Duchene (1 assist), and Andre Benoit (1 assist).
Colorado’s power-play has seen a boost in the rankings as well, jumping up to 15th in the league with a percentage of 18.2%. In their last five-games, Colorado has gone 4-12, 33.3% percent while they went a perfect 3-for-3 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Projected Starting Goaltenders:
Calgary Flames:
Karri Ramo: 6-7-3, 2.74 GAA in 18 games played.
Colorado Avalanche:
Jean-Sebastien Giguere: 7-3-0, 2.51 GAA in 11 games played.
Last 10 Games:
Calgary Flames: 2-6-2
Colorado Avalanche: 5-2-3
Current Central Division Standings:
1: Chicago Blackhawks: 29-7-9, 67 points in 45 games.
2: St. Louis Blues: 29-7-5, 63 points in 41 games.
3: Colorado Avalanche: 26-11-4, 56 points in 41 games.
4: Minnesota Wild: 22-17-5, 47 points in 44 games.
5: Dallas Stars: 20-14-7, 47 points in 41 games.
6: Winnipeg Jets: 19-21-5, 43 points in 45 games.
7: Nashville Predators: 18-19-6, 42 points in 43 games.
Team Leaders:
Points:
Calgary Flames: Jiri Hudler, 33.
Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, 38.
Goals:
Calgary Flames: Mike Cammalleri, 12.
Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, 16.
Assists:
Calgary Flames: Jiri Hudler, 22.
Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, 22.
Penalty Minutes:
Calgary Flames: Brian McGrattan, 54.
Colorado Avalanche: Cody McLeod, 80.
Shots on Goal:
Calgary Flames: Mike Cammalleri, 104.
Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, 120.