Backlund better be ready for Bergeron
Calgary forward will have hands full with Boston star
It’s been a tough week for Mikael Backlund, who has missed two practices for maintenance.
The Flames’ second-line centre was skating Tuesday, which is a good indication he’ll be ready to go against the Bruins when Calgary hosts Boston Wednesday night.
This will be the ultimate test for Backlund, going up against one of the best lines in the game: Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak.
Bergeron versus Backlund should be an intriguing battle as the two will likely go head-to-head for most of the evening.
Here are five things to watch for in Wednesday’s game:
1.
Monahan OK
Bill Peters called Sean Monahan’s absence from Monday’s skate “precautionary ” after the 24-yearold centre blocked a shot during Saturday’s game. He was back on the ice Tuesday. “I thought he bounced back real good,” Peters said. “The report on him was real good this morning and a day (off ) went a long way.”
2.
Tkachuk back on 3M line During Tuesday’s skate, Peters had re-assembled the 3M line of Matthew Tkachuk, Backlund and Michael Frolik. This after playing Tkachuk on the top line for two periods Saturday against the Avalanche and healthy-scratching Frolik in Colorado. “We’ve got lots of options,” Peters said. “It wasn’t going our way (Saturday). Those changes we made gave us a little spark. We’ll see how we start and who is exactly available after (Tuesday).”
3.
Bracing for Bergeron Whenever the Bruins enter a building, teams brace for Bergeron, one of the best two-way centres in the game. That’s why Peters still plans on tinkering with his lineup. “We’re at home, obviously, and we control the matchups,” he said. “But it’s going to be more than a matchup against the Bergeron line. They have at least two lines there that are going to play lots. We’re going to play guys that suit them best for their skill set.”
4.
Dube questionable
While Dillon Dube skated Monday, the rookie centre is questionable for Wednesday ’s game against the Bruins. Dube had missed an Oct. 10 practice in St. Louis due to a lower-body injury suffered during the Flames’ 3-0 win over the Predators. “He is (questionable) for me,” Peters said. “He blocked a shot and has had some issues with it since that have lingered. We’d rather it get cleaned up and move forward and get a little more healthier body than we have right now.”
5.
Smith starts
The Flames will go back to Mike Smith in net. David Rittich was between the pipes for a 24-save effort and his first win of the season Saturday in Colorado as Calgary won 3-2 in overtime. Smith is 2-2-0 with a 3.56 goals-against average and an .881 save percentage. The 36-year-old saw his best performance of the year in a 43save shutout Oct. 9 in Nashville, but was pulled two nights later in St. Louis after allowing five goals on 24 shots.