Tkachuk needs to keep piling up the stats
Second-line scoring is absolutely crucial to NHL success, so left-winger Matthew Tkachuk exploding for three points was the biggest positive to come out Calgary’s 4-3 overtime loss Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Tkachuk potted a pair of goals in the latest instalment of his ongoing feud with Kings blue-liner Drew Doughty. Now, the Flames standout will aim for the Stars as Calgary (1-1-1) faces off Thursday with host Dallas.
The Stars (1-3-0) are off to a tough start, which saw coach Jim Montgomery reunite his hat trick of top forward talents — captain Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov.
However, second-liner Roope Hintz continues to clip along. The 22-year-old centre from Finland is tops on the team with four goals so far. Here are five things to watch when the Flames and Stars line up in Dallas:
1.
Tough trip
It’s been a mixed bag so far for the Flames and there are certainly no freebies on this threegame junket. The crew from Calgary hasn’t notched a victory at American Airlines Center in Dallas since December 2016. It has never won, period, at T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas. And it will conclude this trip at SAP Center in San Jose, always a hostile stop for the out-of-town guests.
2.
On the board
After three straight bummers, a surprising start for a squad that is being billed as a could-be contender for the Western Conference crown, the Stars finally collected their first win Tuesday: a 4-3 overtime triumph in Washington. Seguin buried the winner for his banged-up bunch. “That was our worst game of the year and we got a result,” Montgomery said. “It was good to get the result.”
3.
Start on time
The Flames mustered just three shots on goal — and allowed 20 — in the first period against the Kings. They also stunk in the early stages of their season opener in Colorado. “It’s alarming and disappointing at the same time,” said Calgary bench boss Bill Peters. “We have to have better starts, for sure. Guys have to find a way and we as a staff and myself as a head coach have to find a way to get guys ready to go from the drop of the puck.”
4.
Familiar face, new place
It’s going to be strange to see Joe Pavelski in green. The longtime Sharks captain signed in the summer with the Stars. The 35-year-old winger is still shooting for his first goal with his new employers, but the Flames are certainly aware of the damage he is capable of. During his 13-season stint with the Sharks, Pavelski piled up 14 markers and 48 points in 52 career contests against Calgary.
5.
This and that
The Flames lost all three meetings with the Stars last season … It appears that Flames defenceman Michael Stone, a healthy scratch for the last three games, will log his season debut in Dallas. Stone was paired with TJ Brodie for Wednesday’s practice, while Rasmus Andersson was promoted to skate alongside captain Mark Giordano.