(1P) Flames against (WC1) Stars
Western Conference, First Round, Match 1
22:00 ET; ESPN2, CBC, SN, TVAS2, BSSW
The Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars will play each other for the second time in the last three post-seasons, when they start their series from the first round of the Western Conference with a match 1 at Scotlandbank Seddollum on Tuesday.
The stars defeated the Flames in six games in the Western First Round in 2020 and qualified for the Stanley Cup final, where they lost to Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
The Flames (50-21-11) won the Pacific Division for the second time since 2018-19 and their 111 points were the second highest in their history; had 117 points in 1988-89 when they won the Stanley Cup. The stars (46-30-6) won the first wild card in the playoffs in the West.
Top flames of left winger Johnny Godreau (40 goals, 75 assists), center Elias Lindholm (42 goals, 40 assists) and right winger Matthew Tkachuk (42 goals, 62 assists) combined for 301 points (124 goals, 177 assists) ) this season. Godro led the Flames and tied for second place in the NHL with a career-high 115 points in 82 games.
“I mean, they’re so experienced, aren’t they?” That’s what star striker Jason Robertson said. “They make preliminary checks really hard. I’d say our top line is similar, but they all have their strengths and they all complement each other well. So I think you just have to know when they’re on the ice.”
The top line of the stars on the left wing Robertson (41 goals, 38 assists), center Ruup Hinz (37 goals, 35 assists) and right wing Joe Pavelski (27 goals, 54 assists) together for 232 points (105 goals, 127 assists). Pavelski led the stars with a record in his NHL career 81 points in 82 games.
“They are experienced players, they obviously see the ice very well, they are fast line, very fast and they play well all year round together,” said Godreau. We have to keep our eyes on them.
Defender John Klingberg, who missed the last game of the Stars in the regular season against Anaheim Ducks on Friday due to a lower body injury, is expected to play in match 1.
The teams that won Game 1 were 499-228 (68.8 percent), winning a series of NHL playoffs, including 6-2 in the first round last season.
Here are 3 keys to Game 1:
1. Special teams
The Flames and Stars were close in their skills in the game during the regular season; Calgary was 10th in the NHL with 22.9 percent, Dallas was 11th with 22.4 percent. There is a bigger difference in the criminal murder, where the Flames were sixth with 83.2 percent, while the Stars were 19th with 79.0 percent.
2. Oettinger’s first start after the season
Jake Oettinger appeared in two games during the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2020, but he will make his first NHL start since the season in Game 1. The 23-year-old was 30-15-1 with 2.53 goals against an average, 0.914 save percentage and one suspension in 48 games (46 starts).
“We put it in a couple of thirds when the game was almost over and the other team stopped playing,” said Stars coach Rick Bownes. “This is his first round. [Flames goalie Jacob] Markström has been there, he has a lot more experience in dealing with this than Jake. With that in mind, we have complete confidence in Jake and will help him get through this. “
3. Something to prove
The Flames have won a playoff series since reaching the 2004 Stanley Cup final and want to change that.
“You’re not a proven playoff team or anything like that until you spend a few years in a row and then have some success,” said Calgary coach Daryl Sutter. “If you look at the history of the champions, it’s them. We’re all excited because we’ve reached the playoffs. Now you’re trying to take the next step, try to win a match.”
The stars predict composition
Jason Robertson – Rup Hinz – Joe Pavelski
Jamie Ben – Vladislav Namesnikov – Tyler Sagin
Joel Kiviranta – Radek Faxa – Denis Gurianov
Michael Raffle – Luke Glending – Alexander Radulov
Ryan Suter – Miro Heiskanen
Essa Lindell – John Klingberg
Joel Hanley – Gianni Hakanpaa
Jake Oettinger
Scott Wedgewood
Scratched: Thomas Harley, Jacob Peterson, Andrei Sekera, Marian Studenich
wounded: None
Estimated Flames lineup
Johnny Godreau – Elias Lindholm – Matthew Tkachuk
Andrew Mangiapane – Mikael Becklund – Tyler Tofoli
Dylan Dub – Calle Jarnkrok – Blake Coleman
Milan Lucic – Trevor Lewis – Brett Richie
Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Anderson
Oliver Killington – Christopher Tanev
Nikita Zadorov – Eric Goodbranson
Jacob Markstrom
Dan Vladar
Scratched: Adam Rougica, Ryan Carpenter, Michael Stone, Connor Mackie
wounded: None
Status report
Each team held an optional morning skate. … Klingberg will probably play, but if he is not available, Harley or Sekera, each with a left-handed shot, will join.
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