Calgary Flames at Detroit Red Wings: Faceoff from Joe Louis Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Wings have won four out of their last six and are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Calgary has last four out of their last six and is in a three way tie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
What to Watch: Calgary has lost their captain and best player, defenseman Mark Giordano, for the season due to a bicep injury. The Flames are already the top lunch bucket team in the league but must ratchet up yet another notch if they are to survive.
Who to Watch: Calgary goaltender Karri Ramo has emerged as an asset with a .917 save percentage, and a big 3-2 win in Philadelphia Tuesday night in the Flames first game without Giordano. Ramo has a .944 save percentage in his last five games. Calgary’s other goaltender, Jonas Hiller, has been inconsistent with a .913 save percentage, and a .910 mark in his last five games. Without their best defenseman the Flames are going to need top notch goaltending to have any chance for survival.
Why to Watch: There is no better way to start the weekend than with a high stakes hockey game between two quality teams. The Flames have proven to be more than grit and character with players such as forwards Juri Hudler, Johnny Hockey Gaudreau, Sean Monahan along with defensemen Dennis Wideman and T.J. Brodie. These players will have to collectively fill the Giordano void.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Anaheim Ducks: Faceoff from the Honda Center is set for 10 PM ET. The Ducks are tied with the Nashville Predators or the top record in the NHL, and are hot with six wins in their last seven games. Resurgent Pittsburgh has won four in a row and is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
What to Watch: This could conceivably be a Stanley Cup Final preview. The Penguins have vastly improved on defense under first year head coach Mike Johnston and rank fifth in the NHL for goals against and penalty killing.
The Ducks defensive corps is ravaged with injuries. Top Anaheim rearguard, Sami Vatanen, is out until late March with a lower body issue. New Anaheim defenseman James Wisniewski is out indefinitely with a foot injury, which disappoints. Another new Ducks rearguard, Korbinian Holzer, is also out with a concussion. The Ducks will also be without 21 goal scorer Matt Belesky as the left wing has an upper body issue. Anaheim’s metrics of 10th for goal scoring, 16th for the power play, 19th for goals against and 14th for both shots against and penalty killing do not match their outstanding record. The Ducks are highly regarded for their team speed.
Who to Watch: Ducks rookie goaltender John Gibson has caught fire with a .944 save percentage in his last five games. Gibson saw playoff action last year in the Ducks seven game series loss to the Los Angeles Kings but appears much more poised for success and seasoned. Anaheim center Ryan Getzlaf has 20 goals and 41 assists while right wing Corey Perry has 27 goals and 18 assists. Much like the Chicago tandem of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the Getzlaf/Perry tandem is tied at the hip both on the ice and contractually to make for one of the best in the NHL.
Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 20 goals, 44 assists, and getting occasional calls from officials. Another Penguin center, Evgeni Malkin, has 26 goals and 38 assists. Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang is having a strong season with 10 goals, 39 assists and a plaus-12.
Why to Watch: Two top caliber teams in good form with much to play for. Pittsburgh is trying to stay ahead of the Washington Capitals in the Metropolitan Division for the third and final automatic playoff spot which would mean avoiding the top team in the Atlantic Division in a first round playoff matchup. Anaheim can clinch home ice for the playoffs if they can overtake Nashville for the top record in the NHL and West.
