SPEAKING WITH THE ENEMY: Red Wings at Flames
7 years ago
Tonight marks the second and final meeting of the season between the Detroit Red Wings and the Calgary Flames, and we’ve asked writers from both WingsNation and FlamesNation to get you set for tonight’s matchup. We’ve also put together a few notes to get you ready for the final time these two teams will meet this year.
Please note that this article is posted at both FlamesNation and WingsNation
THE MATCHUP
Friday, March 3rd, 2017 – Saddledome (Calgary) – 7:00pm (PSTEST)/9:00pm (EST)
| Detroit Red Wings | Calgary Flames |
| 25-26-10 (8th in the Atlantic) | 34-26-4 (4th in the Pacific) |
| 4-5-1 in their last 10 | 7-2-1 in their last 10 |
| Power Play (PP%): 13.1% | Power Play (PP%): 19.6% |
| Penalty Kill (PK%): 81.3% | Penalty Kill (PK%): 80.0% |
| Goal Differential: -27 | Goal Differential: -7 |
 |  |
Today’s Meeting:
The Wings and Flames meet up for the final time this season and the Flames will be looking to sweep the season series. With the Flames currently riding a five-game winning streak, Detroit will be in tough if they look to extend their own winning streak to two games. Offence could be an issue for Detroit as they moved out their second leading scorer, Thomas Vanek, at the trade deadline for a third round pick and a defensive prospect.
Points Leaders:
Henrik Zetterberg (DET) – 14G, 34A = 48 points
Mikael Backlund (CGY) – 19G, 26A = 45 points
Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) – 13G, 30A = 43 points
Matthew Tkachuk (CGY) – 11G, 30A = 41 points
Anthony Mantha (DET) – 13G, 18A = 31 points
Frans Nielson (DET) – 13G, 17A = 30 points
Goaltenders:
Detroit:
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petr Mrazek | 38 | 33 | 15 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 1,077 | 105 | 2.95 | 972 | .903 | 1 | 2,139 |
| Jared Coreau | 13 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 354 | 38 | 3.27 | 316 | .893 | 2 | 699 |
Calgary:
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chad Johnson | 33 | 33 | 18 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 920 | 80 | 2.54 | 840 | .913 | 3 | 1,893 |
| Brian Elliott | 34 | 31 | 16 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 892 | 88 | 2.69 | 804 | .901 | 0 | 1,960 |
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Why is your team going to win or why will your enemy lose?
WingsNation:
The Red Wings are going to win because the universe doesn’t want a Detroit rebuild. We sold at the deadline for the first time in, like, 25 years, so now the all powerful forces are going to force the Wings to win their way out of a high draft position.
Ari Yanover (FlamesNation):
The playoffs are in sight for the Flames. They still have work to do over this final month and change, but it’s completely within their own hands at this point. The Wings are a below .500 team – they have no excuse to lose this one, and they shouldn’t.
Who’s hot? Who’s not?
WingsNation:
Henrik Zetterberg is kinda good at this hockey thing. He’s scored seven points in his past four games. See what I mean? No rebuild! They won’t let it happen! Who’s been cold? Mike Green, the offensive dynamo, hasn’t recorded a point in six games now. Apparently, he didn’t want to get traded at the deadline, so maybe he’s playing poorly on purpose?
Ari Yanover:
Micheal Ferland has been feeling it ever since he got moved up to play with Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau has been feeling it too, as a matter of fact. It’s early yet but it looks like Ferland could be the solution that line needs. As for cold, we’re still waiting for Sam Bennett to fully wake up – he’s kind of the last piece at this point.
Why should people watch this game?
WingsNation:
Because the Detroit Red Wings vs Calgary Flames rivalry is unforgettable, of course!
Ari Yanover:
The Flames are fighting for a playoff spot. Every win is meaningful. This should be one of those.
Say something nice about your opponent.
WingsNation:
The Flames didn’t trade Dougie Hamilton away, despite rumours suggesting they would. Good job!
Ari Yanover:
That was a cool playoff streak y’all had once upon a time.
Any last words?
WingsNation:
Please Flames, help let this rebuild begin!
Ari Yanover:
We would love to.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Join in the conversation on Twitter at @FlamesNation and @theWingsNation to give us your thoughts on the game. Twitter not your thing? Keep the battle going in the game day articles at FlamesNation.ca and WingsNation.com.
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