Gold: Canes hope to stay hot against the Flames

By Adam Gold radio host 99.9 the Fan

For all the talk about how great the Edmonton Oilers are they are not the team leading the NHL’s Pacific Division. That honor belongs to the Calgary Flames, tonight’s opponent for the Carolina Hurricanes. Yes, the Flames sit atop that division in spite of not having goal-producing machines like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Though, the Flames do produce their share of goals.

Much like the Hurricanes, Calgary (15-6-5) is where they are in the standings because of their goal prevention. Carolina has allowed the fewest goals this season, surrendering just 54 in 24 games. But, the Flames have allowed just 56 in 26 games and have the lowest goals allowed per game in the NHL at a stingy 2.15.

Both goaltenders have been lights out. So, whether it’s Jakob Markstrom (10-5-4, .937 SV%/1.83 GAA) or Dan Vladar (5-1-1, .928 SV%/2.10 GAA), nothing is going to come easy tonight. They have lost their last two times out, to Vegas and San Jose, but before that blip the Flames had won 7 of 8.

If the Hurricanes can get to 3 goals tonight it bodes well. Calgary is just 3-6-3 when allowing 3 or more goals.

There was a lot of talk this offseason about the Flames getting rid of Johnny Gaudreau. Well, sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make. Johnny Hockey is back at it, with 10 goals and 29 points this season. Playing alongside, former Hurricanes forward Elias Lindholm, who has absolutely become one of the most solid 2-way centers in the Western Conference.

Lindholm, the Hurricanes 1st round pick in 2013 (5th overall), has 11 goals and 26 points and boasts an NHL-best +21 rating. In 3-plus seasons with the Flames, Lindholm has 96 goals after scoring 64 in five years with the Hurricanes.

We’ll also get reacquainted with defenseman Noah Hanifin, another former Carolina first rounder (2015) who was also the 5th overall selection. Hanifin is playing on Calgary’s top pair along with Rasmus Andersson and has played well. He’s got 9 points (1g, 8a) and a +11 rating this season.

Ethan Bear did not skate with the team this morning and will be a game time decision. Bear, who just got out of Covid-19 protocol and has played the last two games, was not feeling well. Note, that there was a bug flowing through the Hurricanes locker room the last week or so and it is possible to be sick and NOT have covid.

Rod Brind’Amour did not know which goaltender would go tonight as, like Bear and others, each has been under the weather the last several days.

Jordan Martinook remains out with a lower body injury. Brett Pesce and Tony DeAngelo, who have each gotten out of Covid-19 protocol, remain in Raleigh and will not join the team until the last game of this road trip, in Minnesota next Tuesday night.

Coverage of the Hurricanes and Flames begins with Storm Watch starring Alec Campbell at 8:30 tonight on 99.9 the Fan. Then Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy will have the call of the game at 9:00. Don’t forget to follow the Canes Corner Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. A new episode drops the #MorningAfter every Hurricanes game.