Blackhawks, Flames look for spark in matchup
CHICAGO -- The Calgary Flames will open a six-game, 10-day road trip when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night at the United Center.
Calgary (26-18-8) is coming off a 4-3 win in overtime on its home ice over the Blackhawks on Saturday night. However, Flames coaches and players know that a tough test awaits in one of the most raucous buildings in the NHL.
"One of the most fun places to play in the league," Flames goaltender Mike Smith said to the team's official website before he and his teammates traveled east. "The fans are intense. Loud. Into it right away. And the national anthem, it sends chills up and down your spine, every time. How could you not get up for a game like that?"
Chicago (24-20-8) also could use a jolt of energy after going winless in its last two games. The Blackhawks are 2-4-2 in their past eight games and remain on the outside looking in when it comes to the Western Conference playoff race.
The club's recent struggles prompted Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville to shake up his scoring lines heading into Tuesday's game. He matched slumping forwards Brandon Saad, Ryan Hartman and Patrick Sharp on the fourth line.
Saad has gone 11 games without a goal. Hartman has one point (an assist) in his past 10 games. Sharp recently missed four games as a healthy scratch and has only six goals in 45 games this season.
Still, the group is confident that it can produce.
"You know what, I think it's a pretty good line," Saad said to the Chicago Sun-Times. "Even though we've been a little snakebit, we're all good players. It should be pretty exciting here to get going (Tuesday against the Flames)."
Smith is no stranger to facing the Blackhawks' scoring attack. The 35-year-old netminder has posted a 21-15-6 record with a 2.52 goals-against average and .922 save percentage this season, both of which are better than his career averages.
In 19 career games against Chicago, Smith is 9-9-1 with a 3.16 GAA and a .907 save percentage.
The Blackhawks will counter with goaltender Jeff Glass for the second game in a row. The 32-year-old rookie is 3-3-3 with a 3.24 GAA and .908 save percentage in 10 games this season. He has faced the Flames twice, posting a 0-0-2 record with a 3.95 GAA and .897 save percentage in those matchups.
Johnny Gaudreau leads the Flames with 59 points (16 goals, 43 assists) in 52 games. Sean Monahan (24 goals) and Micheal Ferland (20 goals) are the top finishers for Calgary this season.
Chicago is led by Patrick Kane, who has 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) in 52 games. Rookie Alex DeBrincat is second to Kane in goals scored with 18.
This is the third and final meeting of the regular season between the teams. Calgary has won 4-3 in overtime in each of the first two games. This marks the Flames' first and only visit to the United Center during the regular season.
Chicago is 12-10-3 at home. Calgary is 13-5-5 on the road.
"I said this before our last road trip, we're comfortable going on the road," Flames coach Glen Gulutzan said to the Calgary Sun. "I'm sure we'll get a different animal there. But for us, nothing changes on the road."
