FIVE STORYLINES
1. Last time these teams met
Their first meeting was on Jan. 30 at the Scotiabank Saddledome during a rough patch for the Flames. Mike Smith made 31 saves for the Flames in a 4-2 loss. Down 2-1 late in the third period, the Golden Knights scored twice in 10 seconds. David Perron scored into an empty net to cap a three-goal outburst in 53 seconds.
2. Viva Las Vegas
The Golden Knights continue to make history. Earlier this month, they captured their 34th victory of the season, a new NHL record for most wins by a team in its inaugural season. They also became the third team to post 20 home wins in its inaugural season, joining the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80 (22) and the Los Angeles Kings in 1967-68 (20). Their home record is among the best in the NHL at 22-5-2.
3. Flames notes
With 10 goals, 27 assists and 37 points, LW Johnny Gaudreau was No. 2 in the NHL for road points, trailing only Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov (15 goals and 25 assists) heading into Tuesday’s action … Flames’ injured G Mike Smith is on Calgary’s two-game swing as he recovers from a lower body injury … G David Rittich starts versus the Golden Knights … the Flames dispatched LW Morgan Klimchuk to the AHL’s Stockton Heat.
4. Betting on the new guys
If you’re looking at doubling down on a potential Stanley Cup winner, think about betting on the Vegas Golden Knights. The expansion NHL team became the new betting favourite at the Westgate Superbook to win this year’s Stanley Cup at 9-2 odds according to the Las Vegas ReviewJournal. The Knights’ odds were as high as 500-1 before the season.
5. About the Knights
The Knights missed their chance to become the first team to reach 40 victories this season. They were also shutout for the third time this season and saw a three-game winning streak snapped with a 2-0 home ice loss to the Anaheim Ducks … Head coach Gerard Gallant is nine wins away from 200 in his career … RW/C Jonathan Marchessault leads the Golden Knights with 21 goals and 37 assists in 56 games … Vegas owns a 24-3-0 record when scoring first.