Game Game Twenty-Three: Calgary Flames (8-13-3) at Tampa Bay Lightning (13-7-2)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Benchmark International Arena, Stop #8 on the TECO Streetcar Line

TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, SN360, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -185

Know the Opponents: Flame for Thought

Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning close out a long stretch of home games with a pre-Thanksgiving match against a Western Conference team. In the midst of a stretch where they’ve won 12 of their last 15 games they take on a Calgary Flames team that might be just a shade better than what their record indicates.

While Lightning fans had some qualms about how their team started off the season, Flames’ fans were downright distraught. After beating Edmonton on opening night, the Flames didn’t see another “W” in the standings column for nine games. After finally beating the Rangers, Calgary went on to lose 8 of their next 11 games. So, yeah, not exactly how anyone thought their season would go.

Recent history has been better history for Calgary as they’ve reeled off three straight wins, with two of them coming on the road. Both sides of the puck have been better as they’ve scored 14 goals in those three games while only conceding 6. It hasn’t been enough to lift them out of last place in their division, but the Lightning can’t just throw their sticks on the ice and expect a win.

A hallmark of the Lightning’s return to their winning ways has been the work-rate on the ice. They aren’t winning these games with dazzling displays of offense. Instead, they’ve been grinding out close wins, doing just enough to pick up the victory. Long admired from afar for their talent and roster full of potential hall-of-famers, they’ve achieved success this year with more of a blue-collar, out-work the opponent style.

Part of that is based out of the fact that injuries have affected their top players, especially on defense, but as a whole the team has adapted to more of a hard-working style. It hasn’t always been pretty, but it’s been effective. A lot of the work has been done in their own zone where they’ve cut down on their opponent’s opportunities.

Starting with the win against Anaheim on October 25th, the Lightning are second in scoring chances against in the league, allowing just 23.12/60. They are also allowing just 8.65 high-danger chances per 60 minutes, which is second as well (the Ottawa Senators are the only team ahead of them in both categories). Coaches love it when a team keeps the puck out of their own net.

Unfortunately, despite their recent success, the Lightning haven’t gained any breathing room in the standings. Yes, they’ve clawed their way to the top of the Atlantic with 28 points, but they are only 3 points away from dropping out of a playoff spot. Nobody in their division is losing on a consistent basis. Even Montreal, who has the worst record in the Atlantic since October 25th, is 5-4-3.

The Lightning are going to have to save any sort of relaxing for their day off tomorrow because they simply can’t afford to give up two points, even to a non-conference opponent. Speaking of that, tonight’s game puts the Western Conference to bed for a bit for the Lightning. Starting on Friday, only 3 of their next 16 games will be from the West. Of the 13 games against the East, 5 of them will be within the division, so the standings may start to open up a little more as they make their way through December.

Hopefully they will be a bit healthier for that stretch. There is a good chance that Pontus Holmberg makes his return tonight, which leaves Brayden Point as the only forward to be out of the line-up. The prognosis for the defense is a bit bleaker, with the Big Three (Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, and Erik Cernak) out for at least a couple of weeks. The call-ups have held their own so far, but the Bolts would like to be at full capacity for this run of games.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards:

Brandon HagelAnthony CirelliNikita KucherovJake GuentzelNick PaulDominic JamesZemgus GirgensonsYanni GourdePontus HolmbergGage GoncalvesJack FinleyOliver Bjorkstrand

Defense:

J.J. MoserDarren RaddyshCharle-Edouard D’AstousEmil LillebergDeclan CarlileSteven Santini

Goaltenders:

Andrei VasilevskiyJonas Johansson

Calgary Flames

Forwards:

Jonathan HuberdeauMorgan FrostMatt CoronatoYegor SharangovichNazem KadriJoel FarabeeConnor ZaryMikael BacklundBlake ColemanRyan LombergJohn BeecherAdam Klapka

Defense:

Kevin BahlRasmus AnderssonYan KuznetsovMacKenzie WeegarJoel HanleyBrayden Pachel

Goaltenders: