Islanders Face Off Against Flames in Anticipated Game Preview
The upcoming matchup between the New York Islanders and the Calgary Flames is highly anticipated, marking the first of two meetings this season. Both teams have a history, with the Islanders securing a shootout win in their last two encounters on the Flames’ turf.
Previous Encounters
The Islanders hold a slight edge, going 1-0-1 against the Flames in recent seasons. Their next game will be hosted at UBS Arena on March 14.
Flames Preview
The Flames are fresh off a 3-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. This victory comes as they commence a five-game homestand after a tough road trip that only yielded two wins in seven games.
Initially, Calgary struggled this season, starting with a record of 5-12-3, placing them last in the Pacific Division. However, their performance has improved, with a record of 14-10-1 since then, though they have only moved up to seventh place.
Key Players
- Mikael Backlund: Recently added two points in the victory over the Blackhawks, bringing his season total to 31 points. Backlund leads the Flames with five points over the last three games.
- Connor Zary: Currently on a team-high four-game point streak, Zary has accumulated 18 points in 45 games this season.
- Blake Coleman: Recently placed on injured reserve, Coleman has not played since injuring himself on January 8 against the Boston Bruins. He has 21 points this season, tying him for sixth on the team.
Special Teams Performance
Calgary’s power-play has struggled, ranking 27th in the NHL with a 15.6% efficiency rate. However, they succeeded while on the man-advantage in their last two matches, including a perfect 3-for-3 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This upcoming game against the Islanders presents a critical opportunity for the Flames to build momentum. They will seek to capitalize on their recent success while aiming to overcome earlier struggles this season.
