FLAMES GAME DAY

FIRST But at LINE the clip SLUMP? they’ve Hardly. been producing night has been at lately, rare a for quiet the Flames’ top unit. Johnny Gaudreau was held off the scoresheet in Saturday’s game at Colorado while Micheal Ferland accounted for the trio’s lone goal (Sean Monahan nabbed the assist). That said, they’ve combined for 35 of the team’s 67 goals. (NEAR) PERFECT PK: Prior to Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Avalanche and a powerplay marker from Mikko Rantanen, the Flames were riding a near-perfect penalty kill. They’ve allowed two power-play goals in the last five games, going 13 for 15. Overall, however, Calgary’s PK is still one of the worst in the NHL, tied with Edmonton for 29th at 73.8 per cent. VERSTEEG OUT? The update from Monday’s Flames practice was that right-wing Kris Versteeg was being evaluated for a lower-body injury. Flames coach Glen Gulutzan wouldn’t say if he would miss Tuesday’s game, but Freddie Hamilton was slotted in his spot on the fourth line with Matt Stajan and Troy Brouwer. VALIMAKI SIGHTING: Jusso Valimaki was spotted at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday and is likely to undergo rehab for a lower-body injury. The Tri-City Americans defenceman was drafted 16th overall by the Flames at the 2017 NHL draft. Early reports indicate that it shouldn’t affect his participation with Team Finland at the upcoming world junior championship tournament in Buffalo, N.Y. HOME SWEET DOME: Tuesday is the start of a four-game homestand for the Flames which sees them also host Arizona (Thursday), Edmonton (Dec. 2) and Philadelphia (Dec. 4). The Flames have a 6-5-0 home record and last played at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Nov. 13, a 7-4 win over the St. Louis Blues.

THE BIG MATCHUP: Auston Matthews vs. Mike Smith Flames goalie Mike Smith knows all about Leafs sniper Auston Matthews, having played in Arizona for six seasons before joining the Flames and hearing about the young phenom. The 20-yearold is skilled, big, and he can make plays. Meanwhile Smith, the second-busiest goalie behind Toronto netminder Frederik Andersen, loves to be challenged by the best of the best. Matthews, the reigning Calder Trophy winner, could be a handful.