In a crucial clash, the Calgary Flames, currently sixth in the Pacific Division with a 4-7-1 record, gear up for a back-to-back challenge. They face the Ottawa Senators, who are eighth in the Atlantic Division with a 5-7-0 record, on November 11 at the Canadian Tire Centre. Before this, the Flames have a demanding game against Toronto, testing their resilience and depth. This matchup on ESPN+ promises high stakes for both struggling teams looking to climb the standings.

A Quest for Redemption

The Calgary Flames, with a record of 4-7-1, find themselves in a challenging position this season. Ranked 26th in goals (32) for and 18th in goals against (42), Calgary’s performance has been inconsistent, highlighted by recent wins against Nashville and Seattle but disappointing losses to Dallas and Edmonton. Key players like left winger Andrew Mangiapane, leading with four goals, and center Elias Lindholm, the top point scorer with eight points, have been crucial for Calgary’s offensive efforts. However, their overall offensive production, with a 29th-ranked shooting percentage of 8.0, needs significant improvement. The absence of players like Oliver Kylington, Kevin Rooney, and Jakob Pelletier due to injuries has undoubtedly impacted the team’s depth and performance.

On the brighter side, Calgary’s penalty kill, ranking third with an efficiency of 90.0%, is a testament to their defensive strength. However, their power play has been less effective, ranking 23rd at 16.7%. The team’s goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, with a .896 save percentage and a 2.91 goals allowed per game, will need to step up against Ottawa’s potent offense. The Flames’ strategy against the Senators should focus on improving their offensive execution while maintaining their strong penalty killing. Calgary’s ability to stay disciplined and avoid unnecessary penalties will be crucial, as they currently rank ninth with 114 penalty minutes. Utilizing their top players effectively and finding ways to penetrate Ottawa’s defense will be key to their success in this matchup.

Despite their recent struggles, Calgary has shown glimpses of their potential. Their resilience will be tested in this back-to-back scenario, and their ability to bounce back from the game against Toronto will be crucial. The Flames need to find a balance between offensive aggression and defensive solidity to secure a much-needed win against the Senators.

Seizing Opportunities Amidst Challenges

The Ottawa Senators, holding a 5-7-0 record and positioned last in the Atlantic Division, face the Calgary Flames in a pivotal home game. Despite their placement in the standings, Ottawa’s offense has been a highlight, ranking seventh with 46 goals for. The Senators’ ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, led by left winger Brady Tkachuk and center Tim Stutzle, will be crucial in this matchup against the defensively strong Flames. Tkachuk, with eight goals, and Stutzle, leading the team with 15 points, are central to Ottawa’s attacking strategy. The team’s shooting percentage, standing at an impressive 11.8% (sixth in the league), indicates their efficiency in front of the net. However, Ottawa’s defense, ranking 20th with 43 goals against, has been less consistent. The absence of key players like Ridly Greig, Mark Kastelic, and Thomas Chabot due to injuries adds to their defensive challenges.

The Senators’ special teams have had mixed success. Their power play, converting at 22% (12th in the league), has been effective, but their penalty kill lags at 24th with a 73.2% efficiency. Given Calgary’s struggling power play, Ottawa can potentially exploit this aspect. The Senators will need to focus on improving their penalty killing while continuing to leverage their power play strength. Goaltending will play a pivotal role in this game. Joonas Korpisalo, with a .902 save percentage and 3.38 goals given up per game, needs to deliver a strong performance against the Flames’ attackers. His ability to make crucial saves could be the difference-maker in this matchup.

Ottawa’s strategy should revolve around capitalizing on their offensive strengths while addressing the defensive and special teams shortcomings. Maintaining discipline to avoid penalties will be essential, considering Calgary’s strong penalty killing capabilities.

David’s Pick – Calgary Flames (-111)

Considering Calgary’s recent form and the challenge of back-to-back games, their performance against Ottawa might be affected. However, their defensive strengths and potential for offensive improvement give them a fighting chance. I believe that Calgary will harness their strengths and overcome their offensive woes, they will most likely edge out Ottawa in a tightly contested battle.