Coyotes/Flames Preview
Coyotes vs Flames
Jobing.com Arena
Puck Drops at 7:30 PM – Radio Only Broadcast
Last 5 Games:
Calgary: 4-0-1
Coyotes: 3-2-0
Last 10 Games:
Calgary:6-2-2
Coyotes: 5-4-1
The Coyotes open a three game home stand tonight against the Calgary Flames who are in the middle of a six game road trip. This is the first time in eight days that the Flames and Coyotes have met. The Flames just finished the month of November (against some less than impressive teams) with a 10-2-2 record and are looking to extend that winning streak into December.
The Coyotes have seemed to come out of their string of losses against injured or less than impressive clubs by posting back to back wins against division rivals (Anaheim and Dallas). Tonight is a key test for the Coyotes as they are up against one of the better teams in the Northwest Division if not the Western Conference.
Things to watch for:
The hottest Flames – Forward Jarome Igilna and Goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff are both on hot streaks of their own at the moment. Igilna notched 20 points in the Month of November and Kiprusoff is coming off back to back shutouts on the Flames current road trip.
Coyotes Defense – The Flames have scored the first goal in 21 of the 26 games they have played so far. Furthermore, the Flames are 9-1-1 when leading after 1 period and 13-0-1 when leading after two periods. However, their record is abysmal when their opponents score first as they are 2-3-0 when trailing after 1 period and 2-5-0 when trailing after two periods. The Coyotes in their defensive zone have their work cut out for them.
Keys to the game:
Stay out of the penalty box! – The Flames have the 9th best PP in the league and the last thing you want to do is give them the chance to get a man up on you.
Step up – With Ed Jovanovski out again, the defense and secondary scoring has to step their games to fill the gap.
The Flames are beatable – Sure the Flames have an impressive record, but they have been rarely tested up to this point in the season. The Coyotes have the skills to beat the Flames…even with Igilna and Kiprusoff on their Hot Streaks.
Injuries:
Flames: Cory Sarich
Coyotes: Kurt Sauer, Ed Jovanovski, Peter Mueller
Referees: Gord Dwyer, Tim Peel
Linesmen: Pierre Racicot, Lonnie Cameron
Game Notes:
- The Vancouver Canucks will be showing this game as the second game of a double header on their PPV channel.
- Matthew Lombardi is one point away from reaching 200 points for his career.
- Jay Bouwmeester is the current NHL Ironman with 368 games.
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