Calgary Flames host New York Rangers tonight

Posted on October 20th, 2011

Tags

Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

The Calgary Flames (2-3-0) host the New York Rangers (1-1-2) at the Scotiabank Saddledome tonight. Both teams are looking to put a win streak together and to move out of last place in their respective divisions. The Flames are looking to build off a 2-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers, while the Rangers continue their Canadian road trip after shutting out the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 on Tuesday.

This is the only meeting between the Flames and Rangers this season. The last time these two teams played was at Maddison Square Garden last season. New York won that game 2-1.

The Flames will have to find their scoring touch if they hope to beat Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Henrik, aka “The King”, stopped all 40 shots in Vancouver earlier this week and kept his team in the game even though they failed to score until the 3rd period. I suppose 4 goals in the 3rd period is never a bad thing though. The Rangers, who have also struggled to start this year are hoping to find some more consistent scoring to go with their excellent goaltending.

The Flames have had an uneven start to the season and, while I’m still shocked to say it, they will be looking to former NY Ranger, Olli Jokinen, to lead them on the ice. Jokinen has been one of the Flames most consistent players to start the season, thanks in large part to how he has changed his play and embraced “the system” that the Flames coaching staff has been preaching. Jokinen has a 5-game point streak to start the season.

Flames winger Alex Tanguay also has 5 points in his first 5 games and will be looking for another big game tonight. Though he doesn’t have a point streak going, Tanguay has been there to make plays when necessary and has supported his team as best he could through a rough start.

Puck drop is 7:30pm and the game will be broadcast on TSN and the Fan 960.

About Greg Hounslow (556 Posts)

Greg is the founder of Red Mile Blog has been following the Flames through good times and bad since they arrived in Calgary in the early 80s. He has written hundreds of articles on the Flames since 2005 and considers himself an expert on hockey inconsistency and frustration. He shoots right and usually plays defence, but has been known to jump up in the rush. He is a 2-time CAHL men's league champion and knows the sweet taste of beer from a Cup.

OldeBuffalo

The Flames are employing an entirely new strategy this year (it actually started after Darrell left). Gone are the old days of slapping the puck up the boards in a panic trying to clear their own end. Gone are the dump and chase days and cycling the puck in the oppositions end hoping to score a garbage goal.

Now the Flames retain possession as they work the puck out of their own end, using all 5 players if necessary. They also try to retain possession in the offensive zone and that will lead to many more scoring chances. You only need to look at their power play success this year to understand how important possession is and how it will lead to greater success when they’re 5 on 5.

Playing without any true centermen has probably led to some problems but now that Mo is back it’s going to make it easier to get, and then keep possession.
http://twitter.com/Primlar Primlar

The Flames were pretty sloppy vs. the Oil the other night, they’ll need to tighten it up if they want to win. I think they will, I’m just hoping it’s sooner rather than later.
- http://redmileblog.com Greg @ Red Mile Blog
  
  They definitely were sloppy on Tuesday. They had the effort, but unfortunately the puck didn’t stay on their sticks and they weren’t in the right place at the right time. I definitely agree that it needs to pick up sooner rather of later. The team shot themselves in the foot by the end of November last year and can’t do the same this year.