Penguins at Flames
The Calgary Flames look to record back-to-back wins for the first time in three weeks on Thursday, when they host the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flames received a strong performance in net from Mike Smith on Sunday and Sean Monahan scored his team-leading sixth goal, which proved to be the game-winner in a 2-1 triumph against Washington that evened their record in the middle of a seven-game homestand.
“We know we’re a good team in here,” Monahan told reporters. “The nights we don’t show it and the nights we’re in the (penalty) box, it hurts because we know how good we can be. (Sunday), I think we played a consistent game. Every guy on this team has a role to play, and they did it, and that’s why we won.” Johnny Gaudreau notched two assists in the victory and leads Calgary with 15 points as he prepares to face the inconsistent Penguins, who rallied to knock off Edmonton 3-2 on Wednesday and snap a two-game slide. Pittsburgh has managed just 10 goals during its last six games, and five of them have come on the power play - including four of the last five tallies. Evgeni Malkin scored his team-leading sixth goal in Wednesday’s triumph, but Phil Kessel recorded two assists to grab the team lead in points (15).
TV: 9 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, Sportsnet West (Calgary)
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (8-5-1): Captain Sidney Crosby is third on the team with 12 points but has not scored a goal in six games and has managed just two assists in that span. Defenseman Kris Letang, who has struggled in his own end with a minus-14 rating, notched a pair of assists in the win over Edmonton and reached nine points to tie Bryan Rust for fourth on the team. Matt Murray turned aside 35 shots on Wednesday for his eighth victory but could give way to backup Tristan Jarry, who played one game for Pittsburgh last season and was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday to replace Casey DeSmith.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (6-6-0): Calgary will need more production throughout the lineup to give Gaudreau, Monahan, Matthew Tkachuk (eight points) and Mikael Backlund (four goals) support. “When you’re getting those chances, that’s the best sign,” coach Glen Gulutzan told reporters. “We do need secondary scoring. … It seems to be tough these days. But as long as the guys are getting chances, you know you’re moving forward.” Veteran Jaromir Jagr (lower body) is not expected to be able to help Thursday, but the Flames could use more from Michael Frolik (one goal) and Troy Brouwer (two points).
OVERTIME
1. Pittsburgh LW Carl Hagelin, who has not recorded a point in his last six games and has two in 13 contests, was a healthy scratch on Wednesday.
2. Backlund is two goals shy of 100 for his career and Brouwer’s next contest will be his 700th in the NHL.
3. The Flames have won their last four meetings with the Penguins but had to go to shootouts to win both in 2016-17.