Flames at Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning look to snap out of their offensive funk against the worst defensive team in the league when the Calgary Flames pay them a visit on Thursday. The Lightning, who led the league in goals last season, have managed just 12 in their last nine contests while the Flames have allowed 3.88 per game, which is 1.28 more than their average in 2014-15 and ranks last in the NHL.
Tampa Bay has lost four of its six games on home ice, including a 4-1 defeat against Buffalo on Tuesday, after going 32-8-1 at Amalie Arena last season. “We have to work our way out of it,” Lightning center Brian Boyle told the Tampa Bay Times. “Nobody is going to hand us two points.” Calgary, which dropped a 4-3 decision at Florida on Tuesday, is just as frustrated after an inspiring 2014-15 campaign in which it reached the second round of the playoffs. The Flames must get better performances in goal and from the defense corps, but they possess a capable offense that is led by Johnny Gaudreau (17 points).
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, RSN (Calgary), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)
ABOUT THE FLAMES (5-10-1): Calgary saw its modest two-game winning streak end at Florida and coach Bob Hartley told reporters the Flames “had everything set to get a big road win but didn’t capitalize on (their) chances.” David Jones registered his second two-goal effort of the season, but Gaudreau came up empty after netting three tallies in his previous three contests. Karri Ramo has started five consecutive games in net - giving up 16 goals while posting three victories - after spending time in the minors.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (7-8-2): Ben Bishop is expected back in net after sitting out Tuesday and will attempt to snap a five-game losing streak during which he has allowed a total of eight goals and no more than two in a contest. Captain Steven Stamkos notched his eighth goal of the season in the loss to Buffalo and shares the team lead in points with defenseman Victor Hedman (11). Nikita Kucherov has been the only consistent force for the Lightning of late with seven points in his last six games.
OVERTIME
1. The Lightning have won four of the last five meetings, including both games last season.
2. Calgary D Kris Russell leads the league with 56 blocked shots and the Flames were second overall through Tuesday’s contests.
3. Tampa Bay has outshot its opponent in all three losses this month while being outshot in its two November victories.